HUMOR
Cassandra Kitko, MBA, CHES, IC
Assistant Manager, Health Initiatives
Employee Benefits Division,
Office of Human Resources
Key Take-away Skills
• To increase your humor awareness
• To understand the benefits of humor
• To use humor appropriately and effectively in
the workplace
• To have some FUN!
What is a Sense of Humor?
• Being at ease with yourself
• Ability to act with lightness
• It is not about being a comedian
Functions of Humor
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Physiologic
Psychological
Social
Communication
Signs You Are Burned Out Because of
Work
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Your garbage can is in your “in” box.
You sleep more at work than at home.
Your Day Timer exploded a week ago.
You’re so tired you now answer the phone
forgetting your own name!
• You leave for a party and instinctively take
your ID badge.
Signs You Are Burned Out Because of Work
• Visions of the upcoming weekend help you
make it through Monday.
• You think about how relaxing it would be if
you were in jail right now.
• You wake up to discover your bed is on fire,
but go back to sleep because you just don’t
care.
• Your friend calls to ask how you’ve been, and
you immediately scream, “I’m fine!”
The Office Stress Test
Are you stressed at the office?
Take the stress test!
Humor Why’s
• Take your job seriously…and take yourself
lightly
• Humor can help us to survive–and thrive–at
work
• Jest for the health of it!
• De-stresser
• “A smile is the shortest distance between two
people”
Humor: A Value Added Benefit
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Stress reducer
Creativity enhancer
Stimulates fresh thinking
Allows us to gain perspective
Team building
Powerful communication tool
Benefits of Humor
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Humor makes work fun/builds team spirit.
Humor can help us cope with problems.
Humor offers perspective and balance.
Humor isn’t fattening.
Humor is a powerful communication tool and
allows for creative expression.
Benefits of Humor
• Humor is a way to express the truth even when
truth is feared and repressed.
• Humor is mentally and physically good for you.
• Laughter affirms life and brings people together.
• Humor often succeeds where other methods
have failed.
• It beats all the alternatives.
Benefits of Humor
Dear Mom and Dad,
I am sorry that I have not called, but my cell phone was
destroyed when the dorm burned down. I am now out of
the hospital and the doctor said that I will recover soon. I
have moved in with the boy who rescued me.
Oh, also, I know that you have always wanted a
grandchild, so you will be pleased to know that I am
pregnant and you will have one soon!
Love,
Mary
Benefits of Humor
P.S. There was no fire, my health is perfectly fine
and I am not pregnant. In fact, I don’t even have
a boyfriend.
But I did get a D in French and a C in math and
chemistry, and I just wanted to make sure that
you keep it all in perspective!!!
When is Humor Not Appropriate?
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Ethnic/gender jokes
Cruel humor (practical jokes)
Sarcastic humor (practical jokes)
Non-stop
Humor as a distraction
Stress-Producing Humor
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Pokes fun at other people’s individual shortcomings
Reflects anger
Offends with inappropriate use of sexual references
Divides a group by put-downs
Uses stereotypes to denigrate a person or group
Creates a cruel, abusive and offensive atmosphere
Is insensitive to what causes others real pain
Negates self-confidence
Gives license to hurt someone
Stress-Reducing Humor
• Reduces tension by joking about universal human
frustrations and faults
• Encourages people to relax and laugh
• Delights in poking fun at oneself
• Unites people by building rapport
• Creates a supportive atmosphere of fun and
caring
• Includes everyone in the good time
• Notes the positive aspects of human relationships
• Gives everyone a chance to participate
How Can You Tell
Your Humor is Appropriate?
• Body language
• Gives valuable feedback
• Clues and cues
“Recent research suggests that the
employee who can laugh in the face
of hectic and stressful situations is
probably not only a healthier
employee but a more productive
employee in the long run.”
Randall Osborne
Professor of Psychology
Humor How To’s
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Put humor into the physical environment
Use humor as a tool rather than as a weapon
Build humor into the corporate culture
Humor’s Bottom Line
Some Suggestions
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Promote a light atmosphere in your workplace
Baby pictures
Favorite jokes
Humorous quotes
Humor bulletin board
Post the joke of the day
Put cartoon on an office memo
Keep a funny toy or character on your desk
Humor at Work – Blumenfeld & Alpern
Application Rejection
Baxter Conners
Vice President
Dear Mr. Connors,
Thank you for your letter of February 17th. After careful consideration I regret to
inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me employment with your
bank.
This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of
rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates it is impossible
for me to accept all refusals.
Despite Company 203’s outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting
applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore I
will initiate employment with your firm immediately following graduation.
I look forward to seeing you then.
Sincerely,
Me
Notice
This department requires no physical fitness
program!
Everyone gets enough exercise jumping to
conclusions, flying off the handle, carrying
things too far and dodging responsibility.
Humor Links
• The Humor Project, Inc.
www.humorproject.com
• Despair, Inc.
www.despair.com