Manager punished an employee for using a difficult coworker’s computer for a prank — days later, the same rule backfired on the company
Small workplace jokes can suddenly become complicated when they involve office rules and personal conflicts. An employee recalled one such story about a harmless prank he played at work that later led to an unexpected reaction from management. The Reddit user, who goes by u/justhereorthereagain, shared the experience on Friday, July 17, 2026. The joke was meant to bring some laughter among coworkers, but when a manager suspended him over it, it cost the company.
The employee decided to exact revenge on an annoying colleague by logging into his computer and changing the screensaver with a disrespectful statement about the coworker. After the prank was discovered, things escalated. The superior lectured him for looking at another's password, and the man was suspended for 3 days. Since this happened on a Wednesday, the worker considered it a long weekend and immediately left for a beach trip that was hours away. The unexpected issue came when the company later needed access to important work he had been handling. When managers asked for his password, he refused, saying, “I can’t do that. I was told not to share them.” He explained that he was only following the same instructions given during the suspension. In the bargain, it delayed several major projects.
Ultimately, it cost the company. It was only when they needed the employee that they realized he was not logged in and paid attention to his suspension. By the time they revoked it, he was already en route to the beach and later even switched off his phone to enjoy the break. He returned on Monday and carried on with his work. "Nothing happened. They made or didn’t make the deal. Maybe postponed it. Wasn’t my problem anymore," he remarked. In hindsight, the worker believed his prank was harmless compared to the atrocities the team faced because of the favored colleague. Having been in the industry for years, many superiors let the latter get away with his sly tactics that came at the expense of the team's targets and goals.
When the man complained, stating the prank was "defamation," and that he would sue, the manager checked the footage and learned who was behind it all. Without a second thought, he asked the employee to "get out" of the building, only to later pay the price. Workplace problems can sometimes arise when bosses and superiors are difficult. In another incident, a worker found a simple way to handle a manager who kept scheduling meetings during his lunch break. Despite requests to change the timing, the meetings continued. The reasoning given was, “We’re all flexible here.” Instead of arguing, the professional started eating during calls. Making complete use of his break, he would cook ramen and even microwave sandwiches, creating distractions during discussions. Eventually, without a word, the boss shifted the timings, and he could eat in peace.
For more interesting workplace stories, follow u/justhereorthereagain on his Reddit account.