Office relics such as fax machines, Rolodexes and bulky filing cabinets have been consigned to work-life history. A survey of 2,000 employed adults revealed that many were more than happy to bid farewell to landline desk phones, business card holders and even floppy disks.
Others were glad to see the back of correction fluid, hole punches and paper diaries or planners, which once dominated their desks. Now, 52 per cent use their smartphone as a fully-fledged portable office, with 62 per cent stating it has enhanced their ability to multitask at work.
Annika Bizon, from Samsung, which commissioned the research to mark the launch of the AI business enhanced Galaxy Z Fold7 Enterprise Edition, that aims to give workers the ability to work the way they want, said: “Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the modern office looks nothing like it did 25 years ago.
“Today’s professionals don’t work in one place or on one schedule, and their tech shouldn’t be confined to any restraints either.”
The study also found that 50 per cent of workers start their day on the commute when they travel into work. And when they are in the office, this has also undergone modernisation.
Offices now feature comfortable seating areas (41 per cent), relaxation spaces (39 per cent) and collaboration pods (23 per cent).
Four in ten now have fully office-based jobs. With just under one in five (18 per cent) splitting their time 50/50 between the office and home, with a fifth primarily working from home.
As a result, only 37 per cent have assigned seats or desk space at work, with over a quarter (26 per cent) opting for hotdesking instead.
With the increased use of digital technology in the workplace, 61 per cent have received training on how to use evolving software.
However, 12 per cent of those aged 50 and above confessed to finding it difficult to integrate software into their work routines.
TOP 10 OFFICE RELICS:
Fax Machines
Floppy Disks
Correction Fluid
Landline Phones
Filing Cabinets
Rolodexes
Physical Diary/Planners
Sticky Notes as Password Reminders
Paper Hole Cutters
Business Card Holders