Let laughter reverberate through your workspace during Laugh at Work Week, celebrated from April 1 to April 7. Laughter is the best antidote for stress. When people laugh merrily, they are bound to be happier and, consequently, more productive. Sadly, often workplaces overlook the aspect of laughter in the humdrum of their daily tasks, resulting in mirthless work days for employees. During Laugh at Work Week, laughing will be on the top of your to-do list. The Week promises to take the stress away from work. For a change, you may find people queuing up to take their seats on a Monday morning.
History of Laugh at Work Week
Laugh out loud! Better still, roll over the floor laughing. At work. Yes, you read it right. For one week every year, organizations worldwide celebrate Laugh at Work Week. The week starts on — you guessed it right —April 1. It is a week dedicated to being funny at work because all work and no fun make Jack a dull worker. It is a strange contradiction that the places where we spend most of our waking time — our workplaces, are bereft of laughter and humor, which is essential to maximizing our potential. Stress at work often makes us go through our professional lives as a coiled spring. Laugh at Work Week allows us to uncoil ourselves so that we may realize the full benefits of laughter and humor while at work.
Laughing at work provides many benefits to employees, including improved productivity, better team bonding, reduced stress, and better output quality. It is also known to prevent employees from getting drained by promoting higher job satisfaction. Randall Munson, an acclaimed corporate educator, a best-selling author, and a certified speaking professional, is a strong believer in laughter having the power to galvanize corporate teams. He founded the Laugh at Work Week to motivate organizations and workers to harness the positive effects of laughter at work.
During the Week, many workplaces organize laughter sessions for their employees and organize programs to inspire them to laugh to their heart’s content. Employees are encouraged to goof around and laugh at seemingly silly jokes and situations. So, while cracking codes or juggling schedules, make a point to laugh — at anything during the week — keeping it clean and decent.
Laugh at Work Week timeline
Randall Munson, the founder of Laugh at Work Week, is awarded the first “Distinguished Speaker” award by SHARE, an organization of U.S. computer professionals.
Research finds that laughing at work is a key to productivity.
Blue-chip corporations across the U.S. recognize the importance of organizing a Laugh at Work Week in their organizations.
Organizations worldwide organize virtual laughter sessions and comedy programs over virtual platforms to celebrate Laugh at Work Week.
Laugh at Work Week FAQs
Is Laugh at Work Week celebrated with World Laughter Day?
World Laughter Day is marked on May 2 every year, while Laugh at Work Week is celebrated annually between April 1 and 7.
How long has Laugh at Work Week been celebrated?
There is no reference or record of the first time this week was celebrated.
What happens to your body when you laugh?
When you laugh, it enhances your intake of “oxygen-rich air,” causing the release of endorphins.
Laugh at Work Week Activities
Screen funny movies at your workplace
Mornings set the tone for the entire day so screen a funny movie at the cafeteria or entrance lobby. When people start the day laughing, they will remember to enjoy the funny things around them.
Hold laughing sessions after lunch
Organize laughter walks or simply sessions where workers recall the funniest episode of their life. The guffaws amid the belches will genuinely leave your colleagues in splits and eliminate the dull laziness of post-lunch working hours.
Organize a funny caption contest
Click some candid pics of colleagues and pin them on the notice board, float them on the intranet, and invite colleagues to provide funny captions. The prizes for the funniest caption could include tickets to the latest stand-up comedy show in town or the just-released comedy flick.
5 Top Comedians Worldwide
Eddie Murphy
A regular member of “Saturday Night Live” during the early part of the 1980s, he became a leading star in Hollywood comedy movies, such as “The Nutty Professor” and “Coming To America”.
Redd Foxx
His raunchy nightclub stand-up shows were popular in the 50s and 60s.
Jerry Seinfeld
He has been slotted at number 12 in the list of “Greatest Stand-up Comedians of All Time”.
Robin Williams
A master of impersonation and mimicry, he succeeded as a stand-up artist and an actor on television and in Hollywood.
Kevin Hart
He has been an integral part of American pop culture over the last decade and more with his stand-up comedy shows.
Why We Love Laugh at Work Week
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter triggers the release of the happy chemical — endorphins, in our body. It improves cardiac health, lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity, exercises the abdominal muscles, and reduces stress by signaling our brain to produce less cortisol.
A team that laughs together achieves more
Laughter and humor bond the team and leads to more meaningful professional relationships. The output of teams improves manifold when they can have fun together.
Do we need a reason?
Why do we require a reason to laugh? When laughing has so many benefits and is non-taxable in the hands of the person laughing, why not just laugh for no good reason!
Laugh at Work Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | April 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 1 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 1 | Thursday |
| 2028 | April 1 | Saturday |
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