I think the catch here to know your friends and their senses of humor and to know your company's/team's culture. I've decorated offices for anniversaries and birthdays before in rather elaborate ways, but often this is done off the clock and with strict consideration of how difficult it would be for the victim to get right to work after taking a moment to laugh upon arrival. You don't have to take down an entire team's efficiency to have a little fun.

We've done way better than this. For my birthday, my wife and my co-workers saran wrapped my entire cubicle (down to individual pens), and filled it with balloons. I think of it as harmless social bonding, so long as the victim can take it. (and yes, I can take it and dish it out) :)

April Fools comes but once a year, relish it, but don't wear it out. In response to Govt. employees who don't get it. In general, the private sector survives by way of long hours, taking work home, and sacrifice of personal time. All this is judged on performance by a capitalist market place. Conversely, an constant 8-5 with an hour lunch, full benifits, including ample Fed/State holidays, and a labor union in tow make for a different work culture. I like the idea that State/Fed employees take their jobs very seriously and don't waste tax payer dollars with office jokes. Thank you!

I listened to this story with total amazement. In my workplace, these kinds of pranks could get you fired, and my fellow co-workers would be outraged by the waste of their valuable time. I was especially interested because I happen to work for a large government bureaucracy. Government workers are characterized as being time-wasters and slackers, but no one in our workplace would put up with this kind of nonsense. Do workers in private business have time for these kinds of juvenile antics?