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

Physiologic
Psychological
Social
Communication

Signs You Are Burned Out Because of Work

Your garbage can is in your in box.

You sleep more at work than at
home.
Your Day Timer exploded a week ago.
Youre 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 dont care.
Your friend calls to ask how youve been,
and you immediately scream, Im fine!

The Office Stress Test

Are you stressed at the office?

Take the stress test!

Humor Whys
Take your job seriouslyand take
yourself lightly
Humor can help us to surviveand
thriveat work
Jest for the health of it!
De-stresser
A smile is the shortest distance
between two people

Humor: A Value Added Benefit

Stress reducer
Creativity enhancer
Stimulates fresh thinking
Allows us to gain perspective
Team building
Powerful communication tool

Benefits of Humor
Humor makes work fun/builds team
spirit.
Humor can help us cope with
problems.
Humor offers perspective and
balance.
Humor isnt 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 dont 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?

Ethnic/gender jokes
Cruel humor (practical jokes)
Sarcastic humor (practical jokes)
Non-stop
Humor as a distraction

Stress-Producing Humor

Pokes fun at other peoples 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 Tos

Put humor into the physical

environment
Use humor as a tool rather than as a
weapon
Build humor into the corporate
culture
Humors Bottom Line

Some Suggestions

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 203s 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