In the fast-paced and demanding world of modern-day offices, where deadlines loom and stress levels skyrocket with each day, one element shines through like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day: humor. It has become increasingly clear that a workplace infused with humor is not only a happier place to be in but also a more productive and innovative one.

Multiple studies have consistently demonstrated that humor in the workplace offers more than just a pleasant experience or a perception of time passing swiftly; it delivers tangible advantages to the bottom line. When employees share laughter, they exhibit heightened levels of creativity and collaboration, leading to increased productivity and profitability.

According to a study by Stanford University researchers Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, there is a notable decline in the frequency of laughter as we age. They refer to this phenomenon as the "humor cliff," highlighting that an average four-year-old child laughs around 300 times a day, while it takes the average 40-year-old adult approximately two and a half months to reach the same amount of laughter.

This decline in laughter is particularly evident on weekdays, it turns out. As an analysis of Gallup revealed in 2013, we laugh significantly less during the workweek compared to weekends. Thus, it seems that our work-centric, hustle culture plays a role in this disparity.

Undoubtedly, when discussing workplace humor, it would be remiss not to mention the iconic character of Michael Scott from the TV series The Office. This beloved show adeptly captures the significance of humor in the workplace. From Michael's comically inept attempts at leadership to the witty exchanges between Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute, The Office exemplifies how humor can bridge the gap between hierarchical levels and diverse personalities, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

However, it is important to acknowledge that The Office also serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential pitfalls of office banter. As Kai Chi (Sam) Yam, a Provost's Chair Professor of Management at the National University of Singapore Business School, emphasizes in his research discussed in a Harvard Business Review article: "Some forms of humor on the part of a leader can also act as a powerful signal to team members that it’s OK to break the rules in negative ways."

In order to learn more about how some good-hearted monkey business can turn any “soul-sucking, fun-sucking, Dilbert-like” job into a place where workers willingly go without feeling like Office Space's Peter Gibbons, Bored Panda reached out to Michael Kerr, one of North America's leading speakers on workplace culture and the author of 'The Humour Advantage: Why Some Businesses Are Laughing All the Way to the Bank.'

"I always like to remind people that there's a chicken and egg relationship or maybe a rubber chicken and egg relationship [when it comes to humor at a workplace]. Humor helps build a better workplace where people want to show up and do their best work. But humor also reflects a positive workplace culture," Kerr explained over a Zoom call. "So if people feel valued and appreciated and there's open and honest communication, there's high levels of trust," which in itself is one of the key ingredients of great results. 

At first glance, humor and productivity may appear like an odd couple in the world of work, sure. According to Kerr, however, there's more to it than meets the eye. "We know from all sorts of research that when you deliver your messages with humor, people are more likely to hear your messages. We remember them more," he argued. "We know that 'ha' plus 'ha' equals 'haha'. So if you wanna be more creative at work, adding more fun and being more playful in your meetings can help you be more creative."

Michael Kerr is right. Leaders who possess a sense of humor are regarded as 27% more inspiring and respected than their more serious counterparts, according to research. Not only that, but employees of bosses who incorporate humor into meetings exhibit 15% higher levels of engagement, and their teams are over twice as likely to conquer the hurdles of creative challenges—a phenomenon that undoubtedly translates into better results. 

Undoubtedly, humor is a subjective matter, and certain forms of it, such as sarcasm or aggressive humor, have a tendency to backfire. With this in mind, Kerr advises individuals to avoid such styles and instead focus on good-natured, clever banter, especially if they don't naturally possess a comedic inclination. "If you're a manager, a supervisor, you have to be super careful that you're not using humor to punch down [on employees]. You have to be able to show that you can take a joke, that you can laugh at yourself," said Kerr.

"If you're on a team building event or you're doing something kind of fun at a retreat or a social event," he said, "be the first person to step up and be willing to laugh at yourself - give people around you the ability to laugh at you a little bit. That sends such a powerful message as a leader."