What Is 'Coffee Badging' And How Should Employers Respond?

Employers worldwide are increasingly observing a new phenomenon at work. Employees are only briefly appearing at the office, clocking in (or 'badging'), and then disappearing again shortly afterwards. This form of symbolic presence, known as 'coffee badging', may seem inconspicuous at first, but it points to fundamental tensions in modern working life. How should 'coffee badging' be classified under German labour law, and how should employers handle it?

What is 'coffee badging'?

The phenomenon of 'coffee badging' has emerged primarily as a result of companies mandating their workforce to return to the office following the pandemic-driven trend of remote working. Many employers have clear expectations associated with on-site presence: personal interaction is intended to strengthen collaboration, conflicts can be resolved directly and more efficiently, and teamwork benefits from physical proximity. Spontaneous conversations and immediate coordination are also