Possible Clues:

• Shiftless sorts
• Time killers
• They make a slider out of work
• If there was work in the bed, they'd sleep on the floor with loungers
• They are partial to a good loaf
• The unemployed perpetrate devilries — I've kept clear
• Intermediate gears none would wish to engage
• Clock watchers and couch potatoes
• The work-shy?
• Chided solemn nurses at centre, calling them layabouts