Yet times are changing and more businesses have begun to realize that a joke here or a little laugh there can go a long way toward improving morale. A survey earlier this year by management-consultant firm William M. Mercer of 286 employers found that 29 percent encourage humor at work and 8 percent actually have a stated policy encouraging fun in the workplace. Companies contend that play and pranks on the job help boost moral and productivity, reduce stress and absenteeism, and even increase retention. When employees are happy, they provide better customer service. We expect employees to do a lot in these days of corporate downsizing.
Employees seem to agree.
At a recent Bank of America conference here in Los Angeles, Weinstein had some 1,200 employees letting loose. The entire ballroom of workers quickly jumped to their feet and applauded for their co-worker. Most here agreed that humor should have a place in the office. You get so busy that you forget to appreciate everyone around you. Still, some argue that playing at work is not all it's cracked up to be.