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Microsoft Windows Release
Windows 1.0 was released by Microsoft, becoming the operating system based on mouse usage. While the system was not popular at the time, Windows become a workplace staple with the release of 3.0. Microsoft has birthed many other programs essential at work, including Word, Powerpoint, Excel and most recently, Teams. -
Activity Based Working
Activity based working began as a way to move from the "cubicle farm" office layout and to conserve space. It allows for more collaboration in the workplace. This theory does away with the 1:1 ratio of office to employee and creates shared spaces. Valuing flexibility, this approach has been coveted by younger managers. Beginning in the 1980's, this guide to work gained mainstream attention in the mid 1990's. -
Compaq Laptop Debut
The 16-bit COMPAQ SLT/286 was the first battery-powered laptop to support an internal hard disk drive and LCD screen. The computer weighed in at 14 pounds and cost $5,399. Though the battery lasted only 3 hours, this gave employees the option to work on the move with the proper hardware. -
World Wide Web goes public
Sir Tim Berners-Lee created the world wide web as part of a CERN project. It became available to the public in 1991. The web has changed everything about the way business is done. From communication to networking, from commerce to promotion, the web has improved everything from business to education. -
Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act protects employees from losing their job or insurance when attending to medical emergencies in their family. An employee can take 12 weeks of leave for the birth of a child, or to care for a sick family member. This act has been used by American employees over 100 million times. -
Small Business Job Protection Act
This act created protections for small businesses. The act raised the minimum wage and simplified 401(k) plans. Additionally, the act protects employees who work overtime. This act helped workers save more money for retirement while also making sure they were paid a fair wage. -
For-Profit College Deregulation
As part of reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, regulations were loosened on for-profit colleges. These privately-owned schools were traded publicly and lobbied for more freedoms from lawmakers. As a result, the colleges contributed to the skyrocketing student debt problem. Former students owe over a trillion dollars to pay for college, offering potential financial difficulties as students transition to the workforce. -
September 11, 2001
The terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001 affected everyone in some way. In business, the attacks negatively affected the stock market, oil prices, airlines and insurance. The attacks began an 18-month climb in unemployment. The War on Terror led to the current debt crisis. On a smaller scale, the changes made to keep travelers safe slowed business and personal travel. -
Facebook opens to the public
When Facebook began in 2004, it was limited to users who were part of school networks. In 2006, it opened to anyone with a valid email address over the age of 13. Thus began the social media age. Companies use Facebook (and subsequent social networks) to communicate with customers, advertise and inform the public. The dark side of social media shows up as well, as employees routinely lose jobs for things posted online. -
Global Financial Crisis
A drop in the United States housing market began a two-year crisis that affected banks and financial systems. The downturn started one of the biggest recessions since the Great Depression. This event costs 9 million jobs and affected many people who were still employed. -
Blackberry
Blackberry became the first phone to put email directly in your hand. The QWERTY keyboard allowed one to be connected at all times. It became such a necessary tool that Barak Obama refused to give his up when he became President. Blackberry has since been passed by the Iphone and Android, but it was the first device to give the business world 24 hours a day connectivity. -
ObamaCare
The Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, causing sweeping changes to healthcare. Debate still rages on the bill, but it did affect employees by mandating that they be offered health insurance. Additionally, there is cause for concern among business owners on the premiums they are paying. Regardless, this was an historic bill that affected American workers in all fields. -
5 Million manufacturing jobs lost
Manufacturing jobs began to disappear in 2000 and as of 2016 over 73,000 manufacturing plants closed. Several reasons are offered for the decline, from trade to automation to wages. This could continue as automation and robots get cheaper. Some economists point out that other industries have risen, keeping America at full employment.
