The short answer
Dream interpretation is not prediction and not diagnosis. This article separates what sleep research observes from what popular interpretation associates with the theme.
Dreaming about work or your boss does not announce a layoff, a promotion or a conflict. The dream tends to appear in weeks of heavy pressure, deadlines, changes at the company or when you take work worries to bed. Dreaming that you work all night is also common among people who sleep little or work shifts.
Read also: Dreams about being late or failing a test and Dreaming about a fight or argument.
What research observes
The continuity hypothesis came precisely from studies comparing what people did while awake with what they dreamed: activities we spend many hours on, like work, often appear in dreams, and worries appear even more.
That is why people going through a job change, an interview or conflict with coworkers often have work as a recurring setting.
Source: Schredl and Hofmann, Consciousness and Cognition, 2003.
The most reported variations
| Scene | What it usually comes with |
|---|---|
| Working all night in the dream | Tiredness, trouble switching off |
| Getting fired | Insecurity, fear of not coping |
| Arguing with your boss | Tension, a sense of unfairness |
| Being late for work | A tight deadline, pressure |
| Being promoted or praised | Wanting recognition |
If the dream is about a fight, see dreaming about a fight or argument. If it is about being late, see dreams about being late or failing a test.
When to seek help
Dreaming about work is common and harmless. If it turns into a recurring nightmare and you wake up frightened several times a week, it is worth talking to a health professional: see how to have fewer nightmares.
Source: Morgenthaler et al., Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2018.
What dream books say
Livro do Sonho, a popular Brazilian dream dictionary, reads the boss through the relationship: arguing with them would be a sign of insecurity, making peace would point to a possible promotion, and being the boss in the dream to money you had written off coming back to you.
Freud described dream books as a kind of dictionary that translates each image into another with a fixed meaning. Artemidorus of Daldis, author of the oldest dream interpretation book that has survived, advised looking at the dreamer's life before interpreting. If you see the dream as a message, both paths suggest the same thing: ask what this image brings to mind in your life right now. See dream meanings according to science and culture.
Source: Livro do Sonho, Brazilian dream dictionary; Freud, Die Traumdeutung, 1900.
What folklore says
In folk readings, dreaming about your boss is often read as a sign of a job change, and dreaming you were fired, the other way around, as a sign of stability. The readings contradict each other and have no evidence. If work has often been costing you sleep, it is worth looking at your routine and seeking support if needed. See dream meanings according to science and culture.
Sources
- Schredl M, Hofmann F. Continuity between waking activities and dream activities. Consciousness and Cognition, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1053-8100(02)00072-7
- Nielsen TA et al. The Typical Dreams of Canadian University Students. Dreaming, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:drem.0000003144.40929.0b
- Morgenthaler TI et al. Position Paper for the Treatment of Nightmare Disorder in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Position Paper. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2018. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7178
- Freud S. The Interpretation of Dreams (Die Traumdeutung), 1900. Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66048
- Livro do Sonho. Sonhar com chefe. https://www.livrodosonho.com/significado-dos-sonhos-sonhar-com-chefe-1218.htm
Frequently asked questions
Does dreaming I got fired mean I will be?
No. The dream usually reflects insecurity or pressure.
Why do I dream about work every night?
Daily activities and worries show up in dreams, especially in times of pressure.
Does dreaming about my boss mean something?
It usually reflects tension, pressure or a wish for recognition.
How can I stop dreaming about work?
Building a gap between the end of the workday and bedtime usually helps.
