What’s Brewing in the Office?

The Canadian workplace is buzzing again—literally. From the coffee machines percolating in downtown office towers to the sudden uptick in elevator small talk, it’s clear: the return-to-office (RTO) movement is in full swing.?

With this shift comes some fascinating trends that are redefining how we think about workspaces. Let’s dive into how RTO is transforming Canadian work culture—and why you might be spotting more statement blazers and sleek new desk plants than ever before.

Big Players Mandate the Return

Amazon, Toyota Motor Corporation, J.P. Morgan and the Canadian Government are among the major organizations leading the RTO charge. Amazon, for instance, has implemented a policy requiring employees to be in the office at least three days a week. Meanwhile, the Canadian Federal Government announced its own hybrid work model, mandating employees to return for two to three days weekly starting last year.?

Other major corporations are following suit. Toyota Motor Corporation has mandated its North American salaried employees return to the office Monday through Thursday starting in September, with Fridays remaining flexible. This highlights Toyota's commitment to face-to-face collaboration, especially in hands-on areas like R&D. Similarly, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is requiring employees to work in the office five days a week starting in March and emphasizes the importance of in-office work for mentorship and collaboration.?

With these mandates, Canadian office buildings are seeing a flourish of movement, but it’s not the same scene we left behind in 2020; Both employers and employees are bringing fresh perspectives.

Brew, Badge, and Bail

Picture this: you stroll into the office mid-morning, grab a latte from the kitchen, exchange a few cheerful greetings with colleagues or your boss, maybe attend a meeting or two, and—poof!—you’re out the door, laptop in tow.

That’s coffee badging for you—the ultimate workplace cameo.?

This trend has become a staple for professionals navigating hybrid work setups. It’s the perfect blend of fulfilling RTO obligations while maintaining the flexibility we’ve grown fond of.

Offices Are Flaunting Their Feathers

When the call to return to the office came, many employers realized they needed to make the workplace more inviting to ease employees back into in-person work.?

That’s office peacocking—a trend focused on reimagining offices as vibrant, home-like spaces designed to inspire creativity and connection.

It’s about workplaces flaunting bold, personality-filled redesigns. Cozy couches have replaced stiff chairs, natural light now streams through open layouts, and lush greenery decorates once-dull corners. It’s a strategy to transform offices into places employees are eager to return to—even if it’s just for a few days a week.

Maria V. , a Recruiter at Bevertec , believes that “the return-to-office trends in Canada, like coffee badging and office peacocking, have always excited to some extent, but now companies are more aware of how important they are for attracting employees back to the office. Now they [the organization’s] are putting more thought into creating spaces that can attract and retain employees. I’m curious to see how employees will react to these changes and if they truly make a difference in office culture.”

What Does This Mean for Work Culture?

The rise of coffee badging and office peacocking shows that employees are making the RTO era their own. While some embrace these trends as opportunities for creativity and balance, others see them as coping mechanisms for navigating rigid RTO policies.

And let’s not ignore the big question: do these trends indicate a genuine return to collaboration, or are they signs that employees are still figuring out how to fit back into office culture?

On one hand, coffee badging is the perfect middle ground. Employees swing by the office for quick meetings or coffee chats, creating those little moments of connection that remind us why in-person work can actually be meaningful. A quick coffee, a few laughs, and then back to the home office in your cozy socks. It’s the best of both worlds.

But here’s the thing: while people are technically there, they’re not really there. Coffee badging leaves teams feeling a little disconnected. It’s this half-in, half-out approach that might give you a taste of office life without the full flavor. It raises the question: does this hybrid model truly help build team cohesion, or is it just a way to check off that "in-office" box without actually engaging in the full office experience?

And then there’s office peacocking—a trend that’s all about making the office a place you actually want to be. Enter the office redesign—cozy couches, vibrant pops of color, natural light, and even some greenery. The office became less like a sterile work environment and more like a home away from home.

But here’s the thing: transforming an office into a cozy, collaborative space isn’t cheap. It requires serious investment, and companies are paying for it. But the hope is that once employees see the revamped, more creative workspaces, they’ll be motivated to come back and actually enjoy working in the office again. The goal is to create a space that draws people in, not just forces them to clock in and out.

However, just like with coffee badging, there’s a balancing act here. While a beautiful office can foster creativity and collaboration, it also needs to serve a purpose. If the redesign is all about flash and no function, it can quickly feel like a distraction rather than an enhancement. The key is making sure the transformation supports productivity and team unity—not just flashy decor.

Londa Burke , the Director of Professional Services at Bevertec , indicates that, “here at Bevertec we mandated our local staff into the office 2 days a week and the same 2 days each week so that we would have the entire team there to build comradery within the team. For the most part this has worked out well but we are always learning and always improving.?For example, staff no longer want to have long travels, so we have adjusted the hours for the staff to either come in earlier and leave earlier or come in later and leave later to continue to give them the flexibility that they have become accustomed to. It’s all about trying to achieve our corporate goals while also making sure our staff are happy in their environment and the new culture we are building.”

So, what do both coffee badging and office peacocking really say about the future of work? They point to a shift in how we’re thinking about the office. Employees want more than just a place to work—they want a space that feels welcoming, creative, and flexible. Employers, meanwhile, are realizing that if they want to bring people back to the office, they need to offer more than just a desk. The office should be a place where people want to be, not just where they have to be.

Over to You

What’s your take on Canada’s RTO movement? Are you a coffee badger, an office peacock, or something else entirely? How is your workplace adapting to this new normal?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—because whether you're enjoying your newly redesigned office space or just dropping by for a cappuccino, your voice matters. Let’s keep the conversation going!

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