To think working from your sofa is unprofessional?

[LajesticVantrashell]

Like most people, I’ve been working at home now for close to six months along with the rest of my colleagues. We have a spare room for an office, so I’ve had to set up in our bedroom working from my vanity table/desk where I normally do my make-up.

My colleague, so as not to drip feed, earns considerably more than me (think £30k more) and lives alone paying a nominal amount of rent in relation to her salary (I know this because she told me). Yet, she works from her sofa every day. Yes, none of my business, she can do what she wants but she’s constantly moaning about her back and being uncomfortable.

Yesterday, we had a meeting with a potential client and we all dialled in. We all had certain bit we needed to present and my colleague was again, sitting on her sofa with her laptop on her knees. This meant the screen was wobbling about everywhere as she scrabbled to reach her notes around her. To me, it just looked completely unprofessional and I’ll admit, it really annoyed me.

So AIBU to think that on a high earning salary, with enough space in your living room (because I can see from the Teams calls) and after six months with potentially long term home working being suggested, that she should invest in a bloody desk?!

I’m confused as to why if you have a spare room office you have to set up in your bedroom completely misses point

@Shell4429 yes I asked this too, neither her or dp are using the office.

I genuinely wouldn't care what I saw in the background on any calls.

I think you can put filters on anyway, but don't know howhow-to myself

‘I earn around 30k but have very little money to spend once I take out debts, rent, bills, cost of running my car, food bill, tax, etc. If she's single than she covers all that herself, and it's a lot’

@Margerine78 I interpreted it that the colleague earns 30 grand more than OP, rather than earns 30 grand. That said, I agree. It all depends on outgoings and living expenses. I earn over 30 grand but my DH doesn’t. We pool our wages and split everything 50/50 so what seems like a pretty good wage averages out as an okay wage. We cover all our outgoings but we’re not exactly rolling in it. We’ve had to hold back on buying an office chair as we paid out for a desk and new shoes for our DS this month.

I did the first 5 months from bed because DC would mob me with demands every time I showed my face downstairs.
I only graduated to the kitchen table hen they went back to school.

@Thisgroupneverceasestoamazeme

‘I earn around 30k but have very little money to spend once I take out debts, rent, bills, cost of running my car, food bill, tax, etc. If she's single than she covers all that herself, and it's a lot’

@Margerine78 I interpreted it that the colleague earns 30 grand more than OP, rather than earns 30 grand. That said, I agree. It all depends on outgoings and living expenses. I earn over 30 grand but my DH doesn’t. We pool our wages and split everything 50/50 so what seems like a pretty good wage averages out as an okay wage. We cover all our outgoings but we’re not exactly rolling in it. We’ve had to hold back on buying an office chair as we paid out for a desk and new shoes for our DS this month.

Ah, my mistake. I have a stinking cold and read that wrong! It's crazy where the money goes, I am always chasing my tail financially. That's why I thought it wasn't that odd the colleague might not have had money to buy a table.

I've been WFH since March and work from my sofa. I bought a foldable table from Ebay and have my work and laptop on that. Yes, it's messed up my back and yes, it's not comfortable sitting there hour after hour five days a week.

I don't think you should concern yourself over colleagues work/home set up. As long as she's doing her work, that's what counts. Her salary and space in her home is her business and no-one else's. You have no idea what her circumstances are as people's lives are private.