Sherry Benoit, Ed.D
Associate VP for Strategic Enrollment Management
Lamar University
Introduction
 This session is intended to demonstrate the
techniques used in a University Records office to
improve employee morale by enhancing humor in
the workplace.
 By attending this session, you should leave with
ideas and strategies to enhance humor in your
work environment.
What is ‘Humor’?
Definitions of 'humor' (hyū’mər)
according to The American Heritage®
Dictionary:
Humor (n.) The quality that makes
something laughable or amusing; funniness
Humor (n.) That which is intended to induce
laughter or amusement
What is ‘Humor’?
“Humor is the fingerprint of the human soul”
J.M. Kearns
Humor defined…
 Note that the definition of humor includes
laughter AND amusement. It isn’t
necessary to be a stand-up comedian to
promote humor in your workplace. Jokes
are fine but you can also promote humor
through props, ‘warm fuzzies’ such as
small rewards, bulletin boards, fun
snacks, etc.
Why do you need humor in the workplace?
Humor can:
 Reduce Stress
 Build healthy work relationships
 Facilitate good communication
All of which lead to…
Better productivity, good customer service
and happier employees!
Why do you need humor in the
workplace?
It keeps you sane:
Humor can keep you sane…
…when you have one of ‘those’ days:
Reducing Stress
Scientific studies show that:
Laughing 200 times burns the same
amount of calories as 10 minutes on the
rowing machine!
Laughing reduces blood pressure,
relaxes your muscles, increases the
oxygen in your blood, strengthens your
immune system and generally gives your
major systems (cardiovascular &
respiratory) a good workout.
Why do you need humor in the workplace?
To find non-monetary ways to retain your
employees:
Inexpensive/humorous rewards:
 The office with the most ‘Excellent’ feedback cards in a




month got to display the customer service award (a large
stuffed fish).
Play games at staff meetings such as ‘Did you know…?’
with the person with the most correct answers getting a
prize.
Have a ‘sunshine committee’ to help plan celebrations and
fun days.
Small toys (pens, stress balls, slinkies, etc.)
Candy bags with poem for each staff member.
To Build Team Relationships (AKA – let’s all look stupid
together!)
Hawaiian Day…
To Build Team Relationships (AKA – let’s all look stupid
together!)
Hat Day…
To Build Team Relationships (AKA – let’s all look stupid
together!)
Mickey Mouse club…
…Sherry’s send off to Disneyworld
To Build Team Relationships (AKA – let’s all look stupid
together!)
Homecoming
‘Rocking the 80’s theme’
To Build Team Relationships (AKA – let’s all look stupid
together!)
Halloween
Pranks as Humor
Fostering a sense of ‘security’ among
your employees can lead to bursts of
creativity that then continues into
their work. This can lead to improved
work processes as a side benefit to the
humor in the workplace. The
following are a few pranks (among the
many) that staff members at two
different universities in the Records
Office created.
The ‘CSI’
prank
The Associate Registrar had been really stressing
the records vault:
Setting
Up the
Crime
Scene
More ‘CSI’…
Missing folders…
…clues were left
everywhere!
More ‘CSI’…
More clues...& then a return to the scene of the
crime!
Prank the Boss
I had been gone to a conference & was greeted by
‘Jack’ at my desk when I returned.
“I Missed ya’ Baby!”
Prank the Boss
The Director of
Admissions has a
Bird phobia…..
Her team decorated
Her area with –
BIRDS!
Prank the Boss
Our kids go to rival high
Schools. We are the Indians.
They are the Bulldogs.
I came in to find this 
PrankOurtobestshow
you
care…
and favorite tour guide was graduating…
PrankSoto
show
you
care…
on his last campus tour, we sent him off with
flair!
Showing
Appreciation
Periodically signs are posted to say ‘thanks’ to our
employees (both full-time and students)
Showing Appreciation
Showing Appreciation
Showing Appreciation
Celebrating the milestones…
Just having fun …
Humor and Communication
Humor can facilitate communication in different
ways.
1. Humor can diffuse tense situations.
2. Humor can make other employees seem more
approachable.
3. Humor can be used as a ‘gentle reminder’.
4. Employees who share humor regularly are not
as quick to ‘judge’ each other when a conflict
does arise.
Caution!
Humor in the workplace should never be ‘inappropriate’:



Jokes should be ‘clean’ and not aimed at any religion, ethnic
group, disability, etc.
Pranks should be non-physical and never target the same
person repeatedly.
Humor should always be ‘shared’ and not ‘directed’.
There is a time for humor and a time to be serious. If you
never act seriously, you will never be taken seriously.
Summary
My experience has been that the more
humor we use in our workplace, the
easier our jobs become. We found that
employees who are happy are also
productive. This attitude has also
spread to the students we serve. While
one student complained that we were
‘too loud’, many more comments are
made about us being students’ favorite
office to visit.
Keep in Mind
If you’re having fun, it doesn’t
have to feel like ‘work’!
Now go have FUN!
Questions?
Thank you for allowing
me to join you!
sherry.benoit@lamar.edu