The Office Playground Blog

Honoring The Office’s Michael Scott for Office Toy Best Practices

We are huge fans of NBC’s The Office. Michael Scott may not be the type of manager you’d want to work for, but there's one thing he gets, and that’s having fun at work. Next time you watch The Office, notice the office toys Michael has in his office, they include the following items:

Hoberman Mini Sphere

Wall Street Guru Ball

Newton's Cradle 7" Black

In this week’s episode entitled "Two Weeks", Michael is in rare form during his 2 week notice. He uses a Snapper Hand to totally annoy his direct reports. Please view the episode at the 1:44 mark, right as the episode begins, and watch Michael’s mastery of the Snapper Hand. Click here to view the episode.

Michael makes the technique look easy; we wonder how much practice he needed before that scene. He executes a perfect "paper snatch" from his salesman Jim. As the scene progresses, note the snapper hand hanging out of his suit pocket. Did we mention that all this is happening while he drinks a scotch and Splenda, which Michael says, "Tastes like Splenda, gets you drunk like scotch."

So, hats off to The Office and Michael Scott (actor Steve Carell) for the masterful Snapper Hand technique.

Go here to get your own Snapper Hand (you’re on your own for a scotch and Splenda).

Have a Stress Free Administrative Professionals' Day

Administrative Professionals' Week is April 19-25 with Administrative Professionals' Day on Wednesday, April 22. Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals' Week. It has become one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays. According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, there are more than 4 million secretaries and administrative assistants and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles in the United States. In the United States, it’s customary to give administrative professionals a gift of appreciation on this day such as flowers, lunch or a handwritten card. This year, consider a gift that keeps on giving, a fun item that also aids in stress relief at work. Studies done by the CDC’s National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, have found the percentage of Americans who are "extremely stressed at work" range between 29% and 40%. Stress in the workplace often leads to higher absenteeism, health problems, lower productivity and burnout. Playful or humorous items on a person’s desk or in the workplace add a little fun to a busy day which can reduce stress and make a cubicle or office a more relaxing environment. Stress relief products and office toys are available in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Office Playground offers something for every personality, including desktop plants for nurturers, zen gardens for those looking for inner peace, and fun office supplies for the organized workaholic. We hope you have a stress free Administrative Professionals' Day!

Office Exercise – Get Moving!

Exercise is a way to eliminate stress and there is a good chance that your job stresses you out. According to Wikipedia:

"Stress is a prevalent and costly problem in today's workplace. About one-third of workers report high levels of stress. One-quarter of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives. Three-quarters of employees believe the worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago. Evidence also suggests that stress is the major cause of turnover in organizations."

You have to be at work at least 40 hours a week, maybe a lot more. You have all sorts of other personal responsibilities. When are you supposed to get in your exercise? Do it at work! We have assembled some resources for you to use in building your own office exercise routine:

• About.com discusses way to exercise in your desk chair
• Mayo Clinic discusses ways to exercise without your chair
• eHow discusses 11 more office exercises

How can Office Playground help? We offer a variety of items that will aid in your office exercise regime:

• Office Sports – Get some of this stuff and start some healthy competition in your office.
• Therapy Balls – Strengthen your grip, rehab an injury, avoid carpel tunnel and have fun!
• Flying Toys – Get an old-fashioned shoot out going at work. Our items are safe, of course.

Let us know how you get your exercise in at work. What products can we carry to help you get in an office workout?

April Fools' Jokes in the Office

April Fools' Day is less than a month away and some of us at Office Playground wondered if pranks are appropriate for the workplace. Our research says yes—within reason. Practical jokes add fun and excitement to long, stressful days at work. When there's more work to do and less people to do it, stress relief is essential for keeping sanity. However, be aware of the potential consequences of playing jokes in a professional setting. The target of the prank, and your boss, should have a sense of humor; you wouldn't want to lose your job just for some laughs.

Pamela J. Holland, the COO of BRODY Professional Development, gave Entrepreneur these additional tips for pulling pranks at work:

• Make sure it doesn't embarrass someone or cause disruption in the workplace.
• Think through all possible consequences of the joke.
• Don't use April Fools' Day as an opportunity to "get back" at someone you don't like.
• What's OK to do at home with family or friends may not be appropriate for the workplace.
• If your boss is the subject of your prank, be extremely careful. You need to know this person extremely well, understand their sense of humor and never do anything that would diminish your boss's authority.

Several well-known organizations, including Entrepreneur, Forbes, Monster and MSNBC all have web pages or articles dedicated to office prank ideas and tips.

We found dozens of practical joke ideas out there. Here are some of the most extreme office pranks:

(image credit: baraskit.se)	(image credit: cubejinx)	(image credit: Dan)
(image credit: Daryl Fox)	(image credit: Unknown)	(image credit: Matt Reinbold)

To take practical jokes down a notch, try out some of our ideas. Create an infestation of Wind-Up Mice, Squishimal Spiders or Mutant Flies in your neighbor’s cubicle. A few Stretchy Snakes around the office could do the job as well. Some of us here at the Playground have put several Bozo Bop Bags in front of a co-worker’s cubicle after she left the office for the day; she came back to a wall of giant clowns guarding her desk. For a simple and traditional practical joke, you can’t go wrong with the Self Inflating Whoopee Cushion or the Remote Controlled Whoopee Cushion.

If you’re looking to reduce stress and have some laughs, office pranks can be a fun idea, but only if they are done right. With some careful planning, and perhaps a secret nod of approval from your boss, manager or co-worker you’ll be having fun in the office on April Fools’ Day. Just be sure to use common sense!

Pirate Invasion!

Economic woes have even descended upon my Deluxe Zen Garden. It was taken over by Pirate Bender – Swab. Swab discarded the Zen rakes and set to filling his treasure chest with necklaces, beads, and riches only a toy pirate with a vivid imagination would cherish. Suddenly, Swab’s paradise was invaded by two Skeleton Finger Pirates who drifted onto the beach in their raft. They threatened to steal the treasure chest, but without legs, they got bogged down in the sand. Not knowing whether Swab could win the battle alone, he considered summoning his big brother Pirate Bendy. At a whopping six inches tall, Pirate Bendy could have snatched up both Skeleton Finger Pirates with his hook and tossed them into the sea. Swab bravely fought the struggling Skeleton Finger Pirates and dispatched them both. Swab has yet to bury his foes. He still savors his victory. Now he has their raft in case his own escape becomes necessary.