Gen Z can’t believe what office culture was like in the 80s–90s after millennials spill details

Almost everything has changed in the last few decades, including our work culture. On November 14, an individual (u/proteusman1994) insisted that Millennials share the office culture of the 80s and 90s, looking back at a time almost forgotten in the digital world. From work-life balance to minimal meetings and corporate parties, people shared everything fun that has almost disappeared over time. 

1. Work-life balance

"I can’t speak for the 80’s, but in the 90’s it was awesome to go to work, do your job, leave at 5 pm, and not think about work until the next day; no carrying home a computer, no access to work email, and no cell/text or expected access after hours." — u/grey_ghost_7

2. Team bonding was real

"I've worked in an office since 1988, so much of my time was the 90s and 2000s. I will say the one thing I notice a huge change in is that fake positivity vibe. Back in those days, we weren't forced to 'be a team.' We became a team by working along with one another and getting the job done. We found our work buddies and became friends outside of work, sometimes, but again, totally on our own. Whenever there were department parties for holidays, it was because we wanted to have fun and relax after the hard work, not because we wanted to show that our team was the most amicably adjusted and 'family-like' to the CEO. I'd say it started to change in the 2000s or so." — u/historical_spell4646

3. Professionalism

"It was a lot more professional than it is today. No tattoos, only women had piercings at work, and you had to dress very professionally. Customer service was a lot more professional as well." — u/low-landscape-4609

4. Safe and relaxed work environment

"I feel sad now. Working in the 80s was far more pleasant than it is now. I had not heard of bullying or sexual harassment back then. We'd smoke at our desk and go to the pub at lunchtime. Most companies had social clubs with events and company discounts. There was often a company picnic. As others have said, the dressing standard was far more professional." — u/maidenmarewa

5. No emails

"No email. The mailroom came around and dropped off manila envelopes a few times a day. If you wanted to communicate something to a group, you had to write a memo and get it out via interoffice mail. Naturally, this mostly resulted in a slower pace of change most of the time. Not that you weren't busy, but not having email acted like a governor on how quickly things could get communicated. It also allowed you to focus more by not needing to monitor email." — u/104488361

6. Things weren't so stressful

"There weren’t insane metrics with every single job like today. A job I have now should not, by any means, be as intense and difficult to meet metrics or even just talk to customers. So much verbal policing, plus you’re on Zoom being recorded. Yes, we should be professional and polite, but most of the customer-facing jobs today are making things so much harder for everyone. Gotta make money for the shareholders blah blah blah…" — u/sobergem1982

7. Giving employees a treat

"I remember in high school, late 80s, working at a banquet hall; November, December were packed with corporate holiday parties in two different rooms. Free drinks, prime rib, bands or DJs. Employees brought spouses and dressed up. Companies actually spent money on their employees." — u/flowerelegant1900

8. Actual 'training'

"The 80s were more fun at work. The few a**holes I encountered were ok to be friends with at work. People helped each other. Companies took training their employees seriously. Some great companies started their downward spiral as finance became the preferred career path for CEO to come from. The 90s seemed to be about individuals getting ahead. Company benefits started to change, not in a good way. Layoffs and RIFs started to happen more often, and private equity started to gobble up companies and spit out people." — u/wrb2

9. Meetings weren't a thing

"I was in the music industry, so it was much more casual in dress. Everybody hated meetings, even when artists would come by the office, unless it was somebody great, which was rare." — u/cardamomgrrl

10. Losing a job wasn't that usual!

"It would be pretty good to have that type of job security." - u/radiant-tax1787

11. Documents were all handwritten

"If your workplace were very advanced in the early 80s, there would be a Wang mainframe computer with various terminals around, and secretaries would type your handwritten documents into a document in the computer. They would then print it out, you would make handwritten corrections, and they would get it back to you later. As an executive or analyst, it was considered below you to touch the Wang terminal, but I learned to use it anyway because the aggravation of waiting 2 days to get a fix on one typo was just too much." — u/lotusgrowsfrommud

12. Mini bars in offices

"I've heard stories about back then, where I work now. There were smoking rooms, and some people had mini bars in their offices until the early 90s. More happy hours, too. It just seemed more loose and relaxed, although I can't imagine smoking all day. Even being a former smoker." — u/renob78

13. Fax machines

"I'm surprised no one has mentioned the fax machine yet. In the early '90s, I can’t tell you how many rolls of that flimsy fax paper we burned through! Besides bike couriers, this was the only way to send a written document quickly." — u/false-ad-3420

14. Concern about getting tasks done

"I smoked at my desk in the 80s. We had very little corporate BS; it was all about just getting the job done." — u/sexyemu

15. Corporate holidays and bonuses

"It was a completely different world back then. Office windows opened, managers had offices with doors, and staff had cubicles with tall walls. We were all friendly with each other, held holiday potlucks, and had an annual company picnic. I think more companies gave out Christmas bonuses, and believe it or not, many private employers gave out holiday turkeys. We were on the team because we wanted to be." — u/throwingabundance

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