‘Coffee Badging’ explained and why it’s frowned upon in workplaces
A controversial office trend is reportedly becoming so widespread that some employers are keeping a much closer eye on staff to make sure they're not getting up to something sneaky.
Everyone seems to have a different setup when it comes to the office.
Some people are glued to their desks full-time, while others split their time between home and the workplace.
And with more companies asking staff to show up in person, the curious habit known as 'Coffee Badging' has bosses watching the clock a little more closely.
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But what is 'Coffee Badging', and are you guilty of doing it?
What is 'Coffee Badging'?
If you still have no idea what on earth we're on about, worry not. We're here to fill you in on all the need-to-knows - particularly as you may unknowingly be carrying out this office crime.
According to the findings of a 2023 study, a huge proportion of 'hybrid workers' - those who work partly in a physical workplace and partly from home - are actually taking part in 'Coffee Badging'.
Basically, this trend sees employees taking liabilities when it comes to in-person requirements, meeting their weekly 'office quota' without really putting in the work during days spent physically inside the workplace.
It's called 'Coffee Badging' because employees are apparently swiping into their office building to fulfil their boss's in-person requirements - by grabbing a cup of joe, or hopping into a quick meeting - but fleeing back to the comfort of their homes as soon as possible.
Why is 'Coffee Badging' so bad?
For many employers, seeing their staff coming and going as they please isn't such a daunting prospect - as long as they're completing all of their required work.
For others, however, completing the bare minimum of important, compulsory, in-person work is simply not good enough, and shows a poor work ethic.
And seeing an employee doing this can - according to one Human Resources worker - even cost them a promotion.
How are employers cracking down on 'Coffee Badging'?
As the post-Covid working trend continues to take hold - having since hit the headlines in numerous countries across the globe - it's no surprise that more and more employers are keeping a closer eye on their members of staff.
So much so that Amazon bosses are said to be monitoring the number of hours that each employee spends inside their firm's local hub.
As reported by Business Insider back in 2024, several teams within the colossal retail firm were informed that a minimum of two working hours per visit to their nearest office location is an absolute must.
If these requirements are not met across the three days per week that they're required to work in their office, their attendance is allegedly not considered.
Alternatively, other teams are reported to have a six-hour minimum requirement per visit.
"Over a year ago we asked employees to start coming into the office three or more days per week," Amazon spokeswoman Margaret Callahan told the finance outlet. "Because we believe it would yield the best long-term results for our customers, business, and culture."
"And it has," she continued. "The vast majority of employees are in the office more frequently; there's more energy, connection, and collaboration, and we're hearing that from employees and the businesses that surround our offices."
She added that bosses had started to 'speak directly' to workers who didn't attend the office enough.
Topics: Jobs, Food and Drink, Life, Real Life, True Life
Rhianna Benson