| Practical Jokes in the Workplace…
If you read the research conducted by the Great Places to Work Institute and the Gallup Organization, building camaraderie and having fun at work are hallmarks of organizations ranked each year as best places to work. Practical jokes, when done well, can play a part in the fun.
I am an advocate of a culture that encourages fun at work. Let’s face it: it is far more the general rule rather than the exception that most folks work in a very intense environment. Our lives are incredibly busy as we work in deadline, results-oriented cultures. Even a job you LOVE can be stressful if there is no break in the intensity. Which is why practical jokes make so much sense!
Possibly one of the best practical jokes that was played on me was by the shipping supervisor of a firm in which I was the Director of HR. He snuck in (meaning “broke in”) to my office one night and shrink wrapped my entire office. Every file cabinet, every desk drawer, my PC, every pen on my desk. Every single item in that office was wrapped in saran wrap. I marveled at the sheer brilliance of his efforts.
In returning the favor, I filled the cab of his newly acquired pick- up truck with popcorn. Not the buttered kind (I didn’t want stains on his seat), but the dry popcorn that you can buy in the 10 gallon bags from the grocery store (I spent a fortune on my retaliation). Needless to say, he was NOT happy. Somehow he didn’t have a sense of humor over cleaning this up. We were able to get by that, but it did take some time.
Although I am an advocate of practical jokes in the workplace, I do think they should be considered with caution. The adage “know your audience” is extremely relevant. You must know the parties involved very well, and should anticipate their reactions. In an increasingly diverse workforce, the response to a prank will vary greatly. Before you launch that prank, I would encourage you to ensure you are comfortable that no one will be offended by your actions.
With April Fool’s upon us, I encourage everyone to be creative in their delivery, while ensuring you know your audience. Practical jokes, conducted with careful consideration, can enhance the camaraderie in an organization. Looks like we’ve all got an opportunity to build upon that strength in our workplace.
~ Kathy Albarado, President & CEO, Helios HR
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This is a topic near and dear to my heart. I have spent my entire life delivering practical jokes on friends, family, and yes, even co-workers. People who know me in a professional setting often have a hard time imagining the antics I share with them that my poor sister endured growing up.| Issue 4 | April 2008 |
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