A workplace is like a coin that has two sides. First, it can be your adult playground where you come to the office not for work, but for hanging out with your colleague, gossiping, making instant noodles in the middle of a busy schedule, or window e-shopping together. Or second, your workplace is a kind of stuffy and clumsy place, where there is no space to pitch the humor even as small as a seed of corn. 

Life without a sense of humor is unsavory, and humor can bring employees together and create a more relaxed work environment. But first, we should know the rules of using humor in the workplace.

Find safe topics to joke about

A workplace-appropriate joke must not attack anyone or anything, especially something that can attack you back. Don’t ever tease someone and sarcasm as a weapon for joking. Even if you said, “I’m just joking” afterwards, is not a valid excuse for thinly veiled jabs that insult or pain others.

Avoid dangerous or offensive practical jokes

Putting a "Happy Birthday" whoopee cushion on a co-worker's chair is a harmless prank unless you know he or she would be offended or humiliated. And try to not indulge in potentially dangerous tricks, such as the office manager who was fired after handing her subordinate an "exploding" pen bought from a joke shop.

Spice your speeches with humor 

Even if you don't shine at joke telling, you can slip in a funny anecdote now and then to keep your listeners interested. Remember, humor is humanizing. If you think being boss may have distanced you too much from your people, lightening up even a little can help close the gap. Staff members usually like it when the boss tells a self-deprecating anecdote once in a while.

Collect and share humorous stuff

Clip cartoons and amusing anecdotes and jokes from newspapers and other publications. Write down comments and conversations that make you chuckle. Then share the humor on bulletin boards. Forwarding the occasional humorous email might work, too, but don't overdo it. These tend to get forwarded repeatedly, clogging up "in" boxes and killing hours of work time.

Support the creation of a "Fun Committee" 

This group can organize playful activities that have a specific purpose, such as generating new project ideas, celebrating achievements, or fostering closer ties between managers and subordinates. If necessary, hire people with a sense of humor, but make sure they know when to stop with the jokes and get on with the job.