Today's post is from Kristin Taylor who works in corporate communications for Citrix Systems and is part of a global virtual team.
When I used to report into an office, I really enjoyed (and now miss) a good office prank, which is what prompted me to go virtual with April Fool's Jokes. Disclaimer: Some of these may well cross into the 'evil' category rather than 'funny' but here goes...make sure you know your team members well so as to avoid any calls from your HR department (especially if you are the manager).
When I used to report into an office, I really enjoyed (and now miss) a good office prank, which is what prompted me to go virtual with April Fool's Jokes. Disclaimer: Some of these may well cross into the 'evil' category rather than 'funny' but here goes...make sure you know your team members well so as to avoid any calls from your HR department (especially if you are the manager). Fortunately, our team members all have great senses of humor...and perhaps slightly twisted.
- Tell your workshifting team that you will only interact via avatars.
- Tell a workshifter that everyone heard their toilet performance on the conference call and do they know how to use a mute button? See if they fess up.
- Use www.prankdialer.com to anonymously call your teammates. Lots of funny ones to choose from, including a call from Barak Obama.
- Using official company stationary, send a pizza delivery menu that includes a fake note from the CEO telling them a pizza lunch is part of the company's new rewards and recognition program for remote employees, but no ordering extra toppings.
- Tell your workshifting team that they have to learn and pass a quiz on IM shorthand and use it from now on, as it will make them more productive: IMHO, ROFL, NSFW, L8R. Follow-up by sending them a quiz and then send out everyone's scores.
- Draft up and distribute a "company policy" that informs all workshifting employees that in order to comply with workforce continuity policies, they now have to make their whereabouts known during work hours by using foursquare.
- Have your spouse or a friend call a workshifter (when you know they are preoccupied) and leave a message saying Mr. Lyon (or Mr. Behr) called and would appreciate a call back. Then leave the phone number for the local zoo for this person to call back. They'll feel like a real monkey's uncle.
- Schedule a teleconference and then call a teammate immediately afterwards asking if they knew that their webcam was activated. Act vague and embarrassed and see what they say.
- Have the IT director send a message that they have enabled 'touchscreen' on their laptops. Schedule a video conference and tell everyone they must touch the screen to get started. Everyone else will be able to see who falls for it.
- Introduce an exercise scheme, outlining a new law that companies are responsible for remote workers' fitness. Include a branded pedometer and tell them that all workshifters need to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, and it will be monitored.
What have you done this April Fool's Day, anything? Have any fun workshifting pranks of your own?
Photo Credit: Bukowsky18
