With companies increasingly demanding that employees return to the office, a controversial new trend called “coffee badging” is emerging. It’s a quiet form of protest against inflexible workplace rules, as well as a strategic move for workers to retain some maneuvering room while still fulfilling their employers’ literally marked attendance requirements. But what exactly is coffee badging, and why has it become so popular?
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What Is Coffee Badging?
The phrase “coffee badging” was first used by Owl Labs in its 2023 State of Hybrid Work report. It describes a phenomenon in which workers come into the office, briefly engage — getting coffee, attending meetings, mingling with colleagues — and then sneak back out to complete their work at home.
One employee, referred to as “Mr. A” in the report by CNBC, reported to the office at 9 a.m., merrily swiping his badge.
By noon, he had departed the office, finishing his workday at home and signing off by 5 p.m. Mr. A has, in his own way, remade the 9-to-5. “This is really about employees finding creative ways to balance employer demands for being in the office with their own desire for flexibility,” a workplace analyst quoted in the CNBC report said.
A Quiet Rebellion
Coffee badging is more than a scheduling change; it’s a form of silent protest against return-to-office policies. “Employees are saying, ‘I will be there, but on my terms.’ It is a quiet rebellion against losing the flexibility they had during the pandemic,” said one source, a workplace expert, who spoke to CNBC.
The arrangement often falls in line with the sentiment that employees can be equally productive, if not more so, when working remotely. Others visit the office for access to resources unavailable at home, like advanced technology or in-person collaboration.
Changing Power Dynamics in the Workplace
The trend of coffee badging reflects changes in the labor market and the shifting balance of power between bosses and their workers. During the pandemic, when demand for workers outstripped supply, employees had a lot of power. Quiet quitting was all the rage, with workers optimistic about job security and agility. Now, as the job market cools down — especially in white-collar industries — employers are regaining control. “The pandemic gave employees power, now the employers are taking it back,” one analyst wrote. “Companies are like, ‘We gave you flexibility; it’s time to go back to the office now. ”
The Productivity Debate
Another layer to the conversation is the debate over how remote work affects productivity. Remote work boosted productivity in 61 private sector industries between 2019 and 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But a Stanford study from 2023 found that fully remote work resulted in 10 percent less productivity than working in the office.
“Productivity is highly job, industry and task dependent,” said a labor economist. “There isn’t a clear answer, which is why remote work is such a fraught topic.”
Employers, though, seem to place more value than ever on physical presence. “Productivity is in the eye of the beholder,” said one corporate leader. “If the company is paying your salary, they have the right to determine where you work.”
Crackdowns on Coffee Badging
As the trend catches on, some companies are taking a hard line. The share of hybrid employees who admitted to coffee badging was 44% in 2024, according to Owl Labs, versus 68% in 2023. The cup rotor feared for their jobs, with 16% of coffee badgers reporting being sent to stay the whole day at work when caught, Companies like Amazon have adopted an even more severe position, requiring employees to return to the office five days a week or risk getting fired. “If you don’t like it, go somewhere else,” Amazon Cloud Chief Matt Garman, reportedly said in an all-hands meeting. Other companies, too, are analyzing badge data to enforce attendance, rewarding employees who stay at their desks longer and laying off those who knock off early.
Remote Job Postings Are Declining
The postpandemic retreat from flexible work policies is also apparent in help-wanted listings. Remote roles now account for one in five job postings, according to LinkedIn data, a decrease from a peak of one in four job postings at the end of 2022.
“Employers are looking at behemoths like Amazon as a standard,” one expert said. “When Amazon pushes for full-time office attendance, it gives smaller companies a justification to as well.”
Flexible Work Going Forward
The work future seems largely to depend on industry and role. Tech jobs, which often rely on independent tasks, may continue to offer remote flexibility while in-person maintenance jobs or human resources positions may require constant in-office attendance.
“The workforce wants flexibility. They want hybrid options that let them work wherever they feel most productive,” said a workplace strategist. “Coffee badging is a manifestation of employees trying to conform to new norms but unable or unwilling to fully return to the systems of the old world.”
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.