HUMOR Cassandra Kitko, MBA, CHES, IC Assistant Manager, Health
Initiatives Employee Benefits Division, Office of Human Resources
Slide 2 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! Slide 3 What is a
Sense of Humor? Being at ease with yourself Ability to act with
lightness It is not about being a comedian Slide 4 Functions of
Humor Physiologic Psychological Social Communication Slide 5 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. Slide 6 Slide 7 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! Slide 8 The Office
Stress Test Are you stressed at the office? Take the stress test!
Slide 9 Slide 10 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 Slide 11 Humor: A Value Added Benefit Stress
reducer Creativity enhancer Stimulates fresh thinking Allows us to
gain perspective Team building Powerful communication tool Slide 12
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. Slide 13 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. Slide 14
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 Slide 15 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!!! Slide 16 When is Humor Not Appropriate?
Ethnic/gender jokes Cruel humor (practical jokes) Sarcastic humor
(practical jokes) Non-stop Humor as a distraction Slide 17
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 Slide 18
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 Slide 19 How Can You Tell
Your Humor is Appropriate? Body language Gives valuable feedback
Clues and cues Slide 20 Slide 21 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 Slide 22 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 Slide 23 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
Slide 24 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 Slide 25 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. Slide 26 Humor
Links The Humor Project, Inc. www.humorproject.com Despair, Inc.
www.despair.com Slide 27
