The workplace

Throughout recorded history, man has been aware that only humans really laugh. And they have rejoiced in the ability. The Greek muses -- especially Thalia -- loved humor. Poets, playwrights, politicians, professors, psychiatrists, philanderers and philanthropists, too.

Entertainers capitalize on our sense of humor. We almost all enjoy a good joke. Laughter makes life lighter.

But somehow in the workplace, clowning is often rewarded with a frown. How can you get the work done when you're having fun? The office buffoon may be overlooked when promotion time comes because laughter is considered a time-waster.

Well, here's a real illustration of the value of research.

Given the fact that corproations have believed for decades that satisfied employees are more productive, it's a little surprising that it has taken so many companies so long to discover that helping the employees to laugh can increase job satisfaction. In a work envirenment, humor can ce a survival tool.

"Recent research suggests that the employee who can laugh in the face of hectic and stressful situations is probably not only a healthier employee," says Randall Osborne, professor of psychology at Indiana University East, "but also a more productive employee in the long run."

Cheers!

Osborne points out that there has been a move afoot in recent years to recognize the value of humor in the workplace. Articles have started to appear in major business and industry journals such as Industry Week and Personnel Journal.

There are even books about using humor as a survival tool.

He comments that "given the fact that corporations have believed for decades that satisfied employees are more productive, it's a little surprising that it has taken so many companies so long to discover that helping the employees to laugh can increase job satisfaction."

Osborne, who is also the author of Word from the Nerd, isn't joking.

He cites evidence that developing a respect for humor in the workplace has brought amazing results in large corporations such as Kodak, where it was learned that humor and creativity went hand in hand. Kodak even developed a "humor room" where employees can escape the pressures of their work. The room is lined with pictures of such notables as Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx, not founder George Eastman. There is a toy store with toys, such as "boss dolls" with which employees can, well, have little chats that most likely wouldn't occur during a standard work day. In addition, there is a high-tech area where computers, loaded with creative software, encourage employees to work on new ideas as well as play games.

Osborne

Osborne suggests some ways we can inject humor into our own work:

• Use humorous memos.

• Have a joke board.

• Put out a monthly humor-letter.

• Post a joke for the day.

• Have costume days.

• Bring in humorous speakers.

• Encourage prank competitions.

• Foster teamwork methods.

Want a chuckle? Go to these Web sites:

http://www.ontarionorth.com/oct5story/humor.htm

http://www.humormatters.com/workplac.htm

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