Office workers hit the office then leave.

 

As corporate bosses continue to grapple with the demands of the hybrid workforce, employees have discovered a way to get around the various mandates in an emerging behaviour research is calling "coffee badging".

 

The phrase was coined by collaborative tech company Owl Labs, which described the practice as "the act of going into the office to 'show face' for a few hours and then leaving."

 

This trend is more popular than one might think, according to Owl Labs' State of Hybrid Work 2023.

 

In the United Kingdom, 31 per cent of hybrid employees are guilty of the practice, while an additional 11 per cent said they haven't tried it yet but would like to do so. 

 

According to the report, general managers are more guilty (41 per cent) of committing the practice than employees (23 per cent). 

 

In the United States, a greater 58 per cent said they have tried coffee badging, while an additional eight per cent said they haven't but are willing to try it.

 

The report also noted 36 per cent of employees would be more convinced to return if their employers paid for commuting and parking costs.

 

Another 31 per cent said they would be persuaded to return to the office by free or subsidised for and beverages to offset the costs of working in the office.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: The coffee scene in 2024 is shaping up to be diverse and exhilarating, according to Sydney-based corporate coffee services provider Complete Coffee. From the emphasis on sustainability and unique coffee experiences to the integration of technology and wellness, the coffee industry is undergoing a transformative phase.