Sounds too good to be true? It really isn’t!
Swipe in to the office, grab coffee, and leave—it sounds like the start of a rom-com, but you know that’s not what I’m talking about.
So, why are employees coffee-badging, and what are some easy and popular fixes?
Let’s find out…
A quick look at coffee badging
“Coffee badging” is employees turning up at the office just long enough to register an appearance.
For example, someone swipes in, says hello to the team leader, answers a few emails, and then leaves.
Owl Labs coined the phrase in their 2023 State of Hybrid Work report.
And the trend has grown since then, even as businesses have started return-to-office mandates.
How coffee-badging can affect team performance
When some members just “pass through,” collaboration takes a hit, and the usual energy of working together fades.
The result? It’s harder to keep everyone on the same page.
Productivity falters, deadlines may be missed and the quality of work degrades.
Why do employees and teams coffee-badge?
Some see it as a way to meet office requirements without fully disrupting their routines.
Others see it as an escape from return-to-office mandates that don’t consider personal needs or productivity styles. Or a protest against workplace culture that feels too rigid or impersonal.
Still others find it hard to engage with an office environment that feels uninspiring or disconnected.
Add to this the lingering perks of remote work—like avoiding long commutes and tailoring the workday—and it’s no surprise that employees choose to make only a token appearance.
Other trends that coffee-badging has spurred
Some other trends coffee-badging has “inspired”...
Quiet quitting: Strictly sticking to your job description—nothing more, nothing less..
Quiet vacationing: Mixing personal getaways with remote work without officially requesting time off.
Presenteeism: Showing up to work just for the sake of being present, even when sick, burnt out, or not actually productive.
Workplace ghosting: Disappearing from projects or even the company entirely without warning.
…And some consequences…
Resenteeism: Staying in a job you’ve grown to resent but can’t (or won’t) leave, leading to frustration that spills over into the workday.
Quiet cutting: When employers reshuffle roles and responsibilities without asking, leaving employees stuck in jobs they never signed up for.
Proximity bias: Favoring the employees who are always in the office while unintentionally sidelining remote or hybrid workers.
Productivity theater: Putting on a show to look busy—like scheduling endless meetings or sending late-night emails—to impress the boss.
So…What are those “surprisingly easy coffee badging fixes your team will love”?
Here are some surprisingly easy ways to inspire your team to stay engaged.
Enhance office appeal
Create a workplace employees want to spend time in.
Comfortable workspaces with ergonomic furniture, quiet zones, and social areas can make a big difference.
Think about adding amenities like gyms, nap rooms, or even a great coffee bar to sweeten the deal.
Promote open communication
Want to know why employees are coffee badging? Ask them!
Surveys and focus groups can uncover concerns you didn’t know existed. And when employees feel heard, trust improves.
Transparency also matters—explain the “why” behind return-to-office policies and show you’re open to adjusting plans as needed.
Make work purposeful
It’s easier to show up when the work feels meaningful. Help employees connect their day-to-day tasks with larger company goals.
Celebrate successes—big or small—to remind everyone their contributions matter. Recognition isn’t just a motivator; it’s a retention strategy.
Overhaul your approach to meetings
Meetings are a major pain point for many employees. Keep them short and focused, saving the long updates for emails or asynchronous tools.
Use the in-office time for collaboration, brainstorming, and decision-making—the things that are better done face-to-face.
Streamlined meetings mean less frustration and more productivity.
Team-build
Team-building activities are more than just icebreakers—they’re opportunities to strengthen bonds and improve collaboration.
Creative workshops, problem-solving challenges, or scavenger hunts and escape rooms can build trust and morale.
Team building as a coffee-badging cure
Team building isn’t just about fun activities; it’s about creating moments that bring people together.
Whether it’s learning to make pizza, going on a walking tour or cracking codes in an escape room, these experiences help employees bond and work better as a team.
And when the workplace feels more connected, coffee-badging loses its lure.
Dealing with coffee badging through team building in Chicago
Struggling with coffee badging in your Chicago workplace?
Check out our team-building experiences designed to re-engage employees, foster collaboration, and bring back the energy your office needs.
Immersive Escape Rooms: Tackle scenarios like The Bank, Zodiac, The Prison, and The Bunker.
These challenges encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and quick thinking—perfect for breaking the monotony of coffee badging.
Food & Fun Packages: Pair escape rooms with delicious meals from local partners to turn a regular day into an extraordinary one.
Custom Retreats: Combine escape rooms with guided sessions by organizational psychologists to address deeper team dynamics and align goals.
Mobile Escape Room: Can’t make it to us? We’ll bring The Final Exam adventure to your office or venue for a convenient, engaging experience.
Whether you’re recharging your sales team, encouraging cross-department collaboration, or simply rewarding hard work, our activities are a surefire way to make the workplace more engaging.
After all, a connected team is less likely to swipe in and check out.
Easy & no-drama coffee badging fixes—Key takeaways
The fix for coffee badging isn’t about rules—it’s about making work feel purposeful and the office worth the commute.
Start with small changes: better workspaces, clearer communication, and meetings that actually matter.
Team-building activities seal the deal, creating connections that inspire real engagement.
When work feels good, showing up becomes second nature.
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