5 Appropriate Workplace Humor Examples You Should See
Using humor in the workplace can be a delicate balancing act. On one hand, it can be a great way to create a positive and enjoyable work environment, build camaraderie among colleagues, and even reduce stress and increase productivity. On the other hand, if not used appropriately, humor can easily cross the line and become unprofessional or offensive.
In this post, we'll be sharing actual dialog examples between two hypothetical colleagues, Mark and Andrew, to showcase the use of humor in the office. Whether it's using satire to make fun of a tedious task or using observational humor at an office birthday party, there are plenty of ways to inject a little levity into the workday. Keep reading to see how Mark and Andrew use humor to lighten the mood and improve team morale.
Optimize team management in minutes with ManageBetter. Start your free trial now and join Uber and Microsoft in boosting performance, gathering insights, and generating reviews—all AI-powered, no writing required.
Example of soup-reme creativity
Incorporating puns into workplace conversation can be an effective way to add levity without causing offense or discomfort to others.
Mark: Hey Andrew, did you hear about the new restaurant that opened up downtown?
Andrew: No, I haven't. What's it called?
Mark: (laughs) It's called "The Soup-er Market."
Andrew: (laughs) Oh man, that's a good one. I love a good pun.
Mark: (laughs) Yeah, me too. And the best part is, they have all sorts of soups on the menu.
Andrew: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, I bet they have a "soup-er" selection.
Mark: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, they have everything from "soup-reme" chowder to "soup-er" spicy chili.
Andrew: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Maybe we should go check it out for lunch today?
Mark: (laughs) (joking) Definitely. Let's "soup-er" size it and try a few different kinds.
Example of an inside joke
An inside joke is humor that is specific to your team or workplace can create a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Mark: Hey Andrew, do you remember that time we went to that company retreat and the boss fell into the pool?
Andrew: (laughs) Oh man, I will never forget that.
Mark: (laughs) I can't believe he was trying to do a backflip off the diving board.
Andrew: (laughs) And then he landed face-first in the water.
Mark: (laughs) I still can't believe he didn't see that coming.
Andrew: (laughs) That was one of the funniest moments I've ever witnessed at work.
Mark: (laughs) Yeah, it was hilarious. Glad we were there to witness it.
Andrew: (laughs) Me too. That's definitely going down in company history.
Example of observational humor
Observational humor is pointing out the quirks or absurdities of everyday life can be a way to bring a bit of humor into the workplace.
Mark: Hey Andrew, have you tried the cake yet?
Andrew: (laughs) Yeah, I did. It's really good.
Mark: (laughs) Yeah, it is. And did you see the way that David was trying to blow out the candles?
Andrew: (laughs) Yeah, I did. (joking) He was blowing so hard, I thought the candles were going to shoot across the room.
Mark: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, and then he started to turn red in the face. I thought he was going to pass out.
Andrew: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, and then he just gave up and blew out the candles with his mouth half open.
Mark: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, that was pretty hilarious. And then when he finally got them all out, he was so out of breath, he couldn't even make a wish.
Andrew: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, I'm pretty sure the only thing he wished for was to be able to breathe again.
Mark: (laughs) (joking) Yeah, I think we all felt that way. (laughs) Happy birthday, David!
Example of humor to diffuse tension
In times of stress or conflict, using humor can help to lighten the mood and bring people together.
Mark: "Hey Andrew, I'm starting to feel like a hamster on a wheel here. How about we take a break and do some breathing exercises?"
Andrew: "Breathing exercises? Are you kidding me? I need a drink, not some yoga crap."
Mark: "Come on, it'll help clear our minds and calm our nerves. Plus, it'll be funny to see each other do it."
Andrew: "Fine, but if I start seeing unicorns, I'm blaming you."
(They both laugh and take a few minutes to do some deep breathing exercises together, finding some humor in the absurdity of the situation.)
Mark: "Okay, I feel a little better. How about you?"
Andrew: "Yeah, me too. Thanks for the suggestion. Let's get back to work before we turn into those hamsters."
Example of self-deprecating humor
Self-depreciating humor is making light of your own mistakes or quirks can help to endear you to your colleagues and show that you are able to laugh at yourself. Here’s an example from two colleagues:
Mark: Hey Andrew, did you see that email I sent out earlier?
Andrew: Yeah, I saw it.
Mark: Oh man, I can't believe I forgot to attach the file. I'm such an idiot.
Andrew: Don't worry about it, we all make mistakes. It's not a big deal.
Mark: Yeah, I guess you're right. I just hate when I mess things up like that.
Andrew: Hey, it happens to the best of us. You're not alone.
Mark: (laughs) Thanks for being understanding. I appreciate it.
Andrew: No problem, we're all in this together.
Mark: Yeah, we are. Thanks, Andrew.
Sharpen Your Leadership Edge: Join 3,000+ executives receiving weekly, actionable insights from industry experts. Subscribe free to The Thoughtful Leader and elevate your team's performance.
