October Resource of the Month
Resource of the Month: “Funny Business: Using Humor for Good in the Workplace”
Exploring How Humor Can Support Wellbeing and Connection at Work
This quarter, we're exploring how humor can be a tool for connection, care, and culture. Our featured resource for October is a research paper titled “Funny Business: Using Humor for Good in the Workplace” by Caudill and Woodzicka (2017).
This paper looks at how humor shows up in the workplace, and how it can either strengthen or damage wellbeing depending on how it's used. The full article is academic, but the insights are practical and relevant for anyone interested in building healthy workplace culture.
Key Insights from the Paper
1. Humor works best when it supports relationships.
The biggest takeaway is that humor has a positive impact when it is used to build social connection. It's most effective when it creates a sense of support, inclusion, or camaraderie.
2. The kind of humor matters.
Positive humor (like self-aware jokes or playful team banter) is helpful. Negative humor (like sarcasm, teasing, or exclusion) can backfire and undermine trust.
3. Intent is not the same as impact.
A joke that lands well with one person might fall flat, or even offend, another. Timing, delivery, and context all play a role. Leaders especially need to be mindful of power dynamics.
4. Humor and psychological safety go hand in hand.
If your team doesn’t feel safe speaking up or sharing honest feedback, humor can become a cover for discomfort rather than a tool for connection.
Practical Applications for the Workplace
Try starting meetings with light, inclusive humor to build comfort
Coach leaders to use humor intentionally and thoughtfully
Talk with your team about humor norms and clarify what’s okay and what’s not as a group
Use humor to ease tension, but never at someone’s expense
Create cultures where people feel safe saying, “That didn’t sit right with me”
Read the full abstract here
Let's continue to build cultures of wellbeing, together. Check out what’s next and join us at our upcoming events.
