Is "Coffee Badging" the New "Quiet Quitting" or Just Another Buzzword?

Hybrid work environments still have a lot to figure out and like with any turbulent landscape, new patterns emerge. "Coffee badging" is one such topic that has come to the front for HR discussions and we at Dewdropz thought it warrants a little more exploration: Is it a new form of quiet quitting, where employees subtly resist rigid office mandates, or just another corporate buzzword that creates a fuss over habits everyone is already familiar with?

For the uninitiated, coffee badging involves employees showing up at the office, grabbing a coffee, making an appearance, and then quietly heading home to work remotely. It’s a tactic to meet in-office requirements without committing to a full day at the desk. Surveys show that a significant portion of hybrid workers admit to engaging in this practice, with many more contemplating it.

But what’s driving this trend? For some, it’s about reclaiming control over their time, balancing work and life in ways that traditional office hours don’t allow. For others, it’s a form of silent protest against return-to-office mandates that feel increasingly outdated in our digital age. We've also found a generational divide for those that embrace this .

Is coffee badging truly a form of quiet quitting, or is it simply employees adapting to a new normal? Some see it as evidence of a deeper disconnect between management’s expectations and today’s workforce realities. Others argue that it’s just another step in the evolution of work, where flexibility and autonomy are no longer perks but expectations.

As this trend gains momentum, companies face a crucial decision: Should they enforce stricter in-office policies, potentially alienating their workforce? Or should they rethink their approach, recognizing that the future of work is less about where we work and more about how we work?

Coffee badging is undoubtedly a sign of our times, and how organizations respond will shape the future of work.

Curious to dive deeper into this trend? Read the full blog post on our website where Jessica B explores it in more detail.

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