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12 Things Boomers Did at Work That Would Get You Fired Today

Workplace norms have shifted dramatically, and many habits common decades ago could cause serious issues in modern offices.

By Kristin Hitchcock

Edited by Andrea Basse

Updated Dec. 22, 2025

Office life used to look wildly different. If you dropped someone from a 1985 cubicle farm into a modern workplace, half their everyday habits would trigger an HR email before lunch. Most of these behaviors weren't ill-intentioned, but they'd land someone in serious trouble now.

Let's take a look at the workplace quirks that didn't survive the decades, especially if you're trying to lower your financial stress by keeping your job secure.

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Smoking at your desk

Ask anyone who worked in the 70s or 80s, and they'll tell you stories about offices looking like low-budget noir film sets:smoke drifting through shared workspaces, ashtrays balanced on file cabinets, and the faint smell of burnt coffee clinging to everything.

Today, beyond the obvious health concerns, indoor smoking rules are strict and generally enforced. Lighting up inside would create both a safety issue and a compliance nightmare.

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Drinking alcohol at lunch

Boomers still joke about the "three-martini lunch," but many aren't exaggerating. Long, boozy midday meals were considered normal relationship-building events in certain industries.

Fast-forward to today, and returning to work tipsy (even slightly) could cause serious performance concerns. Employers tend to expect a clearer head after lunch, not someone trying to remember which spreadsheet they opened.

Making off-color jokes or comments

A lot of humor that once floated around offices simply wouldn't fly today, and for good reason. Many workplaces in previous decades tolerated comments that would now be recognized as uncomfortable or discriminatory.

Modern HR teams have clearer boundaries and stronger protections in place. Even one poorly phrased remark might create a situation someone never intended.

Giving uninvited hugs or shoulder squeezes

For years, casual physical contact was treated as harmless: "just being friendly." But what felt normal in the past could cross someone's boundaries today. Modern expectations lean heavily toward personal space and consent. Even well-meaning gestures, like a pat on the shoulder, might be misread or unwelcome, and many workplaces outline these expectations explicitly.

Leaving sensitive information lying around

Before digital everything, paperwork lived in stacks on desks, in unlocked drawers, and sometimes in literal piles on the floor. Data security wasn't top of mind. Today, a stray customer file or unlocked computer screen could create compliance issues or legal concerns. Employers expect workers to protect information intentionally, not casually.

Making personal calls on company phones

Back when switchboards transferred calls to individual desks, personal conversations often stretched longer than anyone likes to admit. It wasn't unusual to chat about weekend plans in the middle of a slow Tuesday afternoon.

With digital tracking and expectations around productivity, long personal calls could now raise eyebrows quickly.

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Coming in late (or leaving early) without telling anyone

Boomer-era offices often took a trust-based approach; if you were generally reliable, sliding in ten minutes late wasn't a big deal. And if you left a bit early? You'd "make it up tomorrow." Today, timekeeping and transparency matter more, especially for compliance and payroll accuracy. Disappearing without a heads-up can create friction fast.

Ignoring emails or messages

Early workplaces relied on paper memos, which meant communication moved slowly. No one expected an immediate response. That habit doesn't translate well to modern work. Delayed replies can stall projects or create confusion.

Even if you're genuinely busy, going quiet might prompt follow-ups you weren't planning on.

Raising your voice in a meeting

Decades ago, heated conversations were sometimes seen as passion or drive, just part of getting things done. Modern workplaces put a bigger emphasis on emotional intelligence and thoughtful communication.

A sharp tone or raised voice could quickly be interpreted as hostility rather than enthusiasm, even if that's not what someone meant.

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Treating secretaries like personal assistants

Older offices often relied heavily on secretaries who handled everything from scheduling to coffee runs to the occasional dry-cleaning pickup.

Roles have evolved significantly since then. Administrative professionals today have structured responsibilities and clearer boundaries, and personal errands aren't part of the job.

Saving everything on local drives

If you worked through the floppy-disk era, you probably remember praying nothing crashed. Many Boomers learned to save files wherever they could: desktop folders, local servers, USB sticks. But with modern data protocols and collaborative tools, going off-platform isn't just inconvenient; it can break workflows or risk data loss.

Stepping out without being reachable

Before mobile phones, leaving the office meant you were truly gone. If someone needed you, they waited.

Today, disappearing without any way to reach you can complicate projects or delay decisions. It doesn't mean being glued to your phone; it just means offering some visibility so others aren't stuck.

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Bottom line

Workplace culture has shifted dramatically, and many habits that felt ordinary a few decades ago would create serious issues today. Understanding how expectations have evolved can help workers avoid unintentional missteps and navigate modern office dynamics with more confidence.

According to the CDC, indoor smoking bans didn't become widespread until the mid-2000s, meaning some employees were still working alongside indoor cigarette smoke far more recently than most people assume. Staying aware of how norms continue to change can keep you on the right track to build wealth by protecting your career and reputation.

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