Office Pranked!

As a writer and copy editor for a busy Southern California advertising agency, I spend an awful lot of time at the office. In fact (and this is a little sad to admit) it’s safe to say that I spend more time in that glass high-rise than I do at home. With all those long hours, endless client presentations, and seriously hard work, there’s one thing that still makes me look forward to guiding my little yellow VW onto the 405 every morning: my coworkers.

I know it sounds a little clichéd, but in my department, we really are a family. Well, a mischievous family, anyhow. That’s because we’ve developed a rather hysterical way to cut through the tedium of long days at the office. And no one is safe. From the mail clerk and the HR manager to the CEO and computer techs, we have ALL been victims of the infamous 16th floor prank war.

Monday morning, upon returning from a week of vacation, our art director found that she’d been foiled again—literally. A few of us had spent about an hour on Friday wrapping her office in aluminum foil. Chairs, desk, computer, picture frames… everything. It took her forever to unwrap it all (shouting her vow for vengeance the entire time, of course).

And so the idea for this blog was born. A way to share our mischief… and maybe learn a new trick or two. Feel free to add your own ideas, comment on ours, and let me know your favorite pranks. But before pulling any of these on your own little office family, make sure that your coworkers would be ok with a little fun and games. (Because there is nothing funny about getting fired!) I’d be especially careful about pranking the boss—unless you’re 100% positive that they’ve got a great sense of humor.

If you’re as lucky as I am, then your boss and office mates are all in on the fun. So let the games begin! And when you least expect it… expect it.