Workplace prank no kicks for co-worker

RIO RANCHO, NM (KRQE) - At just about any job you can expect some horseplay or even a good prank.

But at Intel in Rio Rancho, one prank led to the police getting involved.

It is a work complaint police say they do not hear often.

"This is definitely a strange one," Sgt. Nick Onken with Rio Rancho police said.

Onken said a man in his 40s filed a police report this week saying he had enough from his pranky co-workers at the plant in Rio Rancho.

"He stated that he is to the point with this tomfoolery that he doesn't feel safe any longer in his work environment," Onken said.

And the tomfoolery that pushed the man over the edge was a sign taped to his back that read "Kick me."

The man told police up to four co-workers at Intel kicked him after one of them put the sign on his back.

He also wrote in a statement to police some of his co-workers had been playing pranks on him for months.

Onken said if police can prove what happened, things could get serious.

"Although this is a prank, and although it is somewhat juvenile by some people's standards, it can fall within the realm of criminal law," he said.

Intel told KRQE News 13 Friday they could not comment on the kick-me controversy.

Even if it is a joke, kicking someone at work can be considered a battery, which is a petty misdemeanor.