Many things about our work life have changed significantly over the last few decades, but office culture has changed the most. Back in the day, the office was a different place, with many behaviors being common that are now seen as old-fashioned or even controversial. To illustrate, here are some of them that are totally unacceptable today.
Drinking Alcohol During Work Hours
Along with smoking, it was once normal for employees to have a drink or two during lunch or at their desks, especially in the ‘80s. Alcohol wasn’t just a staple at office celebrations but often even during regular work hours. Nowadays, most workplaces have strict policies against consuming alcohol during work hours to maintain professionalism, and it’s easy to see why.
Using Physical File Cabinets
Before computers came along, offices used to rely heavily on physical file cabinets to store important documents. Employees spent considerable time filing and retrieving paper records, but with the advent of digital storage, physical file cabinets have become largely obsolete, making way for more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
Making Personal Calls on Company Phones
It was once pretty normal to use the office phone for personal calls, spending company time on personal conversations, and sometimes even tying up phone lines. In the current office setting, personal calls on company phones are generally discouraged, with employees expected to use their own devices for such purposes, and even then, only on lunch breaks.
Ignoring Dress Codes
Most people miss the days when employees dressed in casual clothes at work without consequence. Jeans, t-shirts, and even shorts were common sights, but these days, most offices have a dress code policy that aligns with their professional image. With that being said, things are starting to change, with iNews reporting that many modern offices are once again ditching dress codes.
Smoking Indoors
If you were working during or before the mid-‘90s when it was banned, you’d remember when offices were filled with cigarette smoke—it wasn’t pleasant. Smoking at one’s desk used to be standard practice, with colleagues lighting up during meetings, calls with clients, or any other time they felt like doing so. The smell of tobacco permeated office spaces, something that is completely unimaginable to Gen Z workers of today.
Casual Sexist Comments
Another unpleasantry that we really don’t miss from offices of the past is casual sexist comments. Back then, comments that belittled or objectified women were once a common aspect of office banter, brushed off as “harmless fun.” These days, sexist comments are recognized as harmful and inappropriate and could easily get you fired.
Loud Typing on Typewriters
One old office problem that we couldn’t replicate today if we wanted to was the clatter of typewriters, especially when someone was a loud typer. Typing required significant force, resulting in loud, disruptive sounds, but some people simply had no shame. Thankfully, this annoyance is long gone, as modern offices have long since traded typewriters for silent keyboards and digital devices.
Casual Physical Contact
These days, most offices have policies against unwanted physical contact, but it wasn’t always like this. Going back just a decade ago, patting someone on the back, touching their shoulder, or other casual physical contact was common. Generally, this was okay, but sometimes it could get really uncomfortable, so most people are happy that personal boundaries are respected more rigorously in modern offices.
Displaying Inappropriate Posters
For some strange reason, pinning up risqué or offensive posters at workstations was once tolerated or even encouraged, despite the fact that these decorations often made the workplace feel unwelcoming. We’re not sure why this was ever allowed, but nowadays, modern offices enforce strict guidelines on appropriate workplace decorations to foster an inclusive environment.
Blatant Favoritism
Another unacceptable office behavior that was once seen as normal was how managers would openly favor certain employees over others. This normalized favoritism led to a toxic work environment and reduced morale, so thankfully, contemporary management practices emphasize fairness and transparency, ensuring all employees are treated equally and are recognized for their contributions.
Long Lunch Breaks
It was pretty normal back in the day to take excessively long lunch breaks—even the boss’ favorite employees would do it. We’d extend our lunch hours significantly beyond the allotted time, sometimes even hitting up bars during this time. Today, strict adherence to designated break times is expected to maintain productivity and fairness in the workplace, which is fair enough.
Office Gossip
Thankfully, modern offices promote a culture of professionalism and respect, discouraging gossip and encouraging direct and honest communication. However, spreading rumors and engaging in gossip was normal just a couple of decades ago. This behavior often led to strained relationships and a lack of trust, making the office feel more like a school playground than a workspace.
Not Acknowledging Emails
When emails first came about, many people chose to ignore them or delay their responses, as they knew that more work would come their way once they replied. Nowadays, this would be seen as rude, and the colleague on the other end would quickly question the delay. This is probably for the best, as the email delays of the past led to tediously drawn-out workflows.
Overtime Without Compensation
Thankfully, if you work overtime in a modern office, paid overtime is pretty much guaranteed. Young workers take this for granted; back in our day, expecting employees to work overtime without additional pay was routine. Naturally, this led to workers feeling taken advantage of, burnt out, and resentful, so it’s no wonder why they put a stop to it.
Lack of Diversity
Offices used to be predominantly homogenous, with little emphasis on diversity and inclusion. This lack of representation created barriers for many, even making it difficult for people of certain races, religions, or genders to get a job at all. Today, workplaces prioritize diversity, and implementing policies and practices that support a varied and inclusive workforce, which everyone can agree is positive.
Taking Office Supplies Home
While nobody ever talked about it, taking office supplies home for personal use was once very common. This behavior, though minor, added up to significant losses for companies, which constantly had to replace supplies. Today, offices enforce strict policies on the use of office supplies, emphasizing integrity and accountability. Even if you tried to steal stationary, you’d probably be caught on CCTV.
Yelling at Employees
It was shockingly common for your boss to raise their voice at their employees when working in an old-school office, and most people accepted this as a standard way to assert authority. Unsurprisingly, this approach created hostile and stressful work environments, so thankfully, respectful and constructive communication is encouraged in the office and often even enforced by law.
Excessive Personal Decor
If you weren’t hanging up inappropriate posters in your office cubicle back in the day, you certainly at least had personal decor items scattered all over your desk. This was a very standard sight, and honestly, we miss it. It was a nice way to personalize your space and make work a little more comfortable, although it was undeniably distracting.
Ignoring Mental Health
These days, mental health is a big part of company culture within most offices, but if you mentioned it in an old office, you would receive looks of confusion or anger. Mental health was a taboo topic back then, and believe it or not, many people didn’t even know what it was. This is by far one of the most positive changes we have seen in offices over the years.