Can ‘Coffee Badging’ Hurt Your Career?

We talk about the potential harms as well as the benefits of new generation office culture.

As companies increase the number of hours their employees spend in the office, employees have found a creative way to stay flexible and visible: Coffee Badging. But it’s not always a good idea. The pandemic has brought the flexible working model into our lives, and many companies have adapted to this new order by adopting working from home. However, things are changing now. According to the 2024 CEO Outlook report of the UK-based Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), a leading audit, tax and consultancy service company in the world, the majority of CEOs in the UK predict that there will be a complete return to working from the office within three years.

Indeed, the majority of employees are not very happy with the re-emergence of the old order. According to data from the human resources magazine People Management, two-thirds of employees state that they would start looking for a new job if they had to spend more time in the office, for example. In other words, the complete return to the office from the hybrid working model can be a major source of stress for most employees.

What is Coffee Badging?

As a new office trend, the “coffee” part of the term “Coffee Badging” refers to having a coffee and a short chat in the office, while the “badging” part refers to using security cards that record entries and exits to the office.

This office trend is a bit controversial because it describes a day where you swipe your card at the office, stop by for a few hours, have coffee with your coworkers, and then work from home or a location outside the office for the rest of the day.

According to a 2023 report by Owl Labs, a technology company that makes videoconferencing devices designed for remote work scenarios, 58 percent of hybrid workers prefer to show up at the office and then leave. The Coffee Badging office trend is most prevalent among millennials, followed by Generation X. Older generations are the ones who enjoy spending time in the office the most.

Why is Coffee Badging so popular?

Flexibility has become one of the most important factors when evaluating career opportunities. This means a major change in the evaluation criteria when it comes to choosing a job. However, many companies are still struggling to adapt to this change. According to research, many employees say that they are much more productive when they are away from distractions in the office environment.

Companies that want to clean up the pandemic’s aftermath want their employees to return to the office full-time, ignoring the fact that employees can work more productively in a quiet space of their own. As practices like coffee badging rise in corporate culture, they show that employees are following the rules but also maintaining the flexibility that works for them.

Is Coffee Badging a Bad Idea?

The impact of coffee badging on careers largely depends on how much employees and workplaces value face-to-face communication. According to research, employees who use their time in the office efficiently can strengthen their personal brands, which can contribute to their career development. However, it is also stated that being out of sight can mean missing out on opportunities, and not coming to the office can lead to missing out on some important opportunities.

On the other hand, coffee badging can also be useful as a way to reduce the pressure of having to go to the office. Studies have shown that having to return to the office has negative effects on psychological safety, with many employees losing confidence in their ability to do their jobs without being in the office. Coffee badging helps employees maintain a sense of belonging at work, problem-solving discussions, and connection to the larger goals of the organization, while also allowing them to work productively from home.

How can you make your working hours more flexible?

If you find yourself coffee badging, you may want to consider talking to your manager about how to adjust your schedule for the betterment of both you and the company. Career coaches recommend that you have open and honest communication with your manager about the issue. If you are a high performer and trust is established between you and your manager, keeping your hours flexible should be no problem.

Also, emphasize how flexible working hours have benefited your work to support your argument. For example, you can give concrete examples of projects you’ve completed on time by working remotely, positive customer feedback you’ve received, and additional tasks you’ve taken on by reducing your commute. You’re more likely to get positive feedback from your managers when you present your requests as a clear plan and suggest a regular work schedule.

Photos: Neubauer Artists LLC