6 reasons why humour at work pays off

Laughter in the workplace? It may seem like a minor detail, but it offers surprisingly big benefits for productivity and the work atmosphere. Clarissa Pryce, manager at Robert Walters shares 6 reasons why humor can contribute to a healthier work environment and improved performance at work.

1. Humor as a stress reliever  

Stress is one of the biggest causes of reduced productivity in the workplace. A good dose of humor can work against this by creating a relaxed atmosphere. Laughing about daily challenges helps employees to be more resilient and prevents them from getting stuck in negative stress. Clarissa: “This effect has been scientifically proven: laughter stimulates the production of endorphins - the ‘happiness hormone’ - and helps to reduce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.”

2. Increased creativity through humor  

“Creative solutions often arise in a relaxed and safe environment. Humor plays an important role here,” says Clarissa. “Laughing makes our brains more flexible, which leads to coming up with original ideas and solutions."

Teams that embrace humor are found to be easier to shift gears and better able to think out-of-the-box.

"This makes for a more innovative work environment where making mistakes is less fraught.”

3. Stronger team bonds  

Laughter brings people closer together. “Humor makes colleagues feel more connected, which is essential for a well-functioning team. When employees laugh together, they feel more at ease, which strengthens team spirit. It also leads to more trust between colleagues, which enhances communication and cooperation. Humor, so to speak, is one of the best lubricants for effective team building,” explains Clarissa.  

4. Less absenteeism and better mental health  

Clarissa: “Employees who feel happy in the workplace are less likely to call in sick. Companies that encourage humor find that their employees' well-being increases. A positive and pleasant work environment can even help prevent burnout. A work environment where there is room for laughter not only improves employees' mental well-being, but also increases productivity through reduced absenteeism and higher engagement.”

5. Humor as a leadership tool  

“Leaders who use humor effectively often prove more successful in building an open and accessible corporate culture,” says Clarissa. “A leader with a sense of humor is more likely to be seen as human and approachable, resulting in more trust from employees. Moreover, humor promotes informal communication and can help discuss difficult topics in a light-hearted way. This creates a culture where giving and receiving feedback becomes easier, and employees feel freer to share ideas.”

6. Increased motivation and job satisfaction  

“Motivation is a key driver of productivity. Employees who enjoy their work perform better and are more likely to be committed for the long term. Companies that use humor as part of their culture often see that their employees not only work harder, but also come to work with more fun. In fact, a work environment where laughter is allowed can be the key to long-term success,” concludes Clarissa.

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