The issue? People are still reluctant return to office working
Workplace tensions are running high across many businesses that embraced a hybrid working culture during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many businesses are trying to get back to office-based working more regularly, they are being met with resistance by employees who grew to love working from home and/or a more flexible working model.
A recent LinkedIn survey by People Management found that a whopping 69% would look for a new job if asked to increase their office attendance. 77% said that flexible working was more important than a pay rise!
ONS employees recently announced strike action in response to a requirement that they work in the office 2 days per week.
What is coffee badging, and how does it impact employers?
Coffee badging is a US term which refers to the sneaky way some employees are getting around employer monitoring of office attendance. Employees are coming to the office and swiping in but spending only a short amount of time in the office itself – getting a coffee and chatting – before returning home. The workplace metrics show office attendance but, in reality, the employee has only ‘passed through’ in the early part of the day.
What can you do as an employer?
If you’ve put office attendance monitoring systems in place, you need to make it clear that your policy is one of full-day office attendance on office working days. You also need to consider what action you’re willing to take when someone breaches the rules.
There is a very delicate balance to be struck here, with a real risk of loss of trust issues developing.
Employees feel that surveillance systems show a lack of trust.
Rather than relying on surveillance and rigid rules, you may want to consider coming alongside employees to understand why they are ‘coffee-badging’ rather than embracing in-office working. There are significant mental health benefits to office working and working together in person can improve innovation and collaboration. Education may triumph over discipline to encourage people back to the office.
Further reading
- People Management Survey
- How to improve flexible working in your organisation – CIPD
- Is your remote job making you lonely?
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