What Would a 90s Office Worker Think of Today’s Digital Workplaces?

Okay, so picture this: it's 1997. You're rocking a beige suit, your hair is gelled to perfection, and your biggest tech worry is whether the fax machine will jam. Now, fast forward to 2024. Let's be real, the changes are mind-blowing.

I mean, where do we even start? Back then, our "digital workplace" was a desktop computer the size of a small appliance, a rotary phone that probably had more germs than a public toilet, and maybe, just maybe, a shared printer that constantly needed a paper jam rescue mission. Email was a novelty, and the internet? Dial-up's screeching symphony was the soundtrack to our lives. Remember that agonizing wait for a webpage to load? The struggle was real.

Now? We've got laptops thinner than my old high school yearbooks, smartphones that are basically tiny computers, and cloud storage that's like having an infinite filing cabinet in your pocket. We video chat, use project management software that would have made our old bosses' heads explode, and collaborate on documents in real-time. It’s insane!

I bet a 90s office worker would be completely baffled. They'd probably ask: "What's Slack? Is that some kind of new office supply?" or "Is Zoom some kind of futuristic video game?" They'd be amazed by the sheer speed and connectivity, but also maybe a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information at our fingertips. Information overload is a real thing, you know?

And don't even get me started on remote work. Working from home? Unthinkable in the 90s! The concept alone would probably give them a heart attack. Now it's the norm for many of us. I can't decide if that's progress or chaos, but it's definitely different!

But you know what? Despite all the technological leaps, some things remain the same. We still have meetings (although now they're often virtual), deadlines, and that ever-present feeling of needing another cup of coffee. Human nature doesn't change that much, does it?

So, what do you think? Would a 90s office worker be impressed or terrified by today's digital workplace? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Have you tried working in a modern digital workplace? Would love to hear your take!