April Fools’ day dilemma: Is workplace banter going too far

With April Fool’s Day just around the corner, there’ll be plenty of people thinking of pranking their colleagues. But there is a big debate around whether it’s still acceptable for employees to prank each other in the workplace. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

People will say office pranks are just a bit of fun. However, there is a fine line between harmless fun and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. The fallout from an employee pranking their colleague and it not going down well can have disastrous consequences, especially for the employer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a recent poll by North Wales based JVP Group employers were asked if they think pranking colleagues in the workplace is still acceptable, 31% stated that they don’t think it’s acceptable and their organisation wouldn’t allow it. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

So, if you think that your role as the office jester is critical to the health and wellbeing of your organisation and just can’t resist wrapping someone’s chair in gift wrap, filling the meeting room with balloons, or placing plastic snakes in desk drawers, please think about the potential consequences. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Alan Townsend, Managing Director at talent attraction specialists JVP Group comments “Creating a positive working environment for all employees is vital in retaining and attracting talented people. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

So today Managers are the first line of defence when it comes to recognising when pranks go too far and setting a clear standard for workplace behaviour. It is important that they understand both their responsibility and the potential downside associated with inappropriate workplace pranks. Nobody wants to be a killjoy, but the workplace needs to be a positive environment for everyone not just the pranksters.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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