The Pongo Blog
5 April Fool's Pranks You Can Safely Pull at Work
March 31, 2010 (11:44AM) by Team Pongo
April Fool's is a great time to let off steam with a good practical joke (like the ones Jim pulls on Dwight in practically every episode of "The Office").
But if you're at work, you have to keep your pranks practical and safe for the office. And by that we mean they should cause no permanent damage to employers' or co-workers' property (or psyches), and should not involve any activity referred to in the Employee Handbook as "grounds for termination." Also, no mean-spirited personal attacks.
With that in mind, here's a list of 5 classic pranks that (usually) won't compromise your job security:
- Toss someone's cell phone up in the drop-ceiling above their desk, then call the number and watch them frantically try to figure out where it's coming from.
- Place a piece of scotch tape on the bottom of a co-worker's mouse so it covers the laser or roller ball (for older mice) and prevents the pointer from moving on the screen.
- Tape down the button on someone's desk phone, so when they get a call and pick up the handset, the phone keeps ringing.
- Leave a note "from the boss" on a late-arriver's desk that reads, "I need to see you in my office as soon as you get in."
- Tape a walkie-talkie to the underside of the person's desk. Go out in the hall and whisper random things into the other walkie-talkie.
What are your favorite April Fool's pranks? Give us ideas while there's still time!
I find these ideas offensive and would never pull them on someone.
Posted by: Kilroyenterprise@aol.com | March 31, 2010 at 8:29 PM | Quote This Comment
It happened to me 10 year ago. My employer pulled a prank on me. They took the table from the small hallway put it were it can't be seen. Put popcorn Styrofoam on the floor with the lights out with a sing on the door that read Moved see Richard next door for new location.
Posted by: Manuel Lim | April 02, 2010 at 8:12 PM | Quote This Comment
Love the ideas and I think anyone who finds them offensive really needs to get a life and a sense of humor... Well Done!!
Posted by: Rob | April 02, 2010 at 10:45 PM | Quote This Comment
Speaking as an employer a couple of these would be cute, but one would have the pranjster bot only looking for a senxe of humor, but a job... be careful.
Don't watch too much of "The Office" thses guys have fun, but produce very little work.
If you think I'm too stuffy as an employer you need to consider one fact. Every one of my employees started in some old car and now drives a Mercedes, and I help them to get that far. We have laughs, but not at others expense.
Posted by: Brent | April 03, 2010 at 1:25 AM | Quote This Comment
I think you should just take into consideration the context. Any of these would have been great at my current job, but not in others. Also, some people would find it funny, while others in the same situation would just get offended.
Posted by: Anna | April 03, 2010 at 11:58 AM | Quote This Comment
@Kilroyenterprise >> You were being sarcastic in the spirit of April Fool's, right? Because otherwise, dude.... (what Rob said)!
@Manuel >> That's a good one! Pretty elaborate.
@Rob >> Thanks, glad you liked 'em!
@Brent >> You gotta tell us... which is the one prank that'd cause you to fire the perpetrator? (We don't want to be responsible for someone losing their Mercedes!)
@Anna >> Very true! You are the voice of reason.
Thanks for the comments , everyone!
Posted by: Team Pongo | April 05, 2010 at 2:30 PM | Quote This Comment