We know that a lot can happen over a cup of coffee, thanks to a coffee outlet that popularized the line.

However, organizations across are seeing very little happen over coffee. HR professionals are raising alarm bells over what they call coffee badging, a worrisome workplace trend.

Coffee badging is being adopted as a superficial “return to office” strategy, according to a news report on Moneycontrol.com. It comprises symbolic visits to the office for coffee breaks, while trying to give an impression that they are working on site, added the report.

The trend is being seen as a response or resistance to being called in to work. HR professionals consider the trend to be a result of the emphasis on clocking in a specific number of hours and not factoring in quality of work, output, and collaboration.

Coffee badging calls for concerted efforts by leaders across levels to stem the trouble:

• Companies must outline expectations from in-office and remote work.
• Middle-level managers should know how to look at outcomes without solely focusing on presence.
• Senior managers should refrain from indulging in coffee badging to serve as role models for newcomers and those reporting to them.
• Organizations have to focus on quality work, collaboration, and teamwork.