Office rules have been changing a lot over the years – from dress codes to working from home, the workspace is not what it used to be.
Today, we have mostly entered the world of flexibility, respect, and understanding, but it was not always like that.
Here are some totally weird job rules we thought were normal back in the ’80s and ’90s.
1. Smoking at Your Desk Was Totally Allowed
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Today, if you want to take a cigarette break, you need to leave your desk and go outside. But this was not always the case. If you wanted to smoke, you could do it right at your desk.
Some offices even provided ashtrays right next to your phone. Back then, nobody cared about violating health codes, fire codes, and common sense.
This practice was probably very beneficial for smokers, but today, more and more people are aware of its negative effects.
2. Pantyhose and Heels Were Basically the Dress Code Law for Women
Imagine having to wear pantyhose during the hottest days of the year. While even today, it is not okay to wear mini skirts, bare legs were considered “unprofessional.”
Many women had to wear uncomfortable outfits just to be taken seriously and professionally.
Now, offices are a bit more flexible (and merciful), as you are allowed to wear almost anything you want as long as it does not break the dress code.
3. You Couldn’t Leave Until Your Boss Left First
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Even if your shift ended, you had to stay because you did not want to risk being perceived as disloyal.
It was some sort of game of corporate chicken that no one enjoyed playing (except the boss).
Now, in most offices, clocking out on time is often seen as healthy boundary-setting, and it respects the worker’s personal time.
4. Lunch Breaks Were for Running Errands – Not Actually Eating
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Back in the day, workers were expected to grab a sandwich, visit children, grab dry cleaning or groceries… all in 30 minutes.
If you wanted to take an hour to simply rest and eat, it was considered lazy and irresponsible, even indulgent.
Today, you can use your lunch break however you want, and even include self-care if needed. Back then, that concept was unimaginable.
5. Calling in Sick Meant You Were Weak – or Faking It
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Imagine having the worst flu of your life, and still having to go to the office. Sick days were rarely used, and you had to be half-dead to be taken seriously.
Taking sick leaves meant you were weak, as there was pride in “pushing through” a cold at the office. Even if you took them, you would feel guilty for doing so.
Today, that stance feels neglectful and dangerous, so sick days are a normal part of every office culture.
6. Bosses Could Yell – and It Was Just A Normal Part Of Your Workday
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Imagine having to listen to your boss yell every day and still being expected to do your job as if nothing is happening. Public scoldings, door-slamming, and aggressive phone-slamming were not unusual – just part of the culture.
Some bosses were even encouraged to do it because it was considered “tough leadership,” not workplace harassment.
Today, these outbursts are mostly not allowed and would likely end in an HR report.
7. Office Birthdays Required a Cake and a Song, Every. Single. Time.
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You simply had to sing a birthday song for your colleagues and join the party even if you hardly knew them. This meant singing, eating the cake, and staying after the celebration to chit-chat.
If you did not, you were considered antisocial and simply…weird.
However, today, these parties are not mandatory, and there is no need to connect to people you barely know (which is not always a good thing).
8. Faxing Was Practically a Sacred Ritual
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Sending a fax involved a lot: you would have to wait in line, pray it went through, and call to confirm. It was a complicated process that had to be done daily.
Also, imagine the scenario where you loaded the paper wrong or sent it upside down – it was not fun at all.
This, among many other technical difficulties, was just a part of your normal working day, and everyone had to learn how to be patient. You simply could not do anything too fast, even if you wanted it.
9. Casual Friday Meant… Khakis, and That’s It
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What we consider casual today was not even close to what it was in the ’80s and ’90s.
If you even considered shorts, leggings, or sneakers in the office, you would be sent right back home.
Casual meant something formal but a bit more comfortable, a slightly shorter heel, and linen trousers. Still, it was far away from today’s WFH outfits.
