Integrating Humor In The Workplace

Laughter is said to be the best medicine. While that may be true, it's important to always give the patient the right medicine, otherwise it is useless and, in some cases, harmful. The same can be said for humor: give a person a joke without thinking, and they could end up confused by the joke or offended by it. Because of this, many authors have several techniques to find the perfect joke befitting their audience in order to provide a clear and crisp way of showing the reader their message.

Norman Cousins said, “Laughter is a powerful way to tap positive emotions" (Moss 1). Humor is studied by many researchers in sociology, psychology, art, literature, and medicine. When people wonder whether humor aids in areas other than health, a treasure trove of possible benefits to the learning or educational community is opened up. Humor can be used as a tool to promote learning.Research speaks to the many benefits of humor in healing, to its benefits in the classroom or boardroom, from reducing stress of students or employees, to boosting self-esteem and feelings of camaraderie. Additionally, studies show that those who use humor to convey a message are often more favorably perceived. Humor helps deliver the presenter's message to

Some situations can be extremely funny and is good for everyone to show that you have a sense of fun and humour, so long as it isn’t unkind or be undermining to individuals.

Humor is an integral part of our everyday lives providing us with laughter, enjoyment, relaxation and a sense of relief. Today, humor and laughter are universally accepted; however, not all humor is treated equally, leaving room for interpretation of what is funny. Early theories and beliefs about humor suggest that humor was cruel and was at the expense of another human being. However, early beliefs could not explain all forms of humor and why humor occurs in many contexts.

In this article by Brooks and Bitterly “Why it Pays off to Be Funny at Work -- Usually”, is about how people act toward jokes at work and if it even allowed. This article talks about researcher on how some employees up make jokes at work. In "Why it Pays off to Be Funny at Work -- Usually” article is written that the people who take the chance to humor up their workplace show perceive as they are being sure of themselves; seem very confident.

Laughter and responsibility are really more like a “1A” and “1B” to me. Laughter is so summarily important because one of the most consistent lessons I have ever learned is that life means little without it. Business environments are not excluded from this proverb. While there is certainly a time and a place for everything, one of the things I have always been most grateful for is to have found a potential career with an employer that

Maintaining a sense of humour – the job that we do within school is obviously very important, however sometimes it helps to see the funny side of some situations as laughter can be a good way to break the ice and is also a great way of relaxing and relieving stress.

Since the starting episode in 2005, The Office has consistently portrayed a humorous office environment. The humor within the sitcom stems from influential people, such as Sigmund Freud, who depended on awkwardness to make a joke. The creators of The Office, like Greg Daniels and more, established humor by relying on Freud’s ideology, observational humor, and juvenalian satire. This is especially prevalent in season two, episode one of the show, “The Dundies.” Throughout the series, the audience has rolled over in their seats because of the regional manager, Michael Scott.

Modern society allows humorists to touch upon offensive topics without receiving much criticism. As Alain de Botton claimed in his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, humorists’ role is not merely to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” De Botton’s argument proves legitimate. Many humorists, such as cartoonists and television hosts, decide to use their humor as a tool to prove an idea or express a belief that cannot be voiced candidly in public.

Humor is viewed by some people as an important part of life. Most people enjoy amusement, and some turn to humorists as a source for that amusement. Some further view humorists as holding an important position in society because society allows humorists to say things that others can and will not say. Due to their unique position in society, humorists serve a role that is certainly unique and can be important, but not vital. Furthermore, humor can very well have a dangerous side, whether intentional or unintentional, so humorists should try to be careful with their powerful position.

While Dr. Kataria believed that laughter improves health, increases organizational profit and brings world peace, a Ford worker in 1940 was fired for smiling at a job site. Ford feared that work and play are the toxic combinations in the workplace. The author states that the joyfulness make us more productive and fulfilled

One element that makes The Office an excellent television show is the use of humor. The show’s humor may be described as dry and sarcastic. The characters are not attempting to be funny, nevertheless, they are extremely immature; therefore, the language the workers use may seem hilarious. About three-fourths of the employees in the company can be described as strange and unusual,

As humans, laughing and joking is something that comes natural. This is something that we have been doing even before we knew how to walk or talk. As we start to grow up, we all develop personality traits and our humor styles follow. Before taking this course, I have never consider identifying what my humor styles are until now. I took the Humor Style Questionnaire (Martin et al. 2003) and calculated that my top humor style is self-enhancing and closely following is affiliative. Throughout this paper I am going to reflect on my top humor styles with personal examples, and how it relates to my mental health, with several methods I can use to make myself healthier and happier. I will also be considering the other two styles and how then do not relate to my humor style and mental health.

People always say that laughter alleviates tension. If this is the case, then it makes sense that the use of humor when discussing uncomfortable topics can make the conversation easier and more light-hearted. One of Mark Twain’s most frequently used devices in works such as “Advice to Youth”, “To the Person Sitting in Darkness”, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is satire, which can provide society a method to bond over uncomfortable topics, and facilitate the ability to sustain that bond through an easier way to create discussion.

Van Wormer, K., and M. Boes. "HUMOR IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM: A Social Work Perspective." Welcome! Web. 23 Sept. 2011. .