A new national survey reported at Monster.com finds that workers are carefully managing when and how they joke on the job, especially when senior leadership is nearby.
The Workplace Laughter Report shows humor remains common during the workday, with 96 percent saying laughter helps reduce stress. But many employees say concerns about professionalism and reputation influence how freely they express their personality at work.
The survey was conducted by Pollfish on Monday, Feb. 2, among more than 1,000 currently employed US workers.
The results reveal a workplace balancing act between connection and caution.
Key findings from Monster’s Workplace Laughter Report include:
- 76 percent of workers are less likely to joke around with senior leadership.
- 77 percent say they laugh at least three times during a typical workday.
- 32 percent say their workplace has become more serious over the past year.
- 95 percent say laughter helps them feel more connected to coworkers.
- 69 percent say they sometimes hold back humor to avoid appearing less professional or credible.
- 57 percent say they have laughed at a joke they did not actually find funny.
Survey results show how often workers say they laugh during a typical workday:
- 39 percent laugh three to five times.
- 18 percent laugh six to 10 times.
- 21 percent laugh more than 10 times.
- Three percent say they never laugh at work.
But many employees say the tone at work is tightening.
About 32 percent say their workplace has become more serious over the past year, while 52 percent say the tone has stayed about the same. Only 16 percent say their workplace has become more relaxed or humorous.
Survey respondents identified the following areas as sensitive:
- 52 percent say politics is off limits.
- 36 percent say leadership or management.
- 31 percent say clients or customers.
- 22 percent say company culture.
- 15 percent say workload or burnout.
- 17 percent say nothing feels off limits.
The sample included workers from several generations, with equal numbers from Millennials (Gen Y, born 1981 to 1996) and Gen X (born 1965 to 1980), with slightly fewer from Baby Boomers and Gen Z. Respondents identified their gender as 48 percent female and 52 percent male.
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