April Fool’s Day pranks no joke as employers fear litigation

THE April Fool’s Day joke seems to be no laughing matter, after all.

Eight out of 10 Irish bosses, who are banning the dodgy jokes this year, cite fear of litigation.

Some 54% of surveyed employers reported getting complaints from disgruntled workers in the past because of April Fool’s Day pranks.

Employment law firm Peninsula Ireland made the discovery during a telephone poll involving 661 employers this week.

Head of the Dublin-based firm Alan Price said yesterday: “Practical jokes this April 1 may seem funny at first but the chances are, as an employer, you won’t be laughing as victimised workers can make a litigation claim. Pranks by workers can lead to harassment claims by disgruntled employees so I am urging employers to be extra careful,” said Mr Price.

He said employers needed to discourage workers against practical jokes.

“What seems an innocent joke may be taken completely out of context or be seen as offensive by the employee concerned,” said Mr Price.

“The employee can then make a complaint and if the employer doesn’t take their complaint seriously they could end up in court.”

Mr Price said the employer needed to make it clear that pranks would not be tolerated and that disciplinary action would be taken against workers who caused offence. “It is not like in the past where practical jokes were common. Increased employee and culture changes in the workplace make it easier for disgruntled workers to make a claim.

“Pranks which cause offence could open the door to the expense of the employer, then who will be laughing when the case goes to court?” said Mr Price.

The tradition of All Fool’s Day began in France in the 16th century when the beginning of the new year was observed on April 1.

When Pope Gregory introduced a revised calendar, it appears some people could not accept such reform, or didn’t hear of the change for years.

Individuals who had accepted the dates of the new calendar played tricks on those who had not and referred to the victims of such pranks as “April fools,” attempting to make them believe something ridiculous was true.