Do you really know? What is coffee badging in the workplace?
Nov 11, 2025
The pandemic has reshaped work dynamics, with many employees opting for remote roles as a new standard. Coffee badging emerges as a clever hack for fulfilling office requirements while minimizing actual time spent at work. This trend highlights employees' desire to avoid commutes and save on expenses, reflecting a pushback against full-time office life. Critics raise concerns about productivity and attendance, but some argue it aids gradual reintegration into the workplace. What does this mean for the future of remote work?
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What Coffee Badging Means
- Coffee badging describes arriving, swiping in, grabbing a coffee, and leaving after a short period to finish work remotely.
- The trend lets employees meet office-presence rules while minimizing in-office time.
Widespread And Reported Trend
- The phrase emerged in the United States and gained mainstream media coverage from outlets like Forbes, CNBC and Fox News.
- Surveys show coffee badging is common, with 58% of hybrid workers admitting to it in one study.
Use Short Visits Strategically
- Employees save time and money by avoiding peak-commute hours and workplace food costs when they coffee badge.
- Use short office visits to reconnect with colleagues and ease back into in-person work gradually.