Office Pranks: 7 Ways We Get Back at Bosses and Colleagues

Work can be a real grind, especially when it involves constant interaction and a less-than-stellar paycheck. This often leads employees to channel their frustration into creative ways of undermining the workplace. Here are 7 ways we sometimes unwittingly "prank" our way through work.

Work can be a real grind, especially when it involves constant interaction and a less-than-stellar paycheck. This often leads employees to channel their frustration into creative ways of undermining the workplace. Here are 7 ways we sometimes unwittingly "prank" our way through work.

Pranking Colleagues: Creative Mischief

Office pranks aren’t as complicated as they might seem. Adding salt to a colleague's tea, hiding personal items, or even placing a dead cockroach in a sandwich—these are examples of how some of us amuse ourselves. Let’s not forget the “experts” in raiding the communal fridge. It seems that the more we despise our jobs, the more inventive we become with petty mischief.

Doing a Half-Baked Job

There are employees who don’t care about the quality of their work. Hatred for their job, boss, and colleagues is reflected in their half-hearted efforts. For them, it’s more about showing up and leaving than actually doing something meaningful. They work with the attitude that they’ve done enough and keep their faces serious, as if they’re working hard.

Office Slacking: How to Avoid Work

In the office, it’s hard to hide from work, but there are sneaky ways to do so. One popular method is spending time on social media. Those without computer access find other ways to slack off—frequent breaks, inventing non-existent problems, or even creating new tasks.

Burning Everything with Blue Flames: Getting Back at the Boss

Had a rough day at work? Why not create a bit of chaos? Breaking equipment, “entertaining” your keyboard with crumbs, or spilling soda on documents are great ways to let off steam. Let your boss and colleagues feel a bit of the frustration that you experience.

Everything That’s Not Secure: The Tradition of Theft

Theft in the office is nothing new. Some take office equipment, others stationery, and some even money from the till. Small-scale thefts have become a routine part of office life. Some even see it as compensation for low wages and lack of opportunities.

Office Gossip: Rumors and Hype

Gossip in female workplaces is well-known, but when men start participating, it’s even more disheartening. Stories about corporate intrigues, personal scandals, and parties become topics of discussion, diverting attention from actual work and undermining the workplace atmosphere.

Rudeness to Clients: Revenge for Everything

When dissatisfaction with one’s position and job spills over into rudeness toward clients, it becomes especially noticeable. If an employee is unhappy with their life, clients often bear the brunt. The person may think they are getting back at their boss, but it only worsens their own situation.

All this reflects how internal conflicts and dissatisfaction can manifest in the workplace. We live in a world where our small acts of revenge and mischief become ways to cope with our failures. However, it’s worth considering if it might be better to channel that energy into something positive rather than destructive.