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Original poster

Workplace pranks

19 replies

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 18:50

Background.I started in my new job Nov last year however have worked at this company previously and in a different dept.

Since I started there's two guys who constantly play tricks in the office. I enjoy office banter but these guys are now doing stuff to me multiple times a day it is starting to really annoy me. I made a comment about it annoying me previously (first mistake) and one of the guys said "oh we're just getting started". Today they took my banana and placed it on someone else's desk, they took my security card and put it in someone else's PPE, I went for a meeting for an hour and when I came back they had removed the battery of my mouse and taken the usb from my laptop and placed it on top of my monitor.

If I raise it as an issue I feel like they will up the ante. I don't want to be seen as a stick in the mud but when shit happens multiple times I day I kind of feel like the target of workplace bullying.

I don't want to go to my manager just yet (but I would if it ramps up). I was thinking of saying to them I don't find it funny and to cut it out as one chance for them to stop but how do I say it firmly, politely but not be labelled as a fuddy duddy.

Help!

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 20/02/2024 18:53

This is bullying. They know you don't like it and aren't reciprocating it. Are they doing it to anyone else? It feels targeted. I'd report them to your manager/ HR as you have asked them to stop and they haven't. There is no place for this at work, I'd be livid too.

Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 18:54

Yes they do sometimes do it to other people. But not any of the other women in my team, just me. And I seem to be the target for it multiply times a day rather than an odd one off like the others. It's so bloody childish...

OP posts:
Precipice · 20/02/2024 18:57

Do go to your manager and/or HR. You've asked them to stop (indirectly, by saying it's annoying). They're interfering with your ability to work (messing with your equipment).

sharptoothlemonshark · 20/02/2024 18:57

You need to speak to them directly and say stop it I dont like it. If they carry on, tell them you will report them if one more thing happens, then go ahead and report them if it does.

Meanwhile sit down tonight and write out a list of everything that has happened, and when, so you are ready if you need to be

Barleysugar86 · 20/02/2024 18:59

I would still make an official report. This is ridiculous behaviour for grown ups at work. It is not a prank if the person they are doing it to feels upset and doesn't find it funny. If they get worse following a report that is for your manager/ HR to address. You have asked them to stop end of story. They are making it hard for you to do your work. My manager would absolutely not stand for this and would address it and the 'pranksters' would be on a PIP if they didn't cut it out.

Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 18:59

So do you think I just shouldn't say anything directly as like an official "first chance" type thing before going to our manager?
They move me from my desk too whilst I'm on my chair and they did do that on front of our manager today. Also, because they have used other colleagues desks, PPE I feel like that's technically a good thing because I have 'witnesses' to the behaviour.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 19:00

Barleysugar86 · 20/02/2024 18:59

I would still make an official report. This is ridiculous behaviour for grown ups at work. It is not a prank if the person they are doing it to feels upset and doesn't find it funny. If they get worse following a report that is for your manager/ HR to address. You have asked them to stop end of story. They are making it hard for you to do your work. My manager would absolutely not stand for this and would address it and the 'pranksters' would be on a PIP if they didn't cut it out.

Yes my husband said just to go to my manager as it's not my issue to sort out. It's tricky though because she's newer into her role than I am and I don't want to look like I'm an annoyance to the team.

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 20/02/2024 19:00

I think it is up to you how you wish to handle it. But it won't have escaped their notice they are laughing at you and not with you. They know you don't like it and have continued. This is bullying.

Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 19:01

Yes I agree it is bullying. This kind of thing seems to follow me around. I must look like an easy target. It really gets to me :(

OP posts:
Runnerinthenight · 20/02/2024 19:03

You need to get your manager to deal with their behaviour. That's ridiculous, childish and deeply unprofessional! What bloody age are they? Twats!

Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 19:06

One guy is late 30's early 40's I think. The other one is late 20's. It is pathetic.

They told me stories of how they made "cunt" stickers to our previous manager and stuck them all over his office, inside his mouse etc and messed with his rubix cubes and stuff. Since he's changed role (I wonder why) I now seem to be the new target. Old manager never took them up on it

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 20/02/2024 19:11

A good manager will address this regardless of how long they have been there. I wouldn't let this put you off. Just be as factual as you can and try to be emotionless about it if you want to feel empowered after. Eg. 'I was hoping to talk to you about some problems I'm having with X and Y's behaviour. This is what they have done (List) and this is how it's affecting my work. I have told them I didn't like it and their response was they were just getting started. I would appreciate your help in stopping their behaviour or advice if I should raise this with HR because its starting to feel targeted towards me and nasty.'

LakeTiticaca · 20/02/2024 19:11

This sounds very draining. It's only funny if everyone thinks it's funny.
It's definitely bullying . Keep a log of all their juvenile behaviour and report to the manager. If you are in a union speak to the rep

AllEars112232 · 20/02/2024 19:44

Barleysugar86 · 20/02/2024 19:11

A good manager will address this regardless of how long they have been there. I wouldn't let this put you off. Just be as factual as you can and try to be emotionless about it if you want to feel empowered after. Eg. 'I was hoping to talk to you about some problems I'm having with X and Y's behaviour. This is what they have done (List) and this is how it's affecting my work. I have told them I didn't like it and their response was they were just getting started. I would appreciate your help in stopping their behaviour or advice if I should raise this with HR because its starting to feel targeted towards me and nasty.'

These are good suggestions @Hungrycaterpillarsmummy .
Part don't let your manager fob you off, this is serious and needs dealing with.
Are you in a union? If not, I'd join one today! (Even if your organisation does not have a recognised union you can still join one and get their support).

JovialNickname · 20/02/2024 19:45

God that sounds so tiresome quite apart from anything else.

Woodyandbuzz1 · 20/02/2024 19:58

An ex of mine used to do this. He'd send me tons of videos of him jumping out and scaring his colleagues. They all looked pissed off. He's was late 30's. Urghhh massive turn off! Anyway..

I would be honest with them next time they pull a prank on you and tell them it needs to stop immediately, you don't find it funny. Send them an email so you have written proof that you've asked them to stop. Mention if I happens again you will escalate it.

Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 20:08

My manager seems totally on my wavelength and I think she would handle it well.
I think I'll mention to her that I'm getting annoyed with it but I will ask them to stop myself.
If I don't get anywhere with that then I will go back to her for her to deal with.

it's just all so unnecessary. One of these guys suffers from bad periods of mental health and I wonder how he would react if the same was being done back to him.

OP posts:
BaroqueInterlude · 20/02/2024 20:13

Taking the battery out of a mouse? Moving a banana to a different desk? Laugh, I really didn't.🙄

Original poster
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 20/02/2024 20:25

Yeh...it's just annoying!

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