Coffee Badging: What It Is and Why Employees Do It?

Hybrid workers, in particular, are embracing coffee badging as a way to comply with office attendance policies without giving up the flexibility they’ve grown accustomed to. A 2023 survey by Owl Labs found that over half of hybrid workers admitted to coffee badging. By 2024, that number dipped slightly to 44%, likely due to employees being caught or stricter in-office requirements.

So why are people doing this? Is it bad for businesses? And what can companies do about it? Let’s break it all down.

1. Why Are Employees Coffee Badging?

Coffee badging isn’t just about sneaking in and out of the office—it’s a silent protest against outdated work expectations. Employees aren’t doing it because they’re lazy or disengaged. They’re doing it because they’re questioning why they should spend extra hours in an office when it doesn’t necessarily make their work better or their lives easier. Let’s break down the biggest reasons behind this growing trend.

1.1 Work-Life Balance: The New Non-Negotiable

For a lot of workers, flexibility isn’t just a perk anymore—it’s an expectation. The pandemic proved that remote and hybrid work don’t hurt productivity. If anything, they’ve improved it by eliminating unnecessary commutes and letting employees structure their days in a way that actually makes sense.

Coffee badging has become a workaround for employees who want to honor their company’s in-office policies without sacrificing personal time. Here’s what that looks like in real life:

• Morning drop-offs and gym sessions? Still happening. Employees can stop by the office for a quick appearance before heading home to get real work done—without disrupting their routines.
• Fewer pointless commutes. Nobody wants to waste two hours in traffic just to sit at a desk they could’ve sat at at home.
• Better mental health. Avoiding full office days means more time for family, rest, and hobbies—the things that actually make people more productive.

For many, coffee badging is less about defiance and more about balance. They’re still doing their jobs—they’re just doing them in a way that doesn’t drain their energy.

1.2 Minimal In-Person Benefit: “Why Am I Even Here?”

One of the biggest drivers of coffee badging is the realization that some jobs simply don’t require an office presence. Sure, some roles thrive on in-person interaction—think brainstorming sessions for creative teams or hands-on work in manufacturing. But for a lot of professionals, showing up physically adds no real value to their work.

Let’s be real: Zoom, Slack, and project management tools have replaced watercooler chats. If an employee’s work can be done just as efficiently (or even more so) from home, then the office becomes a formality rather than a necessity.

So instead of committing to an entire office day, employees coffee badge to:

• Make an appearance without wasting time. Show face, grab a coffee, check in with a manager, and dip.
• Avoid the guilt trip. Some bosses still think being in the office equals working hard—coffee badging lets employees meet expectations without unnecessary sacrifices.
• Skip distractions. Offices aren’t always the best place to work. Noise, interruptions, and constant meetings? No thanks. Many employees focus better in their own environment.

At the end of the day, coffee badging is a logical response to a workplace that hasn’t fully caught up with how people actually work best.

1.3 Employer Expectations & Mandates: “Fine, I’ll Show Up—But Only for a Minute.”

Some companies just can’t let go of traditional work models. They still believe that productivity is about visibility, even when plenty of evidence says otherwise.

Instead of adapting to outcome-based work, they’re forcing employees to clock in physically—even when there’s no real reason to be there. And when people feel forced to be in a space that doesn’t add value, they start finding ways around it.

That’s where coffee badging comes in. Employees technically comply with return-to-office rules, but they do it on their own terms. It’s their way of saying:

• “I respect the rules, but I also respect my own time.”
• “If my job doesn’t require me to be here, I’m not sticking around.”
• “If productivity is the goal, let’s focus on work—not appearances.”

Companies that double down on outdated policies instead of adapting to modern work realities will continue to see employees play along—but not fully engage.

1.4 Cynicism & Mistrust in Leadership: “Do You Really Need Me Here, or Are You Just Watching Me?”

Employees aren’t stupid. When a company pushes an office mandate without a clear, valid reason, workers see right through it. And guess what? They don’t trust it.

A study found that only 20% of employees believe their company’s justification for returning to the office. That means the other 80% think it’s about control—not collaboration.

Here’s why that matters:

• When employees feel like they’re being monitored rather than valued, they start disengaging.
• If they believe leadership isn’t being transparent, they’ll find ways to game the system.
• A workplace built on distrust breeds passive resistance—coffee badging is just one example of that.

For companies that actually want people to come in, the solution isn’t forcing attendance. It’s building trust, improving communication, and proving that office time is worth it.

2. How Does Coffee Badging Impact Businesses?

At first glance, coffee badging seems pretty harmless. Employees are technically showing up, work is still getting done, and everyone’s playing along. So, what’s the big deal?

Well, for businesses, it’s a huge deal. Coffee badging chips away at workplace dynamics, causes operational inefficiencies, and makes companies waste a ton of money on empty desks. Here’s a deeper look at how this trend creates more problems than it solves.

2.1 It Undermines Trust: “Are You Even Working?”

Managers thrive on clear expectations. They need to know who’s actually engaged and who’s just going through the motions. When employees start coffee badging, it sends mixed signals.

Even if workers are killing it remotely, their managers may not see it that way. Instead, they see:

• Employees showing up briefly and leaving before real work begins.
• Empty desks, making the office look like a ghost town half the time.
• A lack of face-to-face interactions, which can make employees feel disconnected from the team.

All of this breeds skepticism. Even the most hard-working employees might get caught in the crossfire, with managers assuming they’re disengaged or slacking off.

What happens next?

• More micromanagement. Instead of focusing on results, some bosses might start watching employees like hawks, leading to frustration on both sides.
• Stricter policies. Companies might double down with mandatory in-office days or badge scans, making things even more rigid.
• Damaged workplace relationships. A lack of trust between managers and employees can quickly turn toxic, creating low morale and higher turnover.

Trust is one of the biggest assets a company has—and coffee badging puts it at risk.

2.2 It Disrupts Productivity: The “Office Shuffle” Kills Focus

Hybrid work should make things easier—but when employees coffee badge, it can do the opposite. Why? Because switching between office and remote work in the same day disrupts workflow.

Imagine this:

• 🔹 You commute 45 minutes to the office. You grab a coffee, chat with a few colleagues, and check some emails.
• 🔹 30 minutes later, you leave to work from home. Now, you need to reset your focus in a new environment.
• 🔹 By the time you’re back in the zone, an hour has passed. That’s lost productivity—every single day.

On top of that, coffee badging makes collaboration unpredictable. Teams end up missing each other in the office, which means:

• 🚫 No spontaneous brainstorming. The whole point of coming in is to engage with teammates, but if schedules are uncoordinated, those moments never happen.
• 🚫 Missed connections. When employees show up at different times, it’s harder to build relationships and strengthen team dynamics.
• 🚫 Constantly shifting routines. Some workers thrive on consistency, but coffee badging makes in-office schedules feel random and chaotic.

Bottom line? Unstructured hybrid work = disorganized teams. If employees aren’t in the office at the same time for a reason, then what’s the point?

2.3 It Wastes Money: Paying for Empty Desks

Let’s be real—offices are expensive. Between rent, utilities, office supplies, and maintenance, companies are spending big bucks on spaces that aren’t being fully used.

If employees only pop in for a quick coffee run, that’s a massive waste of resources. Think about it:

• 💸 Unused office space. If hybrid workers only spend a fraction of their time in the office, then why are companies paying for full-time real estate?
• 💸 Extra costs for perks employees barely use. Free snacks, catered lunches, and fancy office amenities aren’t worth it if the office is empty most of the day.
• 💸 Overhead costs that don’t match attendance. Electricity, internet, and office security run 24/7, even when only a handful of employees are physically present.

For many companies, this leads to a serious financial question:

👉 Does it even make sense to maintain large offices anymore?

If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to rethink office space altogether—downsizing, adopting flexible coworking models, or even going fully remote.

2.4 The Bigger Picture: Coffee Badging Is a Symptom, Not the Problem

At the end of the day, coffee badging isn’t the root issue—it’s just how employees are responding to rigid, outdated work policies. Companies that ignore this trend and keep pushing traditional office mandates will continue to see:

• 🔴 Lower engagement (because employees feel forced into unnecessary office time).
• 🔴 Weaker collaboration (because teams aren’t actually interacting in meaningful ways).
• 🔴 Wasted resources (because expensive office spaces aren’t being used effectively).

Instead of cracking down on coffee badging, companies should be asking:

• 👉 Why are employees doing this in the first place?
• 👉 Is office time actually making work better, or just making work harder?
• 👉 How can we create a hybrid model that benefits everyone—not just leadership?

The companies that answer these questions honestly will be the ones that thrive in the new world of work. The rest? Well… they’ll just keep paying for a bunch of empty chairs.

3. 4 Ways Companies Can Address Coffee Badging

Coffee badging isn’t some elaborate scheme to “game the system” – it’s a reaction to outdated and rigid work expectations. If companies want to reduce coffee badging (or at least make office time more meaningful), they need to rethink how they approach hybrid work. The goal? Make the office actually worth coming to.

Here’s how companies can adapt instead of trying to force outdated policies.

3.1 Create Intentional Office Schedules: Make Office Time Actually Useful

For hybrid work to be effective, showing up at the office needs to have a clear purpose. Random, unstructured office visits? They just create awkward, empty offices where people come and go on different schedules, barely crossing paths.

The fix? Structured office days that actually serve a function. Instead of just saying “come in three times a week,” companies should schedule meaningful office interactions around things that are actually better in person, like:

• ✔ Team brainstorms – Because good ideas flow better face-to-face.
• ✔ Workshops and training sessions – So employees get actual value from being in the office.
• ✔ Mentorship and coaching – In-person feedback can be more effective than an awkward Zoom call.
• ✔ Collaboration-heavy projects – Things that require quick back-and-forth discussions rather than waiting for Slack replies.

Beyond those key moments, let employees handle deep, focused work remotely, where they’re more comfortable and productive. This way, office time feels like a tool, not a chore.

3.2 Hire People Who Actually Thrive in Hybrid Work

Some people thrive in a hybrid work setup, while others need more structure, oversight, or social interaction to stay productive. If a company’s hybrid model depends on employees being self-driven, then hiring should reflect that.

So, what makes someone a great hybrid or remote worker?

• ✅ Self-motivation – Can they stay on top of their work without constant reminders?
• ✅ Strong communication skills – Can they articulate what they need and collaborate effectively across digital tools?
• ✅ Autonomy & time management – Can they manage their workload without needing to be checked in on every five minutes?

Companies can spot these traits early on by using:

• 📌 Skills assessments – To test for problem-solving, time management, and self-discipline.
• 📌 Personality assessments – To find candidates who naturally thrive in independent work environments.
• 📌 Behavioral interviews – To gauge how well someone has handled remote or hybrid work in the past.

The takeaway? If you don’t want employees to coffee badge, hire people who don’t need constant supervision in the first place.

3.3 Focus on Results, Not Face Time: Stop Measuring “Effort,” Start Measuring Impact

The old “if I can see you, you must be working” mentality is outdated. Instead of micromanaging office attendance, companies should focus on actual results.

How? By tracking what really matters:

• ✔ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – Are employees hitting their targets?
• ✔ Project success & deadlines – Is the work getting done on time and at a high quality?
• ✔ Employee engagement & contribution – Are they participating in meetings, sharing ideas, and contributing to team goals?

If employees are consistently delivering results, why does it matter where they work from?

Shifting to a results-driven culture:

• 🔹 Reduces unnecessary office pressure – No more forced face time just for the sake of it.
• 🔹 Builds trust between employees and managers – Less micromanaging, more ownership.
• 🔹 Boosts engagement – Employees feel valued for their work, not just their presence.

Simply put: When you measure impact instead of attendance, coffee badging stops being a “problem” because it no longer matters.

3.4 Be Honest About Why Office Presence Matters: Employees Need More Than Just Vague Buzzwords

The quickest way to lose trust? Tell employees they “need to be in the office for collaboration” without actually explaining why. If companies want employees to buy into office time, they need to make the case with real, tangible reasons.

Instead of saying:

• ❌ “We believe in a strong in-office culture.”
• ❌ “We want to build better connections.”
• ❌ “Collaboration is important.”

Try this:

• ✔ Healthcare workers need to be on-site to care for patients.
• ✔ Manufacturing teams must be physically present to operate machinery.
• ✔ Sales teams benefit from in-person client meetings to close more deals.

Being clear and specific about why office time is necessary helps employees see the value instead of resisting it. And if leadership can’t come up with a strong reason for in-person attendance? Maybe it’s time to rethink office policies altogether.

4. FAQs: Coffee Badging and Everything You’re Wondering About It

4.1 What’s the Difference Between Coffee Badging and Office Peacocking?

At first glance, these might sound like two sides of the same coin, but they’re actually very different workplace behaviors—one led by employees, the other by employers.

• 🔹 Coffee Badging → This is when employees show up at the office just long enough to be seen, grab a coffee, maybe chat with a manager, and then leave to work remotely. It’s about meeting the bare minimum office requirement without actually spending the full day in-office.
• 🔹 Office Peacocking → This is when employers try to make the office more appealing by adding cool perks, fancy renovations, or social events to encourage attendance. Think free snacks, upgraded break rooms, or ping-pong tables—all attempts to lure employees into wanting to be in the office.

Basically, coffee badging is a response to rigid office mandates, while office peacocking is a company’s attempt to make coming in feel “worth it.”

👉 If coffee badging is the problem, office peacocking is the (sometimes desperate) solution.

4.2 Is Coffee Badging Bad?

Not necessarily—it’s more of a symptom than a cause. Coffee badging isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s a reaction to outdated work policies that force attendance without adding value.

So, instead of cracking down on employees who coffee badge, companies should be asking:

• ❓ Why do employees feel the need to do this?
• ❓ Is our hybrid model actually serving both the company and employees?
• ❓ Are we measuring productivity correctly, or are we just tracking presence?

For companies that genuinely care about engagement and productivity, the solution isn’t stricter attendance policies—it’s reworking office culture to make showing up meaningful.

🚀 If office time is structured intentionally and employees see real benefits, coffee badging won’t even be a thing.

5. Final Thoughts

Coffee badging is a workplace rebellion against unnecessary office mandates. Employees want flexibility, and companies that force attendance without a real reason will continue to see this trend.

Instead of fighting coffee badging, businesses should adapt:

• ✅ Make in-office work purposeful
• ✅ Prioritize performance over presence
• ✅ Be transparent about office requirements

The future of work is flexible, results-driven, and remote-friendly. Companies that embrace this reality will attract and retain the best talent—no coffee badging required.