Having a laugh at work

At work, no matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationery. That’s a joke, if not a very good one, but at least I can be pretty confident it’s not going to offend anyone.

‘Banter’ in the workplace, communities and households is a cultural norm. Most of the time it’s positive. It helps build stronger relationships, enjoyable workplaces and can contribute to reduced anxiety or stress. But, as most of us realise, negative banter can have the opposite effect. In such instances, what’s ‘just a bit of banter’ to one person can be hurtful or offensive to someone else.

This is a societal issue, but we have decided to work on addressing it. The impetus came from some of our listening sessions, when our UK senior team (referred to as the OpCom) took time with colleagues from the networks representing the diverse groups within our workforce to listen to their personal lived-experiences both outside and within the places they have worked.

The SUEZ UK workplace culture is positive and inclusive, so thankfully, inappropriate banter isn’t a persistent HR problem. But we were concerned by some of the experiences our colleagues shared. All the more so, because we know our employees attach great importance to their work environment and to diversity and inclusion. These are among the eight areas they highlighted as important for their wellbeing when we drew up our Wellness for All charter back in 2019.

Moreover, we know that having a positive and inclusive workplace enhances employee wellbeing, performance, and productivity. Everyone has a right to feel safe, respected and valued at work so they can be their authentic selves. This provides the best opportunity for people to thrive.

In our industry we all accept that health and safety is all-important. As I pointed out last month when introducing a session on Banter and Boundaries at our Wellbeing & Inclusion Conference, psychological safety also needs safeguarding like physical safety. We have a duty to create safe spaces where people feel comfortable and confident to speak up, share their ideas and be themselves without fear of being mocked or singled out. But it’s everyone’s responsibility, and essential if we are to live our company values of team spirit and respect.

We devoted the afternoon of our Wellbeing & Inclusion Conference to putting banter in context, beginning with a presentation by our wellbeing and inclusion partner, Goldentree’s Simon Richardson. Delegates also took part in a specially created learning experience (in the format of a board game) we have designed in-house to help people identify what is positive banter and what is not.

Banter and Boundaries was also the theme of a webinar for all employees on September 22nd, and will be covered in an e-learning session made available to all. Again, the aim is to clarify our understanding of positive banter, develop people’s confidence in establishing personal boundaries, and nurture their ability to address inappropriate banter among their peers in a constructive way.

Ask people at any level in your organisation what they most enjoy about work – or what helps them through the more challenging or mundane aspects of their job – and the chances are they will mention their relationships with colleagues. Simon outlined the various benefits of humour and laughter in the workplace. From enhancing our mood and reducing stress to boosting collaboration, productivity, and creativity. These benefits are significant both for the business and for mental health.

We also explored the different styles, forms, and theories of humour. The three main theories revolve around relief, superiority, and incongruity. Too much theoretical analysis risks spoiling the joke, but to summarise, these theories relate, respectively, to how humour can release psychological tension when we are nervous; spring from perceptions of superiority – “punching up” or “down,” when others are the butt of a joke; or the way that absurdity in life can amuse or surprise us.

Whether triggered by a joke, a spontaneous remark in conversation, or even something unintentional, humour generates – along with the laughter – physiological as well as psychological benefits. The old adage that laughter is the best medicine has been taken literally by the many people around the world teaching and practising laughter yoga. It’s based on the belief that voluntary, intentional, prolonged laughter provides similar benefits to the spontaneous variety. In other words, when we laugh, our brains don’t know if we’re faking it.

What are these physiological and psychological effects? Laughter releases endorphins, making us feel good. It reduces stress and strengthens the immune system. Laughter is a great connector, and our quality of life depends on good relationships. It also helps us cope with the challenges we face in our daily lives, giving us a more positive mental attitude. The other big personal and business benefits come from an oxygen boost. To function optimally, our brains need 25% more oxygen than other body systems. Laughter can increase the net supply of oxygen to our brains, boosting concentration, effectiveness, and performance.

And it’s entirely natural. Children seem to be born almost with a feeling for what’s funny. Infants don’t have to be tickled to smile and giggle. But our personal sense of humour develops over time. When the teasing goes too far, parents have to remind their children that if everyone doesn’t find it funny, it’s not a joke anymore. Or, when it is repeated too often.

The same rules should apply in the workplace. As mature people who respect our colleagues, when we go to tell a joke or make what’s meant to be a light-hearted remark, we pause to consider what messages we will send out to those around us.

We have to think about boundaries and who is on the receiving end of the joke. It means being considerate of people’s feelings and sensitivities, showing respect for colleagues whether they are our peers or report to us.

But, as well as recognising where the boundaries are, it helps if we make sure our thoughts and words are coming from a good place. A desire to be friendly, to amuse or be interesting is far more likely to result in a comment that is well received. A ‘sense of humour’ that is impulsive, boastful, or mean only generates negativity, even if some people join in. Teasing can all too easily tip over into ‘othering’, belittling or even bullying.

Never mind the envelope, pushing those boundaries is no laughing matter.