Humor in the Workplace

Work… the daily grind…it’s a place where productivity is measurable and the bottom line serves as a necessary evil. Some say work can’t be fun, because if it was fun then it would be called “play.” Can work be fun? Can work include a bit of humor and still see objectives attained?  Can laughter and smiles benefit a work environment, or do they serve to create added risk to the organization? Humor in the workplace is a revolving door through which employees and employers pass each time a joke is told at the water cooler, a funny comment is made in a team meeting or a political cartoon is posted on the wall of a cubicle. The question becomes, where will the employee and the organization be led each time they pass?

Why Humor at Work

Human beings, by nature, act in ways that match their internal values and innate needs and desires. Subsequently, an individual who introduces humor into the workplace will likely do so in consideration of (consciously or unconsciously) their purpose and resultant needs and goals. 

Hierarchy of Needs

According to psychologist Abraham Maslow, people act in ways that are hierarchically consistent with their level of need. One who has physiological and safety needs may inject humor into their work environment as a means to reduce the possibility of becoming anxious or uncomfortable due to a lack of such basic needs. One who has a need to be socially accepted or who has esteem needs may use humor as a means to become accepted, to form emotionally-based relationships with others throughout the organization or to form a level of self-acceptance beyond that to which they additionally socially ascribe. If a person seeks self-actualization, humor may be used as a means to become the best he/she is capable of being by both leaving and entering each workplace encounter with a sense of legacy. 

Needs Theory 

Based on the work of psychologist David McClelland, humor in the workplace can be assumed to be driven by a motivational impetus based on an individual’s own needs. Human beings acquire, shape and reshape varying needs over time beginning in the early stages of life and continuing throughout their adult and professional careers. These needs are driven by achievement, power or affiliation. While achievement and power can have a strong influence over a person’s actions, the need for affiliation can play an instrumental role in the use of humor in the workplace. Those with a strong need for affiliation have a very real desire to be accepted by their fellow coworkers and be part of the group. Often, humor becomes the tool used to become, or remain, affiliated and liked amongst fellow coworkers.

The Positives of Humor

Several myths and catch-phrases abound when it comes to humor, smiling and laughter. Some say it takes many more muscles in the face to frown, so smiling makes much more sense. Others say laughter is the best medicine. Bill Cosby said, “Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” When it comes to work and life, and all that goes with it, humor can make a good situation better and can lessen the pain of a bad day. 

Communication

Many would agree that communication and interpersonal relationships are what makes the world go around. Just as it is in personal life, the workplace presents an environment within which people interact with each other on a consistent or recurring basis. Formally, it is taught that the better one knows oneself (communication style), the better one is able to improve communications by adapting to others. Informally, it is understood that every person and every encounter is different. For all the situational differences amongst interactions in the workplace, humor can often be the icebreaker to effective and open communication.

Relationship Building

The time people spend at work equals, and in many cases exceeds, the time spent outside of work with family and friends. As such, those within the workplace are often referred to as the “work family.” As with any family, nuances among the group affect relationships that are built and maintained. When people are comfortable with one another, they tend to talk in a more casual manner and often joke around a bit, building rapport. When people can laugh together or find something to be mutually humorous, a common bond is established and a relationship is formed or strengthened. While differences amongst coworkers abound, humor can often bridge the divide and bring people closer together, creating relationships within the workplace where they would not otherwise have an opportunity to develop.

Stress Reduction

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” From looming deadlines, to performance reports, to financial concerns, to worries over the global state of affairs—human beings have enough to be serious about. This is why humor plays such an important role in the workplace. The stresses of the day can sometimes become overwhelming, and when they do, performance and productivity can wane. Introducing a bit of levity throughout the course of the day can add a needed break, whether mentally or physically, which helps people remember to pause and identify the good reasons why they do what they do—why they are where they are. Stress can take an emotional and physical toll. Humor in the workplace can be introduced organizationally, within a group or individually. In any case, everyone can benefit. 

The Danger Zone

For all the good that humor in the workplace may offer, there is a reality that must be considered. Not all humor is good, appropriate or beneficial. When used at the right time, in the right context and for the right reasons, humor bears positive powers; however, when used too much or at the wrong time, in ways that are discourteous or inappropriate and for inconsiderate or malicious purposes, it can be a cancer that may eat away at the heart of an organization.

A Hostile Environment

 Most people can think of a time when they were with others at work and someone decided to chime in with a joke that was less than appropriate, especially considering the content and/or audience. Usually, a drawn-down groan ensues, smiles turn to straight faces and people suddenly have some place else they need to be. The joker may or may not realize the inappropriateness of the comment and goes about his/her business unaffected. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky. When this kind of situation arises, the work environment may be negatively affected by becoming less enjoyable and potentially may even be considered hostile.   The Civil Rights Act prohibits a hostile work environment that may be created or perpetuated by inappropriate humor. A hostile work environment occurs when jokes, suggestive remarks, pictures, cartoons, or sexually, discriminatory or otherwise derogatory comments alter the circumstances of the workplace. Generally, repeated conduct is required to prove a hostile work environment, and a “stray comment” has been held not to alter the working conditions sufficiently to create a cause of action; however, ill-used humor in the workplace, even as a single occurrence may be enough to cause an extremely negative domino effect to morale and performance.   

The Emotional Divide

While humor in the workplace can bring people together, it can just as quickly drive people apart. When joking around is directed at a person or group, it can perpetuate exclusivity, causing rifts between people, departments or even offices. Humor affects people on an emotional level. When a person makes a comment, forwards a funny e-mail or posts a comical cartoon, the content is interpreted by each individual in different ways, based on his/her own background, experience, beliefs and values. When the content is in contrast to how they feel or what they believe to be acceptable in the workplace, an emotional trigger is set off and instantly a feeling of contempt exists. A sense of open disrespect for the rules established by the employer in the best interest of the employees and the organization as a whole is created, and the emotional connection that may have existed between the commenting employee and others is transformed into a great divide.                                                                                                                             

Stifling the Value of Diversity

For all the great reasons why employers focus on their diverse populations and the benefits they bring to the organization, humor in the workplace has the potential for stifling those benefits. When a company sincerely appreciates a heterogeneous workforce, it understands that cultural differences become a value-added piece to a complex organizational machine. Each piece interprets humor in the workplace differently, and it only takes a problem with one component to negatively affect everyone. Valuing diversity is supposed to create an environment where people can work together productively and cooperatively, fully contributing their individual knowledge, talents and skills. When ill-placed humor in the workplace is directed at a particular race, religion, orientation, age or other group, it interrupts the continuity amongst employees and contradicts all the good a diverse population brings to the organization.

As with anything, too much of a good thing is usually unwise. Humor in the workplace exists for many reasons.  It can help people meet their innate needs, and it can aid in the quest for interpersonal relationships and affiliation. Humor in the workplace assists with communication, stimulates relationship building and reduces stress. But it can also create a hostile environment, perpetuate exclusivity and stifle diversity efforts. Though potholes exist, in most cases, when approached carefully and with only the best of intentions, humor in the workplace can be a good and healthy road to take on the journey to a productive and enjoyable work environment.    

Construction Business Owner, January 2008