The Psychology of Workplace Pranks: Boosting Work Culture Through Humor

February 23, 2025

The workplace is typically seen as a serious matter - goals to hit, checklists to complete and professionalism to uphold. But at Blue Compass, our digital marketing agency, we’ve embraced a lighter side of work life: office pranks. 

We believe a little fun can go a long way in enhancing a company's culture. Here’s how a tradition of workplace pranks has shaped our team - and why allowing fun might just be the secret ingredient your workplace needs.

The Origin of Prank Scares in Our Office 

It all began years ago with Cary, our CFO. For reasons I still can’t quite pin down, he started hiding around corners and jumping out to startle unsuspecting team members. The reactions brought laughter to the office.

Soon, it wasn’t just Cary.

Other team members started joining in, turning the office into a battleground of jump-scares. To this day, you might find someone crouched in the café or hiding in a hallway, waiting for their next scare. 

Of course, not every prank lands perfectly.

Once a team member heard footsteps she assumed belonged to Cary in the hallway. Eager to turn the tables, she leapt out with a loud yell only to discover it wasn’t Cary but Dalton, the building's mild-mannered maintenance guy who’s never been a fan of the scare tradition. He was less than amused.

It was a rare miss in an otherwise well-received office ritual, reminding us that pranks do require mutual understanding.  

Are Pranks in the Office Appropriate? 

Playful, considerate pranks can add a tremendous dose of fun to the workplace, keeping the atmosphere lively and engaging - but they're not right for every workplace. 

We have a very young, social, energetic culture - qualities that make pranks a natural fit. We do have a small handful of people in our office who are off-limits when it comes to scares. Yes, they very much enjoy the office scares but don't want to be scared themselves. We respect everyone's right to be scared - or not!

We are very clear about our fun and crazy culture when we're interviewing and hiring. In fact, occasionally we'll purposely unleash a prank during an interview. Some may consider this unprofessional but it's a great way to gauge the interviewee's acceptance of our culture. 

It's perfectly fine if office fun and pranks aren’t your thing. If so, our culture may not be right for you.

Why Fun in the Workplace Can Enhance Productivity

Fun, in whatever form it takes, can break up monotony, spark creativity, and build camaraderie. Some might call it unprofessional and push to squash it, but we’ve taken the opposite approach. I’ve always encouraged it because it puts smiles on faces and keeps an interesting atmosphere.

Do you have to perform a large-scale, crazy pranks to have a great workplace? Of course not. Little moments of joy can be just as powerful. In fact, regular small doses of fun lead to a strong company culture. 

In a study published in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies called "The Fundamental Role of Workplace Fun in Applicant Attraction" explored how workplace fun influences professionals. The participants were asked to evaluate job ads for management roles.

The findings showed that perceived workplace fun had a significant positive impact on applicants’ attraction to the job, their sense of fitting into the organization, and their intention to pursue the opportunity. In fact, the study found that workplace fun had a stronger influence on perceived person-organization fit than even compensation or advancement opportunities. 

You can't have a truly successful team without strong relationships. You can't have strong relationships without bonding. And one of the best ways to bond is to have fun together.  

“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard,” Colin Powell once said. 

The Best Leaders Encourage a Fun Workplace

It’s been estimated that you will spend roughly one-third of your life at work. Life is too short not to enjoy the workplace. It’s paramount for employers not only to accept a fun work environment but to create a fun work environment. Choose to be purposeful about adding joy to your organization. 

The best leaders don’t just tolerate fun—they create it. 

How healthy is your office culture? It’s hard to judge, but here’s a tip: listen. Hear any laughter? Laughter is one of the most telling metrics of a healthy office. 

The Psychology of How Fun Boosts Productivity

Humor and play trigger positive emotions, reduce stress, and strengthen bonds. When handled with care—respecting boundaries and reading the room—pranks can humanize a workplace. At Blue Compass, they’ve helped us maintain a culture where people look forward to showing up, not just to work, but to connect.

If scares aren’t your thing, that’s fine—find what works for you. But the bottom line is this: being intentional about joy in the office can turn ordinary days into something worth smiling about.

Want to learn more about crafting a joyful workplace? Check out my latest book: RETAIN