Office Pranks

Having Fun At Work

By Samantha Read

      Everyone gets bored at work. It's inevitable. While we don't want to encourage slacking, there's nothing wrong with having a little fun now and then to spice things up. On that note, we present some of the best office pranks...

Lions, Tigers and Bears, Line One

Leave a message for a co-worker that a "Mr. Bear" called for them. Write down the number for the local zoo as the phone number to call. If this name doesn't strike your fancy, try "Ellie Font," "Ty Gere," or "Anna Conda" on for size.

Get Even With Serial E-mailers

This is the perfect way to get back at that individual who insists on forwarding every piece of e-mail they can get their hands on: Subscribe them to every e-newsletter in existence. Pay a visit to your neighborhood search engine and type in "newsletters" or "subscribe". The good people at E-Newsletters have plenty to choose from. Once a day, once a week, you'll find something that strikes your fancy. With a few simple clicks of the mouse your e-mail-fixated co-worker can receive 100's of newsletters every week. A word of caution, though, use only in extreme measures, as it's next to impossible to get off all the mailing lists.

What's In a Name?

Wait until everyone has gone home (or better yet, before anyone arrives), and switch the nameplates from their desks and doors. Switch them around enough so that everyone has someone else's nameplate on their desk or door.

A Little Job Insecurity Never Hurt Anyone

This one's rather sinister: Advertise a colleague's job, leaving their name and number for contact. Make sure it is well-paying with low qualifications for that extra zing.

Add A Little Drama to the Workplace

Talk shows and reality TV are constant water cooler conversations, so this one will be easy to use. Call one of your co-workers and inform them that you're a producer from the Maury show and that someone from their past would like to confront or reunite with them on the show. Talk about airline reservations, hotel accommodations etc. (bonus points if you use actual hotels) to make the prank even more believable. When they ask for more information, tell them that you're not able to give out any further information and that they'll find out the day of the show. You'll actually be able to see the wheel in their brain spinning like crazy as they're trying to think who'd be wanting to get in touch with them, and they'll get absolutely nothing done that day. Hilarious.

Confuse-A-Co-worker

Sloppily write the following on a scrap piece of paper: "Sorry about the dent. You were parked awkwardly and I had some problems, but my insurance will cover it. Besides, it's only a small dent, right? Once again, sorry." Put it on the boss or colleague's car in the parking lot, and then find a place to see the confusion unfold.

Speak Up, Sonny

Inform your co-workers that a new employee is very hard of hearing, and that you must speak very loudly to them as they're sensitive about asking people to speak up. Then sit back and watch everyone shout at them for the rest of the day.