April Fools’ Day is the perfect time for some lighthearted fun in the workplace. It’s an opportunity to surprise your colleagues with clever pranks that can help build camaraderie and ease workplace tension. However, it’s essential that these jokes remain fun and harmless, keeping in mind the spirit of the occasion and ensuring they don’t cross any professional boundaries.
47 Fun April Fools’ Day Jokes for Employees in 2025
1. The Classic Fake Email Announcement
Send out an email from “HR” announcing that there’s a new office policy, like mandatory silent hours or a dress code of only neon colors. Wait for the confusion to spread before revealing the joke.
2. The Keyboard Reconfiguration
Switch the keys around on a colleague’s keyboard, or if you’re feeling sneaky, use an online tool to remap the keys, so they type random letters when they try to type something.
3. The Frozen Desktop
Take a screenshot of someone’s desktop, set it as their wallpaper, and then hide their desktop icons. Watch as they try to click on “non-responsive” icons!
4. The Out-of-Service Elevator
Put up a “Out of Order” sign on the office elevator when it’s perfectly fine. Observe the confusion and extra effort your colleagues make, taking the stairs.
5. The Sticky Note Overload
Cover a colleague’s workspace with sticky notes – every single item, from the monitor to the keyboard, to the coffee mug. It will be a surprise when they return to find everything covered in neon yellow!
6. The Phantom Meeting
Set up a fake calendar invitation for an urgent meeting. Make it sound critical, then watch the scramble as everyone tries to attend. Once everyone shows up, let them know it’s a prank.
7. The Fake IT Trouble
Have an “IT technician” come by to “fix” a colleague’s computer for non-existent problems like “slow boot time” or “unresponsive mouse,” only for the technician to “solve” it in a few seconds.
8. The Website Redirect
If you have access to a colleague’s computer, change their default homepage to a silly website, like one with a fake “system update” message or a site with a blinking cursor and absurd information.
9. The Coffee Pot Swap
Replace the regular coffee in the break room with decaf or a bizarre flavored coffee, and then watch as your colleagues take that first sip of surprise.
10. The Fake Mouse Laser Issue
Place a tiny piece of opaque tape over the laser on a colleague’s mouse. Watch them struggle as the mouse “fails” to work properly, all while they try to fix what’s not broken.
11. The Auto-correct Prank
Set up your colleague’s phone or computer to auto-correct common words to silly phrases. For example, “meeting” might turn into “mango” every time they try to type it.
12. The Missing Chair
Hide a colleague’s office chair, and replace it with a stool or a completely different type of chair. They’ll be surprised when they go to sit down and find their usual chair is gone.
13. The Desktop Chaos
Change the desktop background on a colleague’s computer to an image of a completely cluttered and messy workspace. They will be momentarily disoriented, wondering if they’ve left their desk in chaos.
14. The “New” Office Pet
Bring in a stuffed animal and place it on your coworker’s desk, claiming that it’s the office pet. Create an elaborate backstory about the pet’s “personality” and “duties.”
15. The Mouse Disconnect
Unplug a colleague’s mouse or keyboard and hide the cables out of sight. Watch them troubleshoot what they believe is a bigger issue when it’s just a simple disconnect.
16. The Inflated Meeting
Send out an invitation to a meeting that’s supposed to be critical, only to have it start with an announcement that there’s no meeting at all—just a “surprise, it’s April Fools’!”
17. The Fake Meeting Agenda
Create a fake, elaborate meeting agenda with absurd items like “discussing the color of the printer ink” or “debating the office chair preferences.” Let people think they’re going into a meeting with a very detailed agenda.
18. The ‘Taped’ Phone Receiver
Place clear tape over the receiver of a colleague’s phone. When they pick it up, they’ll wonder why they can’t hear anything.
19. The Auto-Reply Prank
Set up an auto-reply on a colleague’s email or chat, but make it funny. For example, “I’m currently in a meeting discussing the color of the office walls. Please try again later.”
20. The Invisible Ink
Write a note or leave instructions for your coworker in invisible ink. When they attempt to read it, they’ll be baffled, trying to figure out how to view the hidden message.
21. The Cookie Crumble
Leave a cookie on a coworker’s desk, but replace the center with something unexpected like toothpaste or mashed potatoes, while keeping the cookie’s shape intact.
22. The Temporary Name Tag
Create a name tag for a colleague with a ridiculous or funny name. Attach it to their desk or have them wear it for a day.
23. The Fake “Update” Notification
Set up a fake software update notification on a colleague’s computer, making it seem like their system is going to restart. Watch them worry about losing work, only to realize it’s a prank.
24. The Fake Wi-Fi Password
Share a Wi-Fi password with a colleague that’s clearly wrong. Watch them try to troubleshoot or call IT for help.
25. The Upside-Down Screen
Change the screen orientation of a colleague’s computer to upside down. Watch as they try to figure out why everything looks “off.”
26. The Confetti Cannon
Place a confetti cannon in a colleague’s office or cubicle and set it to go off at a certain time, making it a surprise when it bursts.
27. The Backwards Clock
Change the time on the office clock by several hours. Watch people get confused when they think they’re running late or early for a meeting.
28. The “Lunch Meeting” Surprise
Invite colleagues to a “lunch meeting” but provide something completely unexpected—such as a boxed lunch filled with random office supplies instead of food.
29. The Changing Language Setting
Change the default language on your colleague’s computer to a language they don’t understand. Watch as they attempt to navigate through the system settings.
30. The Surprising Voice Assistant
Program your coworker’s phone or computer voice assistant to say something absurd, like “I’m going to take a nap now,” at random moments throughout the day.
31. The Mysterious Noises
Set up a series of sound effects—like random beeping, an air horn, or something weird—and play them intermittently from a hidden location to confuse your colleagues.
32. The Water Cup Trick
Fill a colleague’s cup with water, place a piece of plastic wrap tightly over the top, and flip it upside down on their desk. The water stays in place, and they’ll be confused when they try to lift it.
33. The Fake Business Trip
Send a colleague an email telling them that they have been scheduled for an urgent, last-minute business trip. Provide fake details for a meeting in a location no one would ever expect.
34. The Copy Machine Chaos
Place a small piece of paper over the copy machine’s sensor or glass plate. Watch as the machine fails to work properly and your coworkers try to figure out what’s wrong.
35. The False Report
Send out a memo or report that’s filled with absurd or ridiculous “facts” about office performance or trends, like “72% of employees prefer the color blue for all meetings.”
36. The Mystery Pile
Place a pile of mysterious items (silly objects or just random office supplies) on a colleague’s desk and leave a cryptic note saying, “You’re going to need these.”
37. The Phone Call Forwarding
Forward all incoming calls on your coworker’s desk phone to another line (preferably a funny voicemail). Watch as they try to answer calls that keep going somewhere else.
38. The Shifting Desk
Move all of a colleague’s office items to another location while they’re out of the room, leaving them with a completely empty desk when they return.
39. The Missing Mouse Pad
Steal a coworker’s mouse pad and replace it with something absurd, like a slice of pizza or a completely random object. Watch their confusion when they try to use their mouse.
40. The Unplugged Phone
Unplug a colleague’s desk phone and watch them struggle to figure out why no one can reach them.
41. The Airhorn Under Chair
Attach an airhorn underneath a colleague’s chair. When they sit down, it will go off, surprising them in a loud, attention-grabbing way.
42. The Fake Office Announcement
Create a fake announcement from the boss or HR, such as “New office rule: No talking allowed after 3:00 PM.” Watch everyone try to figure out what’s happening.
43. The Toilet Paper Roll Switch
Switch out a colleague’s toilet paper roll for a non-functional version, such as a roll that’s glued together. Watch as they try to unravel it.
44. The Non-Stop Keyboard Typing Sound
Play a continuous typing noise through your computer speakers, and leave it going in the background. Watch people think someone is typing incessantly.
45. The Photocopied Desk Items
Photocopy every item on a colleague’s desk and leave the copies around their workspace. Watch them wonder why all their things are suddenly duplicated.
46. The Rearrange the Office Furniture
While your colleague is away, rearrange their office furniture. Move the desk, chairs, and even small accessories to different spots in the room for an unexpected surprise.
47. The Silly “Employee of the Month” Award
Create a fake “Employee of the Month” certificate with absurd details, like “For impeccable ability to dodge all work.” Present it to a colleague with fanfare for a good laugh.
Conclusion
April Fools’ Day is a chance to let loose and add some humor to the workplace, as long as the pranks are harmless and fun. The key is to create moments that foster laughter and a sense of camaraderie without crossing any boundaries. With these 47 creative jokes, you’re sure to bring some unexpected joy to your workplace in 2025! Just remember to keep things lighthearted, and enjoy the playful spirit of the day.
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