What would you do if you found a gorilla in the office? No, that’s not a euphemism for the boss or Mr Grouch as he is better known. It’s a real hairy animal perched on the desk next to you eating a banana.

For some days, you have been reading strange messages on the noticeboard: “Gorillas invade office premises”, “Gorillas spotted in ladies’ loo”. You may have wondered what it was doing there; after all, the word gorilla has such a masculine air about it. Now the gorillas have completed their ablutions and moved into the main area.

You might have such an experience if your company is the sort that believes in having fun at work. A UK outfit, Fun at Work Company, is offering the gorillas (humans in hirsute habit) as one of its many jokes and gags to lighten the office atmosphere.

It is available in the UK at £1,100. Says the company: “Gorilla Hunt is one of our more whacky jokes. Involving up to three days of teasers and culminating in probably the most realistic gorillas you have ever seen moving in to build their home in your workplace. The most bizarre illegal squatters ever.”

You could also have a man in a pink rabbit costume running around the office or an absolute wow as a “trainee receptionist”. There are relatively formal occasions such as a Spanish-themed lunch or a cartoonist doing sketches of the staff. Anything to have some fun.

There is serious thought behind it, of course. Says Fun at Work Company: “It’s been accepted that there is a direct relationship between ‘fun at work’ and employee motivation, productivity, creativity, satisfaction and retention.

A programme of surprise activities at your workplace will bring staff to work with a smile, never knowing what might happen today. Humour is in the unexpected and it is known to relieve stress and improve health. There is little else that will make a person feel as good as a laugh.”

“The trouble with the corporate world is that it starts thinking of these things when the going is fine,” says Mumbai-based HR consultant Shashi Rao. So BPOs and IT companies employ fun officers when business is booming. When things take a downturn, these people are the first to face the axe.

“Fun at work is regarded as a way of making a company desirable to work for,” says Rao. “When attrition levels are high, you roll out the red carpet, gags, office parties, picnics and other excitement. When the job market is in a slump and people don’t jump ship too much, you don’t think all this is necessary.”

HR professionals opine, however, that such times are just the occasion when you need fun at work. It may seem frivolous to get in gorillas when you are handing out pink slips. But that is generally the time when morale is at its lowest. People could do with a laugh. “There is a balance you need to maintain,” adds Rao. Gorillas may be overstepping the line of good taste in bleak times. But there is no harm in organising a special lunch. Or make it a “Bring the kids to office day”.

At the Mumbai-headquartered Ceat Tyres they have “dance parties, sketching sessions (you can even caricature your boss), cricket matches, salsa classes, cooking workshops…” At Delhi-based HCL Infosystems they “as a family go on trips, picnics, movies, river rafting…”

It does wonders for productivity. Says Rao, “This is part of effective corporate culture. You can’t leave the jokes to the office wags.” The trouble is most traditional bosses think it’s monkey business.

THEMED PARTIES ON OFFER

The menu from Fun at Work Company

ARE YOU A RAT OR A PIG: It’s Chinese new year, an excuse for great oriental food, dragon dancers, acrobats, magic and fireworks.

WIMBLEDON WEEK: You may not be able to get to the tennis but celebrate the game with fun-themed activities at work. Swingball, short tennis and summer games with strawberries and cream in the afternoon.

FLOWER POWER AND ALL THAT: The music, the clothes — Austin Powers and flower power. A memory jerker for some and a history lesson for others.

OFFICE PARTY: A solid favourite with everybody is the killer office party at the office. Transform areas of your building into a range of fantastic settings for great food, awesome entertainment and great company.

TROPICAL PARADISE: A bit of the Caribbean at work even if you cannot get there on holiday. Hula-hula girls, garlands, fruit punch.

SECRETARIES’ DAY: The engine that drives your business, show how much you appreciate them with a special day and the big gestures.

KIDS AT WORK DAY: Bring your kids to work. Let them see where you spend your days and find out all about the world of work.

BOSSES’ DAY: Why not? Even the most senior managers like recognition in a fun way.

(Source: Adapted from Fun at Work Company)