UK offices are more like playgrounds than workplaces over the festive period according to a survey by recruitment website fish4jobs.

The study reveals that three out of four (74%) Brits play practical jokes in the workplace - infuriating their managers, when they should be rushing to meet Christmas deadlines.

As the festive season gets into full swing, nearly half (46%) of all UK office workers will be upping the ante on the number of practical jokes played, leaving little time for work. The research reveals that with the atmosphere buzzing and Christmas spirit in full flow, over two thirds (67%) of people admit to being more likely to spring unwelcome surprises on their colleagues.

Surprisingly, 16% of the practical jokes played in the run up to Christmas are by management, showing the bosses are just as guilty of getting carried away by the festive spirit as employees. The biggest pranksters to watch out for are the sales team (53%) closely followed by the not so quiet IT guy (8%) who’s most likely to hide the office scissors.

Workers vary in style when it comes to the types of practical jokes played, with half (50%) citing mischievous phone calls as their prank of choice.

fish4jobs CEO Joe Slavin says: "The odd little joke helps to unite the team especially as Christmas deadlines loom, but workers must remember that its not all about fun there is still a job to be done. "

Meanwhile, a Chartered Management Institute survey of 513 managers about lower productivity around Christmas found that although many agree that Christmas parties create a "better working atmosphere" and are a good way to "thank staff" (65%), they also "dull the appetite for work (39%) and ‘disrupt working patterns" (42%).