There's no doubt that a good laugh brightens up the (work) day. But what exactly are the benefits of a work environment with a healthy dose of humor? Is it really okay to joke about anything? Are there any tricks for those who feel it's time for more laughter in the lunchroom? Let's take a closer look at humor in the workplace!
When we laugh, a delightful cocktail of happy hormones is released. Endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin are released, while the stress hormone cortisol decreases, making us happier and more relaxed. A good laugh can make a stressful situation suddenly feel less daunting, strengthen the bond with colleagues, and boost creativity and teamwork – not bad when it comes to work settings!
There has been considerable research into the effects of humor in the workplace. Among other things, stress levels reduce, which leads to a more relaxed and positive work environment. In turn, this increases the camaraderie among employees.
Research also shows that humor at work is closely tied to job satisfaction. A 2017 study conducted among university employees in the U.S. discovered that employees who experienced humor at work felt more positive emotions and greater job satisfaction. Furthermore, those with higher job satisfaction were more likely to bring humor into the workplace the following day. Thus, employees who used humor felt better and more satisfied at work. And as their satisfaction increased, so did their use of humor. A positive snowball effect, indeed!
Humor at Work: A Part of Workplace Happiness
Having fun at work also goes hand in hand with workplace happiness. Workplace happiness essentially means feeling happy, satisfied, and motivated in your work life. When it’s present, tasks become not just “must-dos” but also enjoyable and stimulating. What contributes to workplace happiness is, of course, highly individual and depends a little on one's personality, but hopefully, most people can agree that having fun and being able to laugh together at work contributes to workplace happiness.
As a manager, you play a crucial role in listening to how employees are feeling and what they need to experience workplace happiness. An increasingly common method to gain insight into employee satisfaction is using pulse surveys. In these surveys, a number of quick questions are automatically sent out to employees so you, as an employer, receive regular feedback and capture thoughts and opinions about the job and the work environment. Curious about how these measurements work? Here you can read more about Flex Applications' integration with Winningtemp's pulse surveys.
Serious Equals Competent?
Workplace happiness is one thing, but what about constant joking at work? To be perceived as competent, surely one needs to maintain a serious demeanor? Short answer: No! The belief that seriousness and competence go hand in hand is quite common; however, research (thankfully) suggests otherwise. In a study by Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania, 2,300 participants were asked to describe their perceptions of people who joked compared to those who were serious in various work situations.
The results showed that people who joked were not only considered more competent, but were also perceived to have more self-confidence and higher status than their serious counterparts. So, a few (or many) laughs at work won't make us seem incompetent.
Five Benefits of Having Fun at Work
There's so much good about enjoying and having fun at work that it's difficult to list everything, but some obvious benefits are:
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Reduced Absenteeism. Employees who have fun at work do not experience stress in the same way as those who do not. A workplace culture where fun is shared leads to happier, healthier employees and fewer sick leaves.
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Better Communication. Laughing together at work creates a relaxed work environment where people feel safe. When we feel safe, we tend to open up and share our thoughts and ideas.
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Disarming Effect. In a strained or stressful situation, a touch of humor can help us lower our guard and make it easier to discuss difficult matters.
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Stronger Employer Brand. A workplace where employees have fun and enjoy their work becomes a place with a great atmosphere and team spirit. The employees become good ambassadors who will speak positively about the company.
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Reduced Staff Turnover. An explanation is hardly needed here – those who enjoy their work are more likely to stay where they are.
Time for More Humor at Work? Keep This in Mind!
Incorporate Humor into Leadership
Managers who use humor in their leadership have a fantastic opportunity to showcase a more empathetic, personal side. It also equalizes the power balance and creates closer relationships with colleagues.
Integrate Humor into Daily Conversations
Instead of feeling pressured to deliver a constant stream of jokes, see humor as part of everyday small talk. After all, how many of us are stand-up comedians in daily life?
Celebrate More!
Spread joy at work by acknowledging colleagues or the company as a whole. Birthdays, themed days, holidays, achieved milestones, completed projects, praise from a client, performance of the month or year... there's much to celebrate!
Don't Forget Praise!
Feedback and praise foster an atmosphere of joy and well-being at work. When colleagues feel appreciated and seen, they also enjoy their work more. Perhaps not directly related to humor – but who doesn’t brighten up with some praise?
Start Small!
Why not start on a smaller scale? How one ends an email at work can be a hot topic: How formal or informal should I be? Will my colleague understand if I’m being ironic? Must I always end with the dull “Kind regards”? Of course, it depends on the context and the recipient, but in communication with colleagues, there can certainly be room for a bit of humor – embrace being more personal!
Here are some classic email closers for inspiration (Note: use at your own risk):
Confused but Positive,
/Anna
Forever Looping in Delight,
/Olle
With Eye Rolls,
/Sven
Mic Drop,
/Ahmed
If you require any further information, please hesitate to reach out,
/Lisa
…But Avoid this:
Humor can also be misused. If it is employed to exercise power, it's not funny, leaning more towards manipulation than humor. Never use humor to belittle someone else. Avoid joking at someone's expense unless you're sure the person is okay with it.
Boost Workplace Joy with Flex HRM
Had enough of boring and time-consuming HR administration? With tools that automate away unnecessary hassle, your company will have more productive and happier employees while giving HR and managers better opportunities to focus on what makes the company thrive. With Flex HRM, you get a complete web-based personnel system with everything the company needs – in a single seamless flow. Contact us if you want to know more!
