Afraid to Have Fun at Work?

“Most of the time I don’t have any fun.The rest of the time, I don’t have any fun at all.” (Woody Allen)

A funny thing is happening in American companies these days. From very small companies to Fortune 500 corporations, businesses are learning to put fun to work. According to the CEO of Rosenbluth International, Hal Rosenbluth, it is “almost inhumane if companies create a climate where people can’t naturally have fun . . . Our role and responsibility as leaders and associates is to create a place where people can enjoy themselves. I know our company is doing well when I walk around and hear people laughing.”

In a recent survey conducted by William M. Mercer, Inc., a New York-based consulting firm, employers were asked how they feel about humor on the job. While 8 percent said they discourage humor at work, another 8 percent include humor in their mission statements and values. Even more surprising, 4 percent of those surveyed have a humor consultant on staff.

There is an underlying assumption that humor, laughter or a playful attitude on the job will be viewed negatively in most corporations. When you talk to employees (both management and non-management) in private about this, they almost always say that they have to be careful about letting their sense of humor show on the job. Both employees and management fear that people will feel they’re being unprofessional, and that they’re incompetent, not taking their job seriously, etc. And, often, management makes the assumption that being playful 0r having fun means less productivity.

We strongly disagree, especially about the productivity point. Consider the following:

If you take a break and have some lighthearted conversation or listen to or read something funny, do you think you’ll come back more or less refreshed? The obvious answer is MORE. And, if you’re more refreshed, do you think you’ll be more or less productive? The answer again is MORE!

The word is out that employees who enjoy their jobs work more effectively. As a result, companies see a significant difference in the bottom-line – decreased employee turnover, increased morale and team functioning.

There are few things to keep in mind when one wants to utilize their sense of humor and fun on the job.

Establish your competence – Make sure people around know you are doing your job competently first, before letting your sense of humor show up. This is true for everyone, but especially true if you’re new on the job, or younger. You don’t want to be seen as someone who plays all the time, and doesn’t work. “All play and no work makes Jack …Unemployed!”

Once you’ve established that you’re good at what you do, and that you’re professional and take your work seriously, you’ll find that humor and a lighter style will work for you, not against you.

Be Sensitive — Always be sensitive to when any kind of humor or laughter is and is not appropriate. What’s fun for one person won’t attract another to crack a grin, so tailor your humor to include all individual styles. And if you’re dealing with the humor impaired just remember what Jack Webb from Dragnet always said, “Just the facts please”.

Interestingly, when a program is at a hotel (e.g., at a convention), most people in the room are able to let go and enter the spirit of fun. But when it’s in the building they work in, the percentage of people comfortable with letting the playful side of themselves out is always much smaller. People become nervous and self-conscious, apparently concerned about their image and apparent lack of professionalism. Consider: many people have been programmed for years to believe that giggling or laughing (at inappropriate times) is a frivolous waste of time, thus creating a barrier or hang-up about humor and fun.

Minimize Your Risk –When it comes to using humor, minimize your risk for failure by starting with simple acts involving some sort of surprise and/or exaggeration that make people feel good. Don’t always go for a laugh. Instead take someone by surprise and do something nice that makes them feel appreciated. And if you’re still worried about the risk, do it anonymously. Leave a flower on someone’s desk, send them a humorous card or comic strip, give them a chocolate bar. Some organizations have instituted a Secret Pal system. Each person receives the name of a coworker, with the understanding that they are to do one nice, anonymous thing for this individual in the next month.

In working with many organizations, we’ve found that they are often full of very funny and resourceful people who just need to be given permission and encouragement to use their sense of humor on the job. Let’s face it, with humor, there’s always a risk involved. But it’s up to each of us to take that risk so we can make our work environment a better place to be. You know what works best? A sense of humor trickling from the TOP down – CEO and management setting the example. So, why not give it a try?! You’ll be amazed.

Here’s a joke to get you started:

At the end of a job interview, the HR person asked the young MBA fresh out of MIT, “And what starting salary were you looking for?”

The candidate said, “In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.”

The HR person said, “Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years—say a red Corvette?”

The MBA sat up straight and said, “Wow!! Are you kidding?” “Certainly,” said the HR person, “but you started it.”

After all, if all you do when you go to work is work and stress out, then you need to lighten up. Contact me if you need help.

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