Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
CTV
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Add "coffee badging" to the list of post-pandemic workplace culture coinage to keep track of in 2024.
The term, which was coined by video conferencing tech company Owl Labs in 2023, has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the habit it refers to.
According to Owl Labs, "coffee badging" is when employees of companies with return-to-office (RTO) mandates go into office to "show face" for a few hours, then head back home to finish the work day.
The company's "State of Hybrid Work 2023" report found more than half (58 per cent) of hybrid employees they surveyed admitted to having done it, while a further eight per cent said they haven't, but would like to try.
Now, Amazon appears to be taking aim at the trend.
Earlier this week, Business Insider and the Seattle Times reported they had obtained Slack messages from Amazon workers who said there has been some talk among management of a minimum number of hours per day employees could be expected to spend in the office in order to meet the company's RTO mandate. Amazon announced in 2023 it would require employees to work from the office at least three days a week.
The daily minimum hours expectation is not a formal policy change, the Seattle Times reports, and does not appear to apply uniformly to all departments. The Seattle Times also reported some teams within Amazon have been told they must be in the office for two hours each day, while Business Insider reports some were told there would be a six-hour minimum.
