27 Once Commonplace Office Practices That Would Be Unthinkable in Today’s Workplace
The evolution of the modern workplace has been remarkable. From the typewriter era to the digital age, countless office practices have come and gone, with many once-common practices now seeming antiquated or even absurd by today’s standards. Here are 28 such practices that were once commonplace but would be unthinkable in today’s workplace.
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.
Typewriters
Once the cornerstone of office productivity, typewriters’ clacking keys filled workplaces with rhythmic sound. However, the advent of computers and word-processing software rendered these mechanical devices obsolete, relegating them to the annals of history as relics of a simpler time, where typing was a tangible skill mastered by few but admired by many.
Carbon Copies
Before digital replication, carbon copy paper allowed multiple copies to be created simultaneously. However, the messy process often resulted in smudges and imperfections, making legibility a regular concern. With the advent of digital duplication methods, such as email attachments and cloud storage, the era of carbon copies has faded into obscurity.
Rolodexes
A fixture on office desks for decades, the Rolodex was the go-to tool for storing and organizing contact information. With a flick of the wrist, one could effortlessly navigate through a sea of alphabetized cards, each bearing the name and details of a business contact or associate. However, the rise of digital address books and contact management software has rendered the Rolodex obsolete.
Fax Machines
Once hailed as revolutionary devices for instant document transmission, fax machines were staples of office communication for decades. However, the advent of email, digital scanning, and electronic signatures have rendered fax machines relics of a bygone era, consigning them to the bin of outdated technology.
Smoking in the Office
In decades past, the pervasive aroma of cigarette smoke wafted
through many office environments, as smoking was not only permitted but often encouraged. Designated smoking areas provided respite for employees seeking a nicotine fix, while ashtrays adorned desks as commonplace accessories. Today, it is unthinkable.
Dress Codes
Formal business attire once reigned supreme in many office environments, with suits, ties, and dresses considered mandatory attire for professional appearances. Employees adhered to strict dress codes, eschewing casual wear and favoring polished and professional attire. However, as workplace culture evolved and attitudes towards dress became more relaxed, many companies abandoned rigid dress codes in favor of more casual and flexible attire policies.
Punch Clocks
In the pre-digital era, punch clocks were ubiquitous fixtures used to track employee attendance and hours worked. Employees would insert their time cards into the machine and “punch in” upon arrival and “punch out” at the end of their shift, ensuring accurate work hours recording for payroll purposes.
Paper Memos
Interoffice communication relied heavily on paper memos before the age of email and instant messaging. These written messages were circulated through internal mail systems, and employees waited to receive important announcements, updates, and directives.
Desk Phones
Once indispensable tools for workplace communication, desk phones were fixtures on nearly every office desk, providing a direct line of communication for employees. The distinctive ring of a desk phone and the familiar routine of answering and making calls were integral parts of daily office life. However, with smartphones and the rise of remote work, desk phones have become increasingly obsolete.
Cubicles
Once hailed as symbols of workplace efficiency and privacy, cubicles were staple features of office environments, providing employees with dedicated spaces for focused work. However, as workplace dynamics and preferences shifted towards collaboration and open communication, many companies have abandoned cubicles in favor of open floor plans and shared workspaces.
Paper Filing Systems
In the pre-digital era, paper filing systems were the backbone of office organization, with mountains of documents stored in rows of filing cabinets. Each file was meticulously labeled and sorted, creating a labyrinth of information that required careful navigation.
Rolodex Partie
Networking events once revolved around exchanging business cards, with professionals attending Rolodex parties to update their contact lists. These gatherings provided opportunities for business connections to be forged and relationships to be nurtured, all while expanding one’s professional network. However, after digital
networking platforms like LinkedIn and Rolodex parties have become obsolete.
In-Person Meetings
Face-to-face meetings were once the primary mode of communication for discussing business matters and making decisions. Executives and team members would gather in conference rooms, exchanging ideas and feedback in real-time. However, with video conferencing technology, in-person meetings have become less common and replaced by virtual meetings.
Water Cooler Chitchat
Casual conversations around the water cooler were once a staple of office culture, providing employees with opportunities to bond and socialize during breaks. These impromptu gatherings often led to the exchange of ideas, the sharing of stories, and the building of camaraderie among colleagues. However, with the rise of remote work and virtual communication, water cooler chitchat has become a relic of the past, replaced by virtual chats and messaging platforms that enable employees to stay connected and engaged.
Office Mailrooms
In the era before email and digital communication, office mailrooms were bustling hubs of activity, processing, and distributing incoming and outgoing mail. Mailroom clerks sorted letters and packages, ensuring timely delivery to recipients within the organization. However, as digital communication methods became more prevalent, the volume of physical mail declined.
Desktop Calculators
Once indispensable tools for number crunching and mathematical calculations, desktop calculators were fixtures on office desks. Employees relied on these electronic devices to perform complex calculations, saving time and reducing errors in their work. Today, we all have complex calculators on our phones!
Library Card Catalogs
Before the internet revolutionized access to information, library card catalogs were essential tools for locating books and resources within library collections. These meticulously organized catalogs provided detailed listings of available materials, allowing patrons to search for specific titles or topics of interest. However, with the digitization of library collections and search engines like Google Scholar, library card catalogs have become obsolete.
White-Out
In the days before word processing software made editing documents a breeze, mistakes on paper documents were corrected using correction fluid commonly known as “white-out.” Whether it was a typo, a misspelled word, or a formatting error, white-out provided a quick and easy way to make corrections by covering up the mistake.
Bulletin Boards
Physical bulletin boards once served as central hubs for posting announcements, notices, and memos in office environments. Employees gathered around bulletin boards to read updates, check schedules, and stay informed about important events.
Rolodex Dusting
Regular maintenance of Rolodex contact cards was once necessary to keep contact information current and organized. Employees would periodically review their Rolodexes, removing outdated cards and adding new ones to ensure accuracy and completeness. However, digital contact management tools and address books that automatically sync and update contact information today.
Dictaphones
Before voice-to-text technology and digital recording devices, dictaphones were indispensable tools for recording spoken notes and memos in the office. Executives and professionals dictated their thoughts and instructions into a handheld device, which was then transcribed by a secretary or transcriptionist.
Typing Pools
Before personal computers and word processing software, typing pools were integral parts of office environments, staffed by teams of typists responsible for transcribing handwritten documents and manuscripts. These skilled professionals operated typewriters precisely and quickly, ensuring that documents were typed accurately and efficiently.
Reference Books
In the pre-digital age, office shelves were lined with reference books such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases, providing valuable resources for research and information retrieval. These weighty tomes served as trusted companions for professionals
seeking answers to questions or clarification on various topics.
Handwritten Correspondence
Before the era of email and instant messaging, handwritten letters and notes were the primary means of business communication. Professionals would craft carefully worded missives to express gratitude, extend invitations, or convey important information to colleagues and clients.
Physical Document Distribution
In the days before digital document sharing, distributing physical copies of documents was a labor-intensive process. Employees would print multiple copies, collate them, and distribute them to recipients via interoffice mail or courier services.
Office Secretaries
Once indispensable members of office teams, secretaries played crucial roles in providing administrative support to executives and professionals. Secretaries were the backbone of office operations, from managing schedules and correspondence to organizing meetings and filing documents. However, with digital technology and automation, many
traditional secretarial tasks have been streamlined or eliminated, leading to a decline in office secretaries.
Desk Reference Guides
Before the era of digital documentation, desk reference guides were essential tools for professionals seeking quick answers to common questions or problems. From style guides and technical manuals to industry-specific handbooks, these reference guides provided valuable information.
