Two in five Aussies admit to doing something controversial when working from home, from napping to intimate time with partners
Since the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a surge in Aussies who work from home, but research has found many people are engaging in controversial acts – from housework to hanky panky – on company time.
The Finder survey of 1,004 respondents revealed two in five (39 per cent) admit to doing something controversial when working from home.
Nearly one in 10 Aussies (9 per cent) admit to getting intimate with a partner while working from home, many are mixing personal life with work with one in five (20 per cent) doing household chores on the clock, 18 per cent watch movies, 13 per cent nap, and 12 per cent juggle childcare responsibilities.
Almost one in 10 (9 per cent) have even job-hunted during work hours, while 7 per cent have snuck off for a surf or a round of golf.
A further 6 per cent confessed to working a second job while working from home.
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What Aussies are getting up to while working from home. Picture: Finder
Gen Y were the most likely to get frisky during work hours, with 16 per cent admitting to it in the past year of the survey in September 2025.
Personal finance specialist at Finder Taylor Blackburn said this might have something to do with organisations urging workers to return to the office.
“Intimate time at home would not be what most employers mean when they allow flexible work for increased productivity,” Mr Blackburn said.
“Hybrid and remote working has had a huge impact on work life balance, but some are taking that to the extremes.
“Most salaried employees aren’t confined to working nine to five, and often life – or in some cases creating life – gets in the way.
“Most people use flexible work to balance family and life admin, but a surprising number are pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable during office hours.”
13 per cent of Aussies admit to taking a nap while working from home
“Remote work is meant to boost efficiency and wellbeing, but for a slice of the workforce it’s blurring the lines between personal and paid time,” he said.
“If employees want hybrid work to stick around, they’ll need to prove they can stay focused on the job – not on side hustles, surfboards, or sex.
“Workers are entitled to a lunch break, so best to turn the laptop off and attend to any non-work activities during that time.”
While realestate.com.au searches for “study” are currently down 10 per cent YoY, there are still many buyers who seek work from home features from study nooks to additional rooms when looking for their next home.
Aurum Advisory Co-founder and Senior Buyers Agent Leon Jacques said more than half of clients want study facilities these days.
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One in five (20 per cent) Aussies admit to doing household chores on the clock
“I think pretty much everyone now wants a study, if they have the budget for a house with enough bedrooms for everyone, they definitely want a study on top of that as well,” he said.
“Those with bigger budgets definitely an extra room.
“I’ve had many clients where both the husband and wife want to work from home as well, so we need almost two spaces.
“One might work in a second bedroom and one might work in a study, but work from home is definitely a big part of what we’re seeing people do now.”
Mr Jacques said Covid was the big game changer, but almost everyone spends some time working from home these day whether it’s a study nook or quiet space.
“It’s just a space for a laptop and privacy,” he said.
“So they can have conversations without disturbing the other partner or they can have a quiet space where they can work.”