Morning Joe and Go: Hybrid Workers Start “Coffee Badging” Trend

As numerous companies mandate a return to the office, many employees are still striving for a flexible approach to their in-office hours — stressing the importance of work-life balance and productivity over traditional 9-to-5 office attendance. 

According to a recent survey of 2,000 full-time workers published by Owl Labs, 58% of hybrid workers admit to “coffee badging,” a practice where employees enter the office briefly, often just for morning coffee, before returning home to work. Another 8% in the survey expressed interest in adopting this method. 

Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs, believes this doesn’t indicate a lack of commitment from employees, according to CNBC. Instead, he believes it showcases employees’ appreciation for office interactions while also valuing the flexibility of remote work. According to Weishaupt, the data suggests that the standard for workplace flexibility is changing. While it once revolved around where an employee works, it’s now evolving to encompass when an employee works as well.  

Additionally, while some companies, like Meta and Google, are implementing stricter office attendance monitoring, Weishaupt warns against such measures. He believes that fostering a culture of trust and accountability is more effective than surveillance, according to CNBC.  

The emphasis on flexibility, trust, and productivity will likely grow in the coming years, and the rise of “coffee badging” points to a desire from many employees for a balanced work environment that caters to both professional and personal needs.