I am all for having fun at work, when it is appropriate.

89 Comments

1. KatJuly 20,2022 at 1:46PM UTC

   I have never heard of this in any company. Not only is it inappropriate and unprofessional, it's ridiculously immature behavior. This is something 8 year-olds do, not people (men or women) in their 40s. Does the boss know about this? If so, what is their reaction - do they think it's funny and you should just relax? Is it a family owned company, and these women are relatives of the boss? It sounds like this has been ongoing with no consequences to the women, so it's probably not going to change. Not sure if there's anything you can do to change the culture here, unless everyone goes to the boss and demands that this stop. If you're in the minority and the rest of the office is ok with this behavior (or they're all related so the dynamic is different) consider finding a job with a better culture fit.

2. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 3:31PM UTC

   Here's the thing, they are both Executive Directors of their own departments! They are leadership. I don't work under them thankfully, but it is not a good impression on new people coming in. Not a small company, just casual. I just have never seen such behavior before and they laugh about it all the time. They think they are funny, no one else does.

3. Rosemary Chevere Ramos BradleyJuly 22,2022 at 1:26PM UTC

   I suggest, as some have already, that you speak to them in a simple and respectful manner 1st stating a fact, e.g., “not everyone likes this” and then a question they have to answer, e.g., “Is it possible for you to do back off on this at work?”

4. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 3:29PM UTC

   It's a passive aggressive game that helps them feel a sense of control. Undermining people with this tactic is creepy but sounds like it's tolerated.

   It's a way to set themselves apart with dominance. There's a psychological term for it but I can't remember it.

5. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 3:46PM UTC

   Just weird. ask them to stop. There are other ways to have fun at work.

6. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 7:08PM UTC

   This could be triggering for people if they've had previous trauma. It's not terribly empathetic and I would address this either with them directly in a professional way and/or take it up with whomever is in charge.

7. Julie HumbirdJuly 20,2022 at 8:11PM UTC

   I might honestly wet my pants if someone did that to me in an office. Someone needs to talk to them. They should be challenged to come up with more creative ways of having fun in the office that would not lead to someone punching them.

8. LadeybuggJuly 22,2022 at 4:48PM UTC

   I had this happen to me and I actually DID wet my pants. I did not tell anyone about it. Nothing earth shattering thank God, I wasn’t soaked through and I did manage to get through the rest of the day, but very upsetting and embarrassing. The culprit thought she was very funny and did it again several times. She no longer works there.

9. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 2:58AM UTC

   I jumped out of my chair one time when a co worker needed Something and they were behind me. Can’t imagine if someone jumped out at me.

10. Jocelyn LyonsJuly 20,2022 at 8:17PM UTC

    It sounds like they mean well, but I agree that this isn't appropriate.

11. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 8:32PM UTC

    People who mess with other people and hide behind the "all in the name of fun" get a serious kick out of it. There is some twisted power trip going on.

12. Stephanie KellyJuly 21,2022 at 12:12PM UTC

    Totally agree. "Fun at work" should be inclusive, and this, by design is not. Startling people is akin to bullying for me... "harmless" bullying maybe, but still.

13. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 9:08PM UTC

    I agree it is odd, especially at their age. But perception is always key right? On one hand some could think that this is a work environment and there is a time and place. But on the other hand, if your boss has set the tone for the office to be playful to the extent they are conducting themselves and most are not bothered by it, then it is better to just ignore it and move on. However, if they did it to me and I am not open to that kind of behavior I would immediately set the boundary and make it clear for them to not do it again and follow up with an email and cc my supervisor and their supervisor to reinforce the unwelcome behavior. But if they do it to other people, nothing much you can do about it, especially if those other people are not necessarily bothered by it.

14. AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 9:08PM UTC

    Not fun. Not funny. Completely inappropriate - especially for grown ass women in their 40s.

    Can you imagine how someone would feel if they did this to someone who had been attacked previously?

    If they did this to me, I would deck the closest one and say "well, you scared me".

    Completely out of line. I've been in the professional working world for 40 years and have never encountered anything like this.

15. Dagney TaggartJuly 22,2022 at 1:08PM UTC

    Likewise! My first reaction is always to fight. I’d be the one thrown in jail because I’d end up with an assault charge!

16. JenniferJuly 20,2022 at 9:54PM UTC

    I hate being startled. I startle easily and have zero patience for someone doing it intentionally. It's also really weird for a work setting. Even though I really really hate being startled, I still wouldn't assume malice

    I suggest just approaching the women and saying something like "Hey, I know you don't mean any harm when you jump out and startle people, and you're just trying to create a fun work environment, but it's actually having the opposite effect. It has made people uncomfortable, and contributes to people feeling more on edge. Fight-or-flight is an unpleasant feeling (by design!), and it's hard to relax, focus, and do your best work when you're also having to be alert for directors leaping out of the shadows. For some people, it can be really harmful physically or mentally. I know you wouldn't want to do that, so I'm giving you a heads up."

    Without knowing them, I have no idea if the feedback will be taken as intended, but this really seems like oblivious people doing something thoughtless, not some evil power play.

17. Elena CirilloJuly 21,2022 at 12:45PM UTC

    There’s a casual way to go about it without creating an awkward HR type threat. I would just tell them next time they do it that it could actually bring on peoples anxiety. Don’t do it at the workplace, try it out at home with your kids!

18. Regina BennettJuly 22,2022 at 2:21PM UTC

    I think I’d go with another poster’s suggestion about causing a heart attack. If these coworkers can’t already see the immaturity in their behavior, I doubt they’d be respectful of other people’s mental health concerns (you know, because mental health isn’t “real” health) and they’d just double down on the bullying behavior. A heart attack, though, might actually mean something to them.

19. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 1:07PM UTC

    I have never heard of this in my entire working life. It's not going to be funny when it triggers a heart attack for someone.

20. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 1:41PM UTC

    I worked for over 18 years in a very, very toxic environment. Small, locally owned business. We had a lot of fun, it was a very casual atmosphere. Some of the "men" I worked with liked to have "fun" in this manner-mostly because I tend to scare pretty easy. Where I work now, that is NOT a thing and I am grateful!!! Very childish behavior in my opinion. And while we were younger then, it still baffles as to why people would do something like that just for a laugh. It's only funny to them!

21. SBJuly 21,2022 at 2:05PM UTC

    You are not being old-fashioned (fuddy-duddy). That is highly unprofessional. I work with a lot of women much younger than me that are top-drawer professionals and if that took place, I would report it. It can also be seen as "bullying" although clearly they see it as "fun" in welcoming a new hire? No, this is not ok.

22. AnonymousJuly 21,2022 at 2:15PM UTC

    Okay , sorry but I have PTSD and my reaction is always to neutralize any perceived attack. I'm afraid that these two could seriously be injured if that were to happen to me. Their supervisor needs to know and this must stop now, before they get injured and before they and the company wind up being sued because we all know that this is not in anyone's job description!

23. Heather BinghamJuly 22,2022 at 12:23PM UTC

    I wouldn't like it and I wouldn't like to work in an organisation where this sort of larkiness took place. I also can agree with everyone who says that to be startled in this way could trigger all sorts of different reactions that have no place in any workplace and could lead to something quite serious occurring. However, I guess you need to view it against the overall culture of your workplace. Is this a totally outlying behaviour, or is it merely the extreme of a very jokey culture that actually serves the organisation well? You are not a "fuddy duddy" for not liking it - not at all - but if this daft practice fits in with the organisation as a whole, your reaction may just be telling you that you're in the wrong place. I would definitely be in the wrong place if I were in your shoes, so you must not read anything negative towards you in my comment.

24. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:29PM UTC

    So someone did this to me at work. There were two people who made a habit of “joking around” quite frequently. I was the new hire. I literally collapsed in fear and broke out in tears having been mugged years ago. Tell them to stop and if they don’t bring it up with HR.

25. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:58PM UTC

    I am so sorry this happened to you. No one should have to go through this at work.

26. Jennifer KaufmanJuly 26,2022 at 2:13PM UTC

    I was mugged and beaten several years ago, so I share your experiences. People can be so cruel.

27. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:35PM UTC

    What does the age reference have to do with the in appropriateness of purposefully trying to scare people, just for kicks and giggles!

28. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:45PM UTC

    This is bullying.
    It looks benign, and to many it might even be funny, but it's bullying. It's actually a test to see if a person can "hang". In my last job, the legals worked in the next department over from us. They participated in many things that were borderline unethical, so you knew if a prank happened, it likely could be traced to them. Yet, they were a friendly bunch overall and it worked out better to just play along with them. With me they came up with a nickname, I finally had to go to each one and correct them in the moment, before they stopped. They played the Buddy the Elf gag with a cardboard cutout last holiday season to startle people. This was so mild compared to the roughhousing they did daily, basketball in the hallway, a skateboard crashing into the pillar next to my cubicle, random rubber balls appearing around our desks, beer in the lunch fridges, etc. These guys (no women in that team, except their admin help, who ALWAYS put up with all of this) were harmless on the surface, but if a person had any problem with anything they were doing and maybe said something, then guess what, that put a target on their back.

    Some organizations have these little high school type cliques and fraternities that have a lot more power than you might think, going in. I would say, don't participate, but don't openly condemn them. If HR sees it, which they inevitably will, they will take care of it. If the new hire bolts over this, hopefully they will say something on the way out.

29. Melissa NobileJuly 22,2022 at 12:52PM UTC

    That behavior is rude, obnoxious, and completely unacceptable. Tell them to knock it off or get their managers to tell them.

30. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:55PM UTC

    This is completely unprofessional. If they want to do these kinds of antics, go out for drinks after work or something. It's not appropriate for the office. Talk to HR.

31. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 12:57PM UTC

    I’m sorry but are they 10 years old?!? I work in an elementary school and nobody does stuff like this. Including the children. This is outrageous. And if it goes too far, it leaves the company liable to lawsuits. No you are not a fuddy duddy. It’s all fun and games. Until someone sues!!!!

32. Maggie StoneJuly 22,2022 at 1:04PM UTC

    Fun for whom? This is fun at someone else’s expense which is not cool. As others have mentioned, this could be triggering for folks who have been attacked or bullied. Or it could feel like bullying or harassment. It could also be dangerous for people with a chronic medical condition. Or can you imagine how dangerous this could be in an environment like a lab or assembly line? Not cool. Not ok.

33. Karen CurtaJuly 22,2022 at 1:05PM UTC

    It sounds like a good way to cause a workplace accident.

34. Changemaker993355July 22,2022 at 1:06PM UTC

    I have one that hides under my desk. If I have a heart attack, I hope workmen's comp covers it. They have too much time on their hands.

35. Ashley BasilioJuly 22,2022 at 1:07PM UTC

    Wow! This is a new one for me. Seems like the supervisor should put a stop to this kindergarten behavior.

36. Milissa JacobsJuly 22,2022 at 1:09PM UTC

    You're not out of place. This is extremely inappropriate in any workplace. What if one is holding a hot cup of coffee? What if someone has a physical condition that would be exacerbated by this? I don't mind casual, but this is just inappropriate.

37. Brenda CrawshawJuly 22,2022 at 1:34PM UTC

    You are clearly in the wrong place. This is a community of professionals and this is beneath consideration.

38. Brenda CrawshawJuly 22,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

    I would make sure I always walked around with a very large container of ice cold water with ice. The next time one of them jumped out I would "accidentally" spill that ice cold water right in their face. I am thinking a couple of those accidents will at least take you off their target list.

39. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 2:14PM UTC

    Is there a boss that you can raise the issue with and not fear retaliation? The one time I had to deal with something similar —immature behavior along those lines—the women in question were 20+ years older than me and one was the agency’s executive director. Those of who found the behavior downright embarrassing didn’t have much recourse. Thankfully in our case that was just one aspect of her problematic behavior and the board eventually let her go.

40. BethBJuly 22,2022 at 2:28PM UTC

    I’m sure you know the answer to your question of is this is done at other places. Of course it isn’t.

    Have you asked them to stop it? Don’t overthink this. Be factual and make a specific ask.

41. Bradford McCormickJuly 22,2022 at 2:28PM UTC

    What does these two employees' behavior *mean* to them? What do they *imagine* it does to others? Are they otherwise competent and productive employees or do they prefer schmoozing at the water cooler to producing anything of use to the company?

    "I am not sure I understand why they do this". I propose that is the key here, not what happens at any other company. Truth and good sense are not a popularity contest. Sn no rational response can be made to what one does not understand. This behavioe needs to be interpreted and undertood by all concerned and then go from what the evidence suggests is rational for the company, yes? Size up the situation before acting in regard to GKW (God Knows What). That's just one person's opinion for what it's not worth.

42. EMILY KIKUE FRANKJuly 22,2022 at 2:31PM UTC

    I used to have a coworker whose first reaction to being scared was to punch what scared her. Her family told her she wasn't allowed in haunted houses after she took out 3 people at one. Too bad she doesn't work with you!

43. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 2:51PM UTC

    Unprofessional and immature behaviour. The organisational culture must be poor.

44. Joan BeanJuly 22,2022 at 3:56PM UTC

    Seriously? You must be one of the people the op is talking about ?

45. Jon JauchJuly 22,2022 at 4:02PM UTC

    I had 2 co-workers do this, they hid and jumped out to scare another employee; they are in their mid 20's. It is where I am currently working now; I am on a team of cleaners that clean a school at night and our team has 5 employees on it and no other faculty is in the building; they no longer work there because they left for other jobs.

46. MichelleJuly 22,2022 at 4:05PM UTC

    I don't see what their age has to do with it.
    I never liked the idea that after our thirties, our personalites become cardboard, we can't find a date/flirt with our partner, and have to dress/live as though we're at somebody's funeral. I can relate to how you feel about your co-workers actions, however. If it really bothers you (causes anxiety or fear, makes you nervous, disrupts your workflow) then you should be honest about that and ask them to tone it down ("Hey guys, could you di that jump-scare thing a little less often? It makes me nervous and it's just really hard to focus. I'm totally glad you're having fun, it's just that it really stresses me out.") It IS a safety issue, as Milissa Jacobs mentioned. As I said, I wouldn't like that situation either. Best of luck! :D

47. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 2:50AM UTC

    I expect more from people who are older. You should know how to behave. Granted I expect the same from younger people but older ones know better.

48. JenniferJuly 23,2022 at 3:21AM UTC

    I took OP's reference to their age to mean that they are experienced professionals and should know better, as opposed to people who are brand new to a professional environment and might not understand office norms yet.

49. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 5:00PM UTC

    I agree I don’t know what age has to do with it, people of all ages act I appropriately.

    I do agree with you it is not appropriate for the work place and very childish , and personally I would not like it once is sos o but after that I feel like they need how to behave at work

    I have never actually seen this done before and I have worked in medical files, retail, and now corporate never saw this before I have seen childish behavior but not this

    good luck

50. Barb HansenJuly 22,2022 at 5:31PM UTC

    I have never seen this type of activity in a business setting and I've spent more than 25 years working in tech startups where pool tables, nerf balls and beer fridges in the kitchen are common place.

    Has anyone told them to stop? I'm not saying that it's your responsibility to tell them to stop but they have a manager right? Their manager is okay with this?

51. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 6:47PM UTC

    Might be a little much. Maybe they're bored, who knows. A lot of us are forced to be at work eight hours a day even if we can do our work in less time. Sometimes that can be a bit insanity producing. I know it is for me. Sometimes I scratch myself really hard to get over how annoying it is to be stuck in a place just to make a buck. Productivity for productivity sake even if it's not actually leading to anything. I don't know, someone should tell them to stop of it's a problem.

52. Charissa D CorderJuly 22,2022 at 7:12PM UTC

    A number of people find "jump scares" very upsetting and in the work environment, this is inappropriate. Case in point, if this were in a fast food restaurant, the shift leader would have taken action regardless of the worker's age. It can also be misinterpreted as bullying.

    Whilst this is not necessarily your role to address, it can be an opportunity for you to show some leadership. There are a number of methods: take them aside privately and emphasize the disruption rather than the "immaturity" of the action, do this in sight of others however. Or walk up to the latest victim and comfort them. You know the situation and what would be best. If your efforts don't work, take them to the manager AND HR.

    Enjoying oneself at work means a pleasant environment for all.

53. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 7:39PM UTC

    That’s not appropriate behavior especially in an office environment. A coworker got really mad at another coworker for throwing a nerf ball at him while he was on the phone with a client. Some of the items on his desk were knocked off. He told the nerf guy to stay away from him for the day. I would of been mad too. Sounds like these people have no boundaries and need to be told to stop.

54. Rosa GoesJuly 22,2022 at 8:40PM UTC

    That's childish behavior. If it happens to you, tell them its not appropriate in the office environment. At the same time let your boss know. Not much you can do after that, other than look for a new job due to office environment.

55. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 9:31PM UTC

    I would over react and let your boss know you will need to go home due to the trauma they caused you

56. AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 11:59PM UTC

    I hate this behavior so much. I actually took to Twitter to complain about the Ellen show when it was on. As you know, she regularly scared her guests. My comments were health and death related. Meaning, she most likely wouldn't know someone's health and if someone, say myself, had AFIB, she could cause a heart attack and possible death. If someone had an anxiety disorder, she could cause irreparable harm to their mental state as well. I distinctly remember when she scared Kris Jenner in the warehouse walk to the stage and she fell and hit her head. She was a walking lawsuit for her guests. I did notice that several show seasons after that, when the complaints started coming in, that that behavior stopped. In this case, I might just drop an anonymous note to HR about it and the possible effects it could have on someone that is their victim.

57. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 2:45AM UTC

    My office gets pretty personal and up in peoples business.
    Not a lot of boundaries. But I agree with you that behavior is inappropriate. They need to knock it off

58. Madam anon663July 23,2022 at 6:45AM UTC

    Good lord, what an immature pair of adults.

59. Crystal HowellJuly 23,2022 at 12:11PM UTC

    These days, people dealing with life, work, seems like

    stress comes out in many ways. Just laugh, they seem harmless.

60. Leader135412July 23,2022 at 1:30PM UTC

    You can only be an adult once, but a child twice.

61. Jason LeeJuly 23,2022 at 3:51PM UTC

    My coworkers used to jump scare me all the time, but this was when I was a teen working at RadioShack.

    Yeah in their 40's it seems a bit immature. But then again, if that's the worst part about working there, then I'd be pretty content with the job.

62. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 10:51PM UTC

    This is bullying and dominance. No one should be scared at work! If the company has a no bullying policy, this needs to be documented and taken to HR. I am martial arts trained. I worked where someone liked to sneak up and scare me. I warned him that I might not control my reflexes if I was surprised. He laughed. Then several days later, I was concentrating and he startled me. I just punched him and he ended up with a bloody nose. Long story short, because I had witnesses and had made notes, I was cleared for 'being violent'. But it was a mess.

63. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 11:46PM UTC

    I really don’t think it’s that deep.

64. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 12:52AM UTC

    But it IS that deep.

65. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 6:08PM UTC

    Nope

66. AnonymousJuly 27,2022 at 8:24AM UTC

    Oh good lord. If it bothers someone else, then its a big deal. That is gaslighting.

67. ReachingGoalsJuly 25,2022 at 1:05AM UTC

    Good for you! I know it was a mess, and I’m glad you had your bases covered. I would have done the same thing, although probably would have gone lower.

68. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 11:46PM UTC

    Look, it’s not fair. I’m sorry it scares you and every workplace should be trauma informed. But, I refuse to believe they’re immature. In my workplace, we promote a playful culture. Rigidity is part of our problem today!!

69. ReachingGoalsJuly 25,2022 at 12:51AM UTC

    Playful culture (and what the heck is that?????) is moving a stapler to the opposite side of a coworker’s desk, not intentionally trying to scare people. Someone with anxiety would NOT be finding this a “playful culture”.

70. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 6:07PM UTC

    That’s ok. As a therapist, Instead of teaching them to avoid scaring people, why are we not encouraging people to work on coping skills in the workplace?

71. EMILY KIKUE FRANKJuly 25,2022 at 6:36PM UTC

    As a mental health professional, I advocate for people who are on the spectrum or have PTSD or are HSP. The onus isn't on the people being scared; it's on the peple doing the scaring.

72. AnonymousAugust 7,2022 at 5:52PM UTC

    Where’s the balance? If it’s a playful joke, isn’t it on the person with PTSD to cope?

    -another mental health professional

73. AnonymousSeptember 28,2022 at 9:16PM UTC

    I am recovering from PTSD. I am playful in many regards. I have a light and fun sense of humor.

    But I at times cannot control my hypervigiliance. I am a survivor of terrorism, and domestic abuse.

    In regard to this scenario, would appreciate it if folks in my workplace would not purposely scare me; that would be cruel.

    Now, I agree, I am responsible for my own healing. And, I am a work in progress.

    All I can say is that if that happened in my workplace, I would not find it funny. I do play and joke and have fun at work. But that? Not cute.

    Again, I am just as fun as the next bloke. But purposely freaking the living daylights out of me and putting me in danger of a flashback, is not only cruel, but flagrantly inhumane, unempathetic, and thoughtless.

    The questions to ask oneself is: would I do it to a Veteran? And it the answer is a resounding yes, due to some sunk cost fallacy, and flipping the script onto the victim, and the onus onto them for their coping skills....maybe there is self reflection needed for the ones doing this.

    And, I grow exceedingly tired of victim blaming.

    People need to be accountable for their behavior. If one jumps out and scare the living hell out of someone, and the target goes to the hospital and becomes catatonic, yes, it is the perpetrators' fault. That person has perpetrated a wrong. And, no it is not funny.

    When manufacturing something light, fun and group bonding - I would think they would consider the audience - and use their empathic prowess, the what if. What if? What if the person one scares is not neurotypical. And when did the world assign one the task of testing their boundaries? For fun?

    Trauma victims already work very hard on our coping skils, who put these pranksters in charge of testing the veracity of their coping skills out of "fun"?

    Surely their are better ideas of fun that do not have the potential to hurt people. Actions that hurt people for fun? There is a word for that. Come on.

    Surely we all still have the ability to consider other people and not use their trauma as the butt of some joke then hijack the narrative and tell them they need to work on their coping skills. Seriously?

74. Liz MilneJuly 24,2022 at 1:04AM UTC

    It's quite immature - ask around, see if others mind it, and if they do, all of you form a pact to not react to them. Having people just glance and them and walk on will make them feel a bit silly and hopefully stop? And warn new hires too!

75. Letta RavenJuly 24,2022 at 8:06PM UTC

    You can be playful without scaring people half to death. There may be people afraid to speak up and say anything if these women get defensive. This is not appropriate behavior and crosses consent boundaries.

76. Liz MilneJuly 24,2022 at 10:47PM UTC

    Interesting response, to call someone a 'busybody' and 'a Karen' - especially when they clearly indicated that they just 'shake their head and walk away'...

    Also your 'knowledge' that everyone else involved is definitely having fun - I wonder how you know that???

77. Cheryl WilburgJuly 24,2022 at 10:58PM UTC

    I don't agree. It's childish and immature and not at all professional. Fun is fun, but this is grade school behavior and doesn't belong in the workplace.

78. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 1:04AM UTC

    You don’t know that the OP isn’t being effected. Name calling is never appropriate. They may be having fun, much like a bully does, but there is no indication that anyone else is enjoying this crap. In fact, this is classic hostile work environment behavior and the company is asking for a lawsuit.

    Busybody Karen is probably trying to do her job, at the same time worried about turning every corner, and probably hearing complaints from co-workers.

    What’s next, tossing water over the bathroom stall onto someone and the laughing because “its funny-a joke”?

    there is a time, place and appropriate action for most things. Why put maturely in quotes? Because that is a clear indication you really see this as immature behavior. OP isn’t the one being immature. Why are you so angry about this post? Could this be something you or a friend does?

79. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 12:51PM UTC

    I don't think you're in the wrong. A lot of people have different ideas of fun but in the work environment, it always better to err on the side of caution since you don't know how people act in certain situations. Over the years I've worked in many environments and I've seen close co-workers play pranks on each other but all parties are participants and are mutually ok with tricking each other. But I don't think it's ok to play such games with people you don't know well or are not willing participants. I would suggest talking to a manager or HR.

80. Changemaker993355July 25,2022 at 1:28PM UTC

    Well now...I believe this is a group for building up and supporting others. Even if you do not agree Kindness and consideration should Always apply. Very rude, immature and nasty response.

81. EMILY KIKUE FRANKJuly 25,2022 at 7:02PM UTC

    I'm thinking more about this and finding it increasingly cruel the more I do. The pranksters don't know anything about anyone else's history with trauma or mental health or neurodiversity. I'm thinking in particular about a few clients I have who are on the spectrum and a few others who have been assaulted, and this would be so beyond awful to them. I think you should report it to HR through that lens. Playfulness and fun are fine but this has the very real potential to do someone real harm.

82. AnonymousAugust 1,2022 at 12:25PM UTC

    This is oddball behavior, in any setting. I'm in Legal and can confidently tell you that this could be considered harassment.

83. AnonymousAugust 29,2022 at 4:59PM UTC

    This reminded me of an Ellen Degeneres routine where she pretended to hide from her boss and laughed uncontrollably about. She did it to show how absurd it would be to do this in the workplace. I think your two colleagues are absurd. That kind of humor (?) doesn’t belong in an office setting. Makes me wonder what kind of work they’re putting out.

84. Karen LSeptember 30,2022 at 6:53PM UTC

    A coworker at a previous job did this. End of day, building was almost empty, I went to get my coat hanging behind my office door. He was hiding behind the door and said BOO! I screamed and slammed the door back on him HARD! He's lucky the glass on the door didn't break. He apologized profusely and told me that I had scared him badly with my ferocious reaction. He didn't do it again. It was strange because he was usually such a considerate guy. When we talked about it later, he said that it was something that his family did and they thought it was fun. *shrug*

85. AnonymousOctober 3,2022 at 4:15PM UTC

    This is not appropriate. Have you approached your supervisor on this or is there HR at the company that you can go to?

86. Holly NunnallyOctober 3,2022 at 4:28PM UTC

    Admittedly, I have not read through all 84 comments, but the handful I did read through mostly support the way you feel.

    My dad worked almost 30 years for a company where pranks and jokes were part of the workday. They would cellophane wrap the toilet bowls so that if you did not look before going to the bathroom you would make a mess, they put petroleum jelly on telephone receivers and then page a coworker who would have to pick up the phone, put ice (and other, more questionable things) into unattended cups of coffee, etc.

    These were grown men and women participating.

    This was a different time (1980s) and not a professional office setting. Everyone involved talked about how it made the workday go by faster and kept the mood light.

    I personally HATE when I come in to work and find that someone has touched the things on my desk, so I know I would not like working in an environment where pranks were commonplace.

    I think if you don't like it you can either talk to the employees who do it and ask them to not do it to you, or you can go to your HR manager and complain. You probably are not alone in how you feel.

    Good luck!

87. AnonymousNovember 9,2022 at 11:46PM UTC

    I have PTSD and this would cause me Major distress. The kind that would make me miss work. It's not ok.

88. Jodie JohnsonNovember 27,2023 at 1:37PM UTC

    It's not fun or funny to scare people especially when all ya need for a good scare nowadays is the nightly news.

89. Max PayneMarch 11,2026 at 5:04PM UTC
    That does sound odd, especially around a new hire. A casual workplace is one thing, but repeatedly scaring people can easily come across as immature or uncomfortable rather than funny. Sometimes the best response is exactly what you’re doing — not encouraging it and keeping your distance, then taking a quick mental reset with something light like https://cold-bet-india.com/ instead of getting pulled into the nonsense.