Obsolete Office Staples in the Modern Workplace
Fax machines, Rolodexes, and floppy disks have now been firmly consigned to the past, according to a new survey that highlights the evolving nature of the modern workplace.
A study of 2,000 UK office workers suggests that the classic 90s-style office, immortalised in sitcoms of the era, would be virtually unrecognisable to today’s professionals.
Landline phones, business card holders, and even sticky notes are among the traditional office items now seen as outdated. Correction fluids, once a desk essential, are also being phased out as digital workflows take over.
Commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of their new Galaxy Z Fold7 Enterprise Edition, a business-focused foldable phone with enhanced AI functionality, the poll found that just one in ten Brits still rely exclusively on office landlines for work calls. Instead, over half (52%) say their smartphone now serves as a portable office.
Mobile technology is clearly transforming work habits, 62% of respondents say it helps them multitask, and 50% say they regularly begin their workday during their commute.
Top 10 Obsolete Office Staples (as voted by UK workers):
- Floppy Disks (63%)
- Fax Machines (62%)
- Rolodexes (39%)
- Correction Fluid (36%)
- Landline Phones (24%)
- Business Card Holders (21%)
- Sticky Notes Used for Passwords (21%)
- Filing Cabinets (20%)
- Physical Diary/Planner (19%)
- Paper Hole Cutters (17%)
Beyond physical tools, workplaces themselves have changed significantly. Comfortable seating areas (41%), relaxation zones (39%), and collaboration pods (23%) are becoming increasingly common, reflecting a stronger focus on employee wellbeing and productivity.
Just 37% of UK office workers are now fully office-based, while nearly one in five (18%) split their time equally between home and office. Another 21% mainly work remotely.
This shift means the traditional fixed-desk setup is also fading: only 37% have an assigned desk, while 26% are now hotdesking.
Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK&I, commented:
“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 either. The Galaxy Z Fold7 is designed for the professional who works from anywhere – whether that’s a co-working space, kitchen table, or train. It’s your meeting room, notepad, and presentation screen all folded into one; a complete mobile office built for modern working demands.”
The survey also reflects how the growing gig economy is influencing career choices. Nearly two in five (37%) now have a side hustle, signalling a shift towards multiple concurrent careers.
As SMEs increasingly adopt digital tools, training is key: 61% of office workers have received some form of employee training for new software. However, digital literacy remains a challenge for some, 12% of those aged 50+ admit to struggling with integrating new technologies.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 Enterprise Edition is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest foldable yet, enabling users to work with greater flexibility. Features include split-screen app use, voice-enabled actions with Google Gemini1, and Galaxy AI2 for real-time translation, call transcription, and smart note-taking, making it a truly portable office and executive assistant combined.
For more information, visit Samsung.com/uk.
