‘Coffee badging’ and employee rights: Alex Lucifero with CTV News

Interview Summary

More workplaces have adopted hybrid arrangements over the past few years, and new trends and workplace phenomena have occurred. The latest term added to an ever-changing workplace vocabulary is “coffee badging“. What does this term mean and how can employers and employees ensure employees are obeying employment laws?

Alex Lucifero, an Ontario employment lawyer and Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP joined CTV News Ottawa to discuss the term and the ensuing impact on the workplace.

Interview Notes

• Defining “coffee badging”: Lucifero explained that the term refers to employees in a hybrid work arrangement who show up to the workplace for a short period, and then head home for the majority of the work day. “It’s a degree of showing that you’re in the workplace in a remote or hybrid situation, but doing most of your work from home.”
• Need for strict in-office policies: This pattern of behaviour should be addressed as it speaks to fairness in the workplace. “if employers are going to have a hybrid or remote work situation, it should be applied to all employees fairly and equally,” said Lucifero. “If an employee is not following policies in the workplace, employers should be keeping an eye on it.”
• Flexibility in the workplace: Lucifero went on to offer some advice for employers who are unsure how to navigate this situation. “In any policy, it must be very clear and followed.” Lucifero also reiterated the importance of having these terms outlined in an employment contract for employees. “An employer can’t change these policies as they go without employee consent.”

Related Resources

For further insights and discussions related to employee rights, explore the following resources:

• Quiet Quitting
• Quiet Firing