Millennials Use Coffee Badging to Challenge Return-to-Office Mandates

Millennials are increasingly adopting a tactic known as “coffee badging” to resist return-to-office (RTO) mandates, sparking a workplace culture shift that is challenging corporate policies. Coffee badging involves employees physically showing up at the office briefly—often just long enough to clock in, grab a coffee, and exchange a few greetings—before returning to remote work. This behavior has evolved from a subtle workaround into a widespread phenomenon, with businesses now struggling to manage its implications [1].

Recent data highlights the scale of the issue. Forty-four percent of hybrid workers in the U.S. admit to coffee badging, and over 58% of 2,000 surveyed workers have participated in the practice at least once. Moreover, 75% of companies report struggling with the behavior, indicating it is not confined to specific industries or company sizes. The issue has drawn enough attention that Samsung and Amazon—two major employers—have taken steps to address it. Samsung’s U.S. semiconductor division recently introduced a compliance tool for managers to monitor office attendance, while Amazon has started holding individual conversations with employees about their in-office hours [1].

The growing prevalence of coffee badging reveals a deeper rift between corporate expectations and employee preferences. Many millennials, who now make up a large portion of the workforce, view in-person work as a performative obligation rather than a necessity for productivity. One study found that 47% of managers admitted to engaging in the practice themselves—higher than the 34% of individual contributors—suggesting it is deeply embedded in the organizational culture [1].

Companies are responding with a range of strategies. Some are tightening attendance tracking, with 60% of firms now monitoring badge swipes, a figure that has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic. Others are moving toward results-based evaluations and offering improved office amenities or more flexible scheduling to make in-office time more appealing. However, many leaders remain concerned that coffee badging may signal broader disengagement and that rigid RTO mandates are backfiring [1].

The issue is not merely about compliance; it reflects a fundamental redefinition of how work is conducted and valued. As long as remote work remains viable and employees continue to see in-office time as performative, companies will need to reassess the office’s role beyond enforcement. Coffee badging underscores the importance of aligning workplace policies with employee expectations, particularly among younger generations who prioritize flexibility and autonomy [1].

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[1] What Is Coffee Badging? (https://fortune.com/2025/08/06/what-is-coffee-badging-remote-work-return-to-office-revolt-millennials/)