On the bookshelf right beside my desk, I have a book entitled: Learning to Laugh at Work, The Power of Humor in the Workplace. I picked it up at a management training seminar, and have consulted it repeatedly over the years. It’s an “In Case of Emergency, Break Glass” title I consult in the midst of crises and work-related drama; the book reminds me that you should always keep your sense of humor.
Office humor is important, so important that not just books, but entire movies (Office Space), television shows (The Office) and cartoon series (Dilbert) have been devoted to the subject. I believe humor keeps us sane in the workplace, and I’m not alone.
In fact, a study of over 2,500 people revealed that 55% of workers would take less pay to have more fun at work. A pay cut for a more lighthearted work environment? The power of humor, indeed.
It seems almost incredulous to take a pay cut so you can chuckle a bit more, until you stop to think that laughter in the workplace has a lot of benefits: it lowers blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces sick days at work. Studies have shown that joking around doesn’t reduce productivity or distract others as one might think – on the contrary. A lighthearted work environment reduces burnout, lessens employee turnover, and boosts creative thinking. Furthermore, those who use humor in their management style are perceived as better leaders.
Of course, the trick is striking just the right tone – workplace humor should never be condescending, belittling or offensive to others. One might think that passive aggressive humor or sarcasm would be definite no-no’s, but when done right, you can’t help but laugh. Take, for example, this internet article entitled: 20+ Passive Aggressive Office Notes That Are So Good You Can’t Even Be Mad. As someone who speaks fluent sarcasm, I bow to the creativity and inspired efforts of these office “wise guys (and gals)” who took the initiative to add some levity to the workplace. Here are some of my favorites:
And this, a memorial for a dead cricket that the cleaning staff overlooked:
Jiminy Cricket!
Happy Monday,
~Mary
