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"Work is supposed to be fun," says Arlene Jorgenson, an occupational health nurse who
gives workshops about humour in the workplace. But Arlene says most of us are suffering from terminal seriousness. "We have stuffy meetings, stuffy offices and we've become stuffy people because we don't give ourselves permission to lighten up," she says.
Her research reveals that workplaces deliberately incorporating humour in their routine
are more productive and creative, use less sick time and have less turnover. "Humour," Arlene says, "helps us handle difficult situations, build team work, release stress, and validate each other."
In hard economic times, when the workforce must do more with less, humour is a productivity booster. "Put on nerd glasses," suggests Arlene, "post jokes on the bulletin board or have a fictitious award for the funniest phone call of the day. Don't let terminal seriousness take all the fun out of work!"
-As a recreational rehabilitation counsellor, Lory Block began to explore the importance of work in people's lives. Lory is now the owner of Careers by Design, an agency which provides career and employment counselling to individuals and companies facing transitions. Contact her via email.
