Workplace Changes 1985 - 2018

By tscott13

  • Age Discrimination Employment Act

    Congress removed the upper age cap of 70 from the Age Discrimination Employment Act, making it unlawful to discriminate against employees over 70. Mandatory retirement for most employees becomes unlawful.

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Invented

    Microsoft Powerpoint is invented. It transitioned from a method to produce overhead images to one of the most widely used virtual slideshows and is part of Microsoft's Office suite. Powerpoint was originally intended for business use, but has become very popular outside of the business setting. It is now widely used in schools, community organizations, and the military.

  • Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 eventually led to German reunification. The reunification resulted in changes to the German workplace. Imbalances between GDP of former West and East German drove the new government to embark on an aggressive job training program for former East Germans resulting in changing workplace cultural dynamics due to integration of former East German workers.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act Signed Into Law

    The Americans with Disabilities Act directed employers to make comprehensive changes. The changes covered workplace architecture to make buildings accessible to handicapped persons, and made discrimination against handicapped persons illegal. The Act has helped remove negative stigma from people with disabilities.

  • Word Wide Web Made Available To The Public

    Although it had been around for a couple decades, the world wide web was not made available to the public until 1991. The world wide web has arguably been one of the most important technological advances in the world's history and has drastically altered workplace communication.

  • European Union Created

    The EU as we know it is created as a result of the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. Subsequently, the EU passed rules and regulations governing workplace discrimination, pay, and gender equality, gender balance in decision making, and ending gender based violence.

  • Family and Medical Leave Act Becomes Law

    The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 guaranteed some, but not all workers, 12 weeks of time off to treat medical conditions or assist family members with medical conditions. It also prevented employers from giving employees lower-tiered jobs or a reduction in pay upon their return to work.

  • North American Free - Trade Agreement

    NAFTA was signed in 1994 and was intended to provide overall economic growth the North American economies. Although largely true, there have been some negative consequences to the U.S. workplace. According the the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. automotive industry lost nearly 350,000 jobs - most of which can be attributed to NAFTA.

  • Google Corporation Founded

    Google has become a very popular company due to its unique organizational culture. It offers perks including free meals, benefits, liberal vacation and time off policies. It consistently ranks among the best in employee satisfaction and is an example of a corporation that has succeeded in capturing the emerging work culture favored by millennials.

  • Facebook Created

    Facebook has become one of the most recognizable social media platforms in the world. It changed the way we build friendships and social relationships and has affected the workplace positively and negatively. Many employers check prospective employee's social media profiles during the hiring process.

  • 2008 Financial Crisis

    Partially due to the housing crisis of 2007, the financial crisis of 2008 caused several workplace related issues. Housing prices fell by as much as 31% and unemployment spiked to 9%. The effects of the 2008 crisis lingered for several years.

  • Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Becomes Law

    The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 made it illegal to deny employment to anyone simply based on genetic information. This Act marks an important step in aligning equal employment policy with the realities that come along with increased genetic testing.

  • Affordable Care Act Passed

    The Affordable Care Act provides affordable health care to millions of uninsured. It also mandated everyone either get insurance or pay a tax for failing to do so. Businesses and some high income earners are taxed at a higher rate in order to subsidize the program.

  • Generation Z Enters The Workforce

    Born between 1995 and 2010, Generation Z makes up nearly 20% of the population. Their entry into the workforce ushers in the first cohort of the population who have grown up their entire lives in the digital age. They are described as hyper-cognitive and bring with characteristics that will shift workplace and consumer norms.

  • Combat Exclusion Policy Lifted

    Previously, women were not eligible to serve in direct combat roles. In 2013, the policy was lifted, giving women the right to serve in any military occupational specialty as long as they met requirements specific to the job. This may seem like a military-specific event, but it allows women increased access to post-military jobs in academia and the defense industry that are directly tied to combat arms occupational fields.

  • Defense of Marriage Act Ruled Unconsitutional

    Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional. As a result, the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages for the purposes of social security, veterans benefits, and tax purposes. States, however, do not have to recognize same-sex marriage.

  • Millenials Become Largest Section of Workforce

    Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials have become the largest population of the workforce, overtaking Generation X. As they take over the workforce, millennial characteristics such as a very positive view of information technology. Millennials are also more likely to switch jobs compared to previous generations.

  • United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement

    The United States, under President Trump, renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement. The renegotiation continues to be controversial to those who opposed the agreements. From the business perspective, the USMCA includes provisions that protect LGBTQ and pregnant workers.