You're Right to Feel Abandoned If...

The most memorable April 1 office hoaxes

(NEWSER) - A good April Fools' prank can really liven up the office, and 32% of us have been on the giving or receiving end. CNN draws 10 of the best workplace gags from an annual CareerBuilder survey.

1. Put pants and shoes in a men’s room stall to make it look as if there’s someone in there . . . for hours
2. Stock the soda vending machine with beer

It helps them solve creative problems, study suggests

(NEWSER) - Hiring a new manager? Give Jerry Seinfeld a call. Sarcasm prompts employees to speed through tasks that require creative problem-solving, Israeli research suggests. Simple fury at your staff can also get them working quickly, but it’s only effective for more straightforward tasks. “The incongruent information inherent in sarcasm appears to stimulate complex thinking and to attenuate the otherwise negative effects of anger,” says a researcher, adding that the sarcastic expression of anger should include "some irony and humor." In one study, researchers played subjects one of three messages supposedly left on a customer service voicemail. More»

From the smug first-class traveler to loud babies

(NEWSER) - There are lots of reasons to dislike getting on an airplane; herewith, Guyism points out the most annoying types of people you’ll run into as you fly the friendly skies:

• The first-class flier: Sorry, Jeff Wysaski writes to “this smug assembly of businessmen, trust fund kids and trophy wives … a little extra legroom and a warm chocolate chip cookie does not make you more important than me.”

(NEWSER) - Airlines offer more than you know—and would rather you didn't know about it. The Chicago Tribune runs down a list of ways to benefit from airline secrets:

• Complain early and often: Whatever the problem, "airlines tend to buy grouchy passengers off with frequent-flier miles."
• Travel agents work magic: Want a first-class seat for coach fare, or a code on your ticket that automatically upgrades your seat? Call an agency.

Findings confirm it's good to be nerdy

(NEWSER) - How desirable is your daily grind? A new study aims to answer that question with a list ranking the best and worst jobs according to five factors: “environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands, and stress,” the Wall Street Journal reports. In the end, the CareerCast list suggests, nerds rule. Best jobs:

1. Mathematician
2. Actuary
3. Statistician
4. Biologist
5. Software engineer