Discover why laughing at work is good for you, your co-workers and your company.
Get our top tips to inject a bit of humour into the office.
Humour me… just smile before you read this joke. Just do it!
Reaching the end of a job interview, the HR officer asks a young engineer fresh out of University, “And what starting salary are you looking for?” The engineer replies, “About £100,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.” The interviewer inquires, “Well, what would you say to a package of 10 week’s leave, full medical and dental, final salary pension scheme, and a company car leased every two years, say, a red Tesla Model X?” The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow! Are you kidding?” The interviewer replies, “Yeah, but you started it.”
There – bet that feels good. Now we’re off to a great start we can find out why humour is good for us at work.
The benefits of laughing at work
Atmosphere and culture
Humour and laughter at work can relieve unwanted tension and lessen the effects of stress. When making a joke about a stressful situation, we develop a sense of dominance and control over it.
Job satisfaction
Research suggests that job satisfaction increases amongst workers who engage in conversational humour. And the best time for this is the morning.
Let’s face it, meetings are better when they’re fun.
Team building and trust
Laughter creates and strengthens relationships and social bonds. When relationships grow and develop it is very beneficial to the business. Employees who are happy and have strong relationships with their colleagues will stay with the company longer.
Co-workers who laugh together tend to feel more comfortable and enjoy a greater sense of team unity. We normally laugh with people we are close to and trust, such a family and friends. But sometimes at work, it can be a bit different. Even more so if we have been working from home and we see even less of our co-workers. Being open and making jokes shows people you can trust them and aren’t worried about being misunderstood or judged.
When individuals can think alike, the goals of their employer can be more easily achieved.
Productivity
Laughter makes us feel more comfortable. When we are more comfortable at work we think more openly and are empowered to take risks; a great way to find creative solutions. Productivity increases tend to follow creativity.
Leadership
Research shows that leaders who use humour at work have more chance of reaching their teams’ targets and are more likely to be rated better by their own bosses. Using humour as part of your leadership style can make you more likeable and also keep your respect and influence. Some self-deprecating humour can even add to professional respect.
An American study suggested that after having a strong work ethic, the second most desirable trait for leaders was a sense of humour.
Physical health
Laughter increases blood flow around the body and stimulates the heart and lungs. Plus, there’s the added benefit of feel-good endorphins being released relaxing employees and reducing stress.
Laughter activates the limbic system. This connects the left and right sides of the brain and gives us enhanced learning opportunities.
Beware
- Avoid condescending humour but some gentle teasing can be ok.
- Keep your humour positive.
- Make sure your humour is inclusive, kind and safe. Laugh with your colleagues, not at them. We can learn to make fun of situations without offending people.
10 ways to add laughter to your workplace
Look at your workplace wellbeing strategy and initiatives and make sure there is some fun in it.
- Start your meetings with a joke or a funny video.
- Email a joke of the day to your team.
- Host a fun day – wear something daft or try fancy dress.
- Play a board game with your team such as Pictionary.
- Make time for laughter.
- Begin a presentation with a joke.
- Use funny ice-breakers.
- Make a funny noticeboard.
- Hire a comedian or have an office trip to a comedy club.
- Be yourself. You are funny.