8.28.24
By Jennifer Jacobus, PHRca, SDEA CEO 
Piggybacking on an SDEA newsletter article from two weeks ago which discussed return to work mandates, the newest term employers need to be aware of is “coffee badging”.
As companies increase in-office days in their hybrid work policies, employees who are dissatisfied with the change have discovered a way to bypass the new requirements, “coffee badging”. Coffee badging involves employees clocking into the office and staying just long enough to get a coffee, return some emails, and be seen in the office before leaving to avoid the afternoon traffic.
While we first heard of coffee badging last year, the term has popped up again recently as we have seen some major employers ramp up their in-office requirements.
Employers wishing to monitor badge swipes and maybe computer activity are permitted to do so; employees should not have an expectation of privacy in these areas. Employers should also review their policies for hybrid work arrangements, attendance monitoring, and progressive discipline for workers with attendance violations. Be clear with every employee about the company’s expectations for on-site work hours, use of security badges, and monitoring of employee attendance through badge swipes.
Coffee badging is another sign of the disconnect between employees and management on remote and hybrid work.
Employers are encouraged to consider what will motivate their employees and whether or not RTO mandates really do increase productivity.
Questions? Call SDEA at 858-505-0024.