The ’90s were a time of big changes and unique trends in the workplace. Back then, many things that seemed perfectly normal are now considered pretty outdated. If you worked in an office during that decade, you might remember some of the odd habits and tools that were a part of daily life.
In this list, we’ll look at some of these old office practices and see why they wouldn’t fit in today’s modern work environment. It’s a fun way to see how much things have evolved and what’s changed for the better.
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Lack of Diversity and Inclusion Policies
Back then, many workplaces didn’t focus much on diversity and inclusion. Offices often lacked variety in their workforce and didn’t have many programs to promote equality. Today, companies are expected to prioritize diversity and inclusion. Workplaces now have policies and initiatives to make sure everyone feels welcome and valued. This reflects a broader commitment to fairness and respect.
Manual Time Tracking with Punch Cards
Back then, many offices used punch cards to track employees’ working hours. Employees would clock in and out by physically punching a card into a time clock machine. This system could be prone to errors and was quite basic. Today, most workplaces use digital time-tracking systems or automated software to record hours more accurately and efficiently.
Relying on Fax Machines
Back in the ’90s, fax machines were everywhere. If you needed to send a document quickly, you’d use the fax machine and hope it went through without any issues. People would hover by the machine, waiting for their fax to come through. Now, with the rise of emails and digital document sharing, fax machines are nearly obsolete. Most offices have done away with them entirely, as it’s much faster and easier to send documents online.
Using Rolodexes for Contacts
In the ’90s, Rolodexes were a key office accessory. These spinning card files were filled with contact details and were kept right on desks for easy access. Employees would flip through them to find phone numbers and addresses. Today, most people use digital contact lists on their phones or computers.
Long Lunch Breaks
In the ’90s, long lunch breaks were common. Employees would head out for a leisurely meal, sometimes spending an hour or more catching up with colleagues. Nowadays, with the fast pace of work, many people eat lunch at their desks or take shorter breaks. The focus has shifted to staying productive and keeping up with the demands of a busy workday.
Paper-Based Workflows
Offices in the ’90s were filled with paper. Files were stored in huge cabinets, and desks were often covered in stacks of documents. Memos and reports were printed out and physically passed around. Today, most offices have moved to digital systems. Documents are stored online, and people work with digital files, reducing the clutter and making it easier to manage and access information.
Office Landlines for Personal Calls
In the ’90s, it was quite common for employees to use the office landline for personal calls. Many people would chat with friends or family during work hours, and it wasn’t unusual to see personal phone conversations happening right in the middle of the office. Nowadays, with the rise of personal cell phones and stricter workplace policies, all communication is logged and monitored.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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