Joking in the Workplace Pleasantville NJ

Dear Sue: Is it okay to play practical jokes on people? I supervised a worker who always slept at his desk during his lunch break. As he slept during lunch one day, I conspired with the rest of the staff. We set the clock ahead so that it was a few minutes after quitting time. We took our coats, left the office, and waited outside the door. We called the office to wake him up, and then watched him bolt through the door toward the parking lot as he headed for home. He took it good-naturedly.

Another time when I was traveling in Europe with our division VP, he asked me to hand-carry home a large box of delicate wine glasses, while he stayed on for more business. I did him the favor, but evened the score by opening the box, replacing the glasses with castoff laboratory glassware, then stomping on the box until the contents were broken beyond recognition. I left the mess on his conference table for him to discover when he returned. He, too, took it good-naturedly. Is anything wrong with having some fun?

- Joker

Sue says: Obviously, you enjoy playing practical jokes, and have gotten by with your shenanigans over the years. However, there must be a reason you are asking my opinion, and I wonder if it is because not all of your “victims” are as good natured as the two you wrote about.

The problem with playing practical jokes on people is that you literally are “playing” with them. The more people you involve, the more likely someone will feel embarrassed or picked o...

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