Harmless humorous antics in the workplace are now encouraged by many corporations, including General Electric, IBM, and AT&T. Companies of all sizes, services, and products are adhering to a philosophy that advocates humor programs to improve morale, relieve stress, build camaraderie, and positively impact the bottom line. In an attempt to turn the office into a quarterly comedy club, businesses are hiring professional humor consultants who encourage employees to lighten up and get serious about laughing.
Modern medical experts agree with the ancient admonition that "laughter is the best medicine." A hearty belly laugh can lower blood pressure, and laughter exercises the lungs, pumps more oxygen into the bloodstream, and activates endorphins that make people feel good. We were born with the ability to communicate with our emotions and that includes laughing and smiling. Yet it's sobering to know that young children laugh or smile more than 400 times a day while adults are lucky to muster up a few daily chuckles. Kids shouldn't be having all the fun.
It's important to know that humor has a proper time and place. You don't want to become known as the joke of the company because of tasteless and silly behavior. Before you start wearing a clown nose to work every day, there are some guidelines to remember.
- Know your audience
Knowing your audience is the first and most important aspect of using humor at work. First, don't use humor to insult or offend anyone. Among friends, it may be common to gang up on one friend, joking about an embarrassing memory or funny comment, but that is certainly not appropriate among co-workers. Also, don't even think about jokes or anecdotes that include sexuality, religion, politics, ethnic background, or someone's personal appearance. It's a good idea to avoid gross stuff as well, as the office is not the place for stories that include bodily functions. During a briefing of a company's new health plan, the male facilitator joked that mammograms would now be conducted at Hooters. The men laughed. The women threatened to sue.
- Be sure to laugh at yourself
People enjoy self-deprecating humor that's not too pathetic. A middle-aged speaker can win her audience by joking about her age. For example, "I turned 50 years old and decided it was finally time to travel and see the world. Unfortunately, many of the historical sites are younger than I am" (pause for smiles). Or, "I try to wear those tailored business suits, but every time I suck in my gut, my ankles swell." As a warning, don't go overboard on the self-deprecation or they'll start to agree that, yes, you are a loser.
- Include company anecdotes
It's always a good idea to joke about the things employees can relate to, including stories about products, competitors, difficult customers, and production goals. Remember, a joke about a co-worker from a different department is not acceptable. However, there are a few occasions that you can incorporate personal stories about an employee. While you would never comment on a worker's weight gain, you could compliment someone who has lost a significant amount. "Look at Roger. He's our shinning positive example of corporate downsizing!"
- Use humor to defuse tension
The workplace can be a very stressful environment! Humor is a great way to defuse a high-tension situation and reduce potential personnel problems. Companies often go through times of high stress, especially if quotas are increased and sales are down. You could start a presentation with a mock exaggeration. "The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget constraints." However, avoid the temptation to criticize the boss during times of tension. One employee actually told this joke during a heated meeting: "James is a seagull manager. He flies in, make a lot of noise, dumps crap everywhere, and then leaves." The employee who made the joke was encouraged to take his humor to a different job.
- Remember...there is still work to do
While everyone deserves his or her daily dose of humor, it's important to remember that you're paid to do a job, not to be the class clown. A few daily laughs will make the workload better for everyone, but don't let jokes distract you from your work. Also, avoid emailing jokes on company time and on company equipment...that's not in your job description. For example, an employee sent out a blanket email that asked, "Can I trade my job for what's behind Door #2?" Unfortunately, he inadvertently included his boss in the email distribution. The boss returned the following email. "Yes, you can. Door #2 is the unemployment line. Good luck."
You can find more information about humor in the workplace by researching online for related books and articles. Preview national speakers bureaus and speakers associations to find someone suitable for your organization or business. Contact recommended facilitators and inquire about their costs and programs. Then schedule a regular humor session for your office and enjoy the rewards of working with happy people. That's so much better than working with crabby, stressed-out employees who wouldn't know a punch line if it hit them on the funny bone.
About the Author
Elaine Ambrose is an award-winning comedic author and speaker who motivates business audiences to use humor to survive and thrive in the workplace. Her thirty-year business resume includes being a manager at a Fortune 100 corporation, bank officer, television news reporter, magazine editor, and most recently, co-founder of Mill Park Publishing. Currently, she is co-writing a comedic book for middle-aged women titled Menopause Sucks. Please contact Elaine at 208-630-4217 or www.millparkpublishing.com.
