More than two-thirds of execs say pranks don't belong at work
Silly string, saran wrapped toilet seats and fake resignation letters abound in workplaces on April Fools' Day but workplace tricksters should tread carefully, according to a new survey.
More than two-thirds (71 per cent) of the 150 marketing executives polled by Menlo Park, Calif.-based staffing firm The Creative Group consider April Fools' jokes unsuitable for the office. However, only 45 per cent of the 150 advertising executives surveyed gave workplace pranks the thumbs down.
"When it comes to April Fools' jokes or other office pranks, employees should know their audience and use good judgment," says Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group. "Company cultures differ significantly, so what is viewed as light-hearted fun in one environment maybe frowned upon in another."
Employees should avoid pranks that are mean spirited or damaging to someone's professional reputation, added Slabinski.
While pranks aren't always appreciated in the workplace, 32 per cent of workers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com say they have either initiated or been on the receiving end of an April Fools' Day prank at work.
Here are 10 of the most memorable pranks from this year's survey:
1. Placed a pair of pants and shoes inside the only toilet stall in a men's room to make it appear someone was using the stall. It sat there for hours until someone called security to check if the person had died.
2. Sent a fake love note to a co-worker from another co-worker.
3. All the women in office individually spoke to the president, confiding that she is pregnant. By noon, he 'knew' that all of his female workers were pregnant and he could not tell anyone because each asked for confidentially.
4. Called the electric company, used a co-worker's name and told them he was moving so the electricity got turned off at the co-worker's house.
5. Filled the vending soda machine with cans of beer.
6. Rigged the boss' chair to drop suddenly during a staff meeting.
7. Placed a sign on the restroom door that read, "The company ran out of toilet tissue; please use your own resources."
8. Paged a co-worker over the loud speaker claiming the CEO was looking for him. The worker went into the CEOs office and the CEO didn't know who he was or why he was there.
9. Shrink-wrapped everything in a co-worker's cubicle.
10. Put a 'house for sale' ad in the newspaper regarding a co-worker's home
More than two-thirds (71 per cent) of the 150 marketing executives polled by Menlo Park, Calif.-based staffing firm The Creative Group consider April Fools' jokes unsuitable for the office. However, only 45 per cent of the 150 advertising executives surveyed gave workplace pranks the thumbs down.
"When it comes to April Fools' jokes or other office pranks, employees should know their audience and use good judgment," says Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group. "Company cultures differ significantly, so what is viewed as light-hearted fun in one environment maybe frowned upon in another."
Employees should avoid pranks that are mean spirited or damaging to someone's professional reputation, added Slabinski.
While pranks aren't always appreciated in the workplace, 32 per cent of workers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com say they have either initiated or been on the receiving end of an April Fools' Day prank at work.
Here are 10 of the most memorable pranks from this year's survey:
1. Placed a pair of pants and shoes inside the only toilet stall in a men's room to make it appear someone was using the stall. It sat there for hours until someone called security to check if the person had died.
2. Sent a fake love note to a co-worker from another co-worker.
3. All the women in office individually spoke to the president, confiding that she is pregnant. By noon, he 'knew' that all of his female workers were pregnant and he could not tell anyone because each asked for confidentially.
4. Called the electric company, used a co-worker's name and told them he was moving so the electricity got turned off at the co-worker's house.
5. Filled the vending soda machine with cans of beer.
6. Rigged the boss' chair to drop suddenly during a staff meeting.
7. Placed a sign on the restroom door that read, "The company ran out of toilet tissue; please use your own resources."
8. Paged a co-worker over the loud speaker claiming the CEO was looking for him. The worker went into the CEOs office and the CEO didn't know who he was or why he was there.
9. Shrink-wrapped everything in a co-worker's cubicle.
10. Put a 'house for sale' ad in the newspaper regarding a co-worker's home
