I started a 'reply-all' email war at work over a fake memo and I don't know how to stop it.
By @codyyy · Work
As a prank, I sent out a ridiculous fake memo to my team about new 'mandatory office fun' initiatives, like a daily 5-minute team-building scream. The problem is, people aren't just believing it, they're replying-all with furious complaints and counter-suggestions that are even worse.
The full story
This has spiraled so far out of my control. I work in a pretty standard, slightly boring corporate office. To lighten the mood, I used a 'memo generator' I found online to create an official-looking document announcing some absolutely unhinged new wellness policies. I'm talking things like 'Mandatory Laughter Yoga' every morning, replacing all desk chairs with exercise balls by Friday, and a 'synergy scream' at 3pm daily. I sent it to my immediate team of about eight people, thinking they'd get the joke. Well, they did not. At least, half of them didn't. One of my coworkers, who takes everything extremely seriously, immediately replied-all to the group, CC'ing our boss and HR, with a multi-paragraph screed about how these policies are ableist and disruptive. This, in turn, prompted another coworker to reply-all to *that*, defending the policies and suggesting we also implement 'desk-side smoothie stations' and 'a mandatory nap pod rotation.' Now my inbox is a warzone. People are passionately debating the pros and cons of 'synergy screaming.' Someone just sent a PDF of alternative team-building exercises they found online. My boss has chimed in, not to shut it down, but to ask if the smoothie station idea is 'cost-effective.' A manager from another department got forwarded the email and is now asking if they can get in on the laughter yoga pilot program. It's been two hours. I'm getting dozens of emails. I'm too terrified to confess it was all a joke because now it feels like people are genuinely invested in these terrible ideas. I just wanted to make a few people laugh, and instead I think I've accidentally started a workplace revolution built on a foundation of pure idiocy.
How people voted
- Totally Cooked — 38% (17 votes)
- It’s Complicated — 33% (15 votes)
- You’re Fine — 29% (13 votes)
Readers are split: “Totally Cooked” leads with 38% — 45 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@noelsorta — You're cooked.
@remyee — Oh dear, I would be so stressed out! I hope you can find a way to clear the air soon. Thinking of you!
@liamee — do not admit anything you have created a beautiful monster
@nathanok — lmao
@reeseyk — What kind of company culture do you have that anyone, including your boss, thought this was a real possibility?
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