Make sure your pranks would not be considered harassment (including sexual harassment). If you’re unclear on the rules or unsure about whether a prank would be allowed in the workplace, it’s best to talk to your supervisor to get permission first. Describe the types of pranks you’re planning and see what he or she says.
If you’re going to dish out pranks, you’ll need to anticipate pranks in return. A good gauge is to ask yourself, “Would I be upset at all if someone did this to me?” (And someone almost certainly will. ) Think about any possible repercussions that might arise from your prank. [3] X Research source Avoid any pranks involving race, religion, or sex. You should also generally avoid any pranks that might make someone uncomfortable.
Do not play a prank on anyone you’ve had tension or feuds with in the past, as a prank may set that individual off. Avoid pranking your boss unless you know him or her extraordinarily well and can pull off a prank that won’t challenge his/her authority. Without some type of close, personal relationship with your boss, your pranks could land you in hot water. [5] X Research source Don’t prank anyone who is considered vulnerable or easily upset. This could create a very negative situation at your office and may result in you being reprimanded.
If your pranks disrupt work productivity in any way, or if they unfold in front of an important person (like the CEO or a prospective business partner), your prank may get you fired. Remember that your pranks are not being played on your friends at home. Your office friends may have a different sense of humor and different boundaries, so be respectful of where and when you pull off a prank. [7] X Research source
Put a Post-It note on the underside of a coworker’s computer mouse. Trim the sides so that the paper isn’t sticking out. The goal is for your coworker to not realize that the mouse’s laser track is just covered up. Watch as your coworker tries and fails to get his or her mouse to work.
You can make the desktop background a photo of the wall behind that computer. You can also use a photo of your face, or of something that will get a laugh (like your coworker’s face edited into a ridiculous photo). [10] X Research source Make sure the photograph(s) you use won’t upset anyone. Don’t use anything sexually suggestive or racially/ethnically offensive.
You can make your prank calls even more convincing by using an unrecognizable voice and phone number. Have a friend (whose voice won’t be recognized) make the call for you from a blocked phone number. You can also try using a service like Prank Me or similar services. Prank Me charges 99 cents (USD) for a blocked phone number and your choice of pre-recorded responses. [12] X Research source Have the person prank calling your coworker complain about something work-related. You might even have the person tell your coworker that your supervisor wants to see him/her. However, make sure your supervisor is in on the fun; otherwise you might end up getting in trouble for wasting everyone’s time.
You can fill an office with packing peanuts, since many offices have these on hand. [13] X Research source You can also fill an office with balloons. Just make sure you bring an air pump so you don’t have to blow them all up by mouth. [14] X Research source Try wrapping a coworker’s office (both furniture and equipment) in tin foil or newspaper, or covering the office in Post-It notes. They’re easy to remove but will still get a laugh. [15] X Research source
Take a picture of the phone’s receiver so you know the exact color to look for. Go to an office supply store and find a roll of tape that matches the phone’s color perfectly. When your coworker is out of the office (either in the morning or during a lunch break), carefully apply pieces of the tape to the part of the receiver where your coworker speaks into the phone. Make sure the tape doesn’t extend past that part of the receiver. If your coworker grabs the phone and feels tape extending all the way around, he or she will realize what happened. You may want to try to replicate the pattern of holes in that part of the receiver so that your coworker won’t notice the tape. Use a black marker and try to recreate the pattern as closely as possible.
Inflate the whoopee cushion. You’ll need to blow it up by mouth, but make sure it’s not so full that the cushion is bulging and noticeable. It will be fairly obvious that there is a whoopee cushion there if it’s left sitting plainly on the chair. Look for a coworker who uses a seat cushion or leaves his/her sweater hanging off the back of the chair. Place the whoopee cushion either under the seat cushion or against the back of the chair. If using the back of the chair, drape your coworker’s sweater over it so that the whoopee cushion will remain hidden. Make sure the coworker you choose has a good sense of humor. Many people would be embarrassed or even mildly angry to be the victim of this prank, so choose carefully.
Make sure the fake newspaper isn’t offensive or inappropriate for work. You can also upload photos to your computer and put together a fake office newsletter to email to your coworkers. Make it look like a local paper, and have a headline somewhere on the front page about the office filing for bankruptcy or laying off most of its staff. Be sure the joke doesn’t go on for too long, as this could start false rumors that could get you in trouble.
Get a doughnut box. You can either buy a dozen doughnuts and eat them all at home, or just ask an employee at a doughnut shop for an empty box. Fill the box with fresh veggies. Make sure they’re not damp so that the packaging doesn’t get wet; otherwise you might give your prank away. Leave the box in the break room or kitchen area with a note that reads, “Free doughnuts today - take one!”
Print out an official-looking memo that says the office equipment has been upgraded to have voice-activated technology. Then watch as coworkers try to talk (and eventually yell) at the printer or copy machine. [20] X Research source You can also tape a funny photograph under the cover of a scanner or copy machine. When your coworkers open the lid to use the equipment they’ll be in for a humorous surprise. [21] X Research source You can also run a job that uses all the paper in the printer, but that may get you in trouble.
