Coffee badging: The new badge of defiance brewing in the US hybrid work culture

Once a casual caffeine ritual, “coffee badging” has emerged as a subtle act of rebellion in hybrid workplaces. According to Monster’s 2025 Coffee Badging Survey, 12% of employees now badge in, grab coffee, and leave to work remotely—symbolising the modern tug-of-war between corporate visibility and personal autonomy in an era redefining the meaning of showing up.