Laugh at Work Week
Laughing promotes connection, ease, and energy. It lifts moods, clears tension, and helps people feel more at home with each other.
Position workplace wellness and team-building solutions as stress-reduction tools during Laugh at Work Week to drive HR and corporate training adoption.
- Share laughter-boosts-productivity stats (10% improvement) to justify wellness program ROI for HR leaders
- Create a 'humor kit' template or tool that companies can customize for their teams
- Feature employee testimonials on how workplace humor improved team dynamics and retention
- Promote laughter yoga or wellness session packages as team-building add-ons
Laugh at Work Week began in 2005 when humor expert Dr. John Morreall first promoted the idea. He believed laughter could reduce stress, boost teamwork, and make the workplace more enjoyable.
Morreall, known for studying the role of humor in communication, encouraged companies to welcome fun into their daily routine. His message was simple—people work better when they feel relaxed and connected.
Later, speaker and author Randall Munson helped bring even more attention to the week. As a corporate trainer, he showed how humor could improve morale, spark fresh ideas, and help employees feel more at ease. His efforts led to a wider embrace of this lighthearted week across different industries.
Originally celebrated in early April, the event caught on fast. Offices began holding joke contests, laughter yoga, and even short comedy sessions.
The goal wasn’t to distract from work—it was to create an environment where people felt good about showing up.
Over time, Laugh at Work Week grew into a regular tradition in many places. It’s now a reminder that shared laughter can make even the busiest day feel a little lighter.
Through small, joyful moments, people build trust and enjoy being part of something bigger.
Kick off with a joke break
Start the day by inviting everyone to share a short, light joke. It sparks smiles early and helps set a playful tone. Laughter lowers stress and boosts productivity by around ten percent after a humorous clip.
Host a caption contest
Place a candid office photo on a board or share it online. Ask teammates to add funny captions. This playful challenge fuels creativity and builds camaraderie.
Try laughter yoga midweek
Gather for a laughter yoga session during lunch or break. This mix of deep breathing and laughter boosts mood, circulation, and lowers cortisol.
Play a silly game
Pick a quick team activity like charades or trivia. These fun breaks help teams work better together and share light moments.
Collect a humor kit
Create a shared folder with funny clips, cartoons, or meme links. Let colleagues dip into it when they need a pick‑me‑up.
Close with a “laugh‑arama”
Gather at the end of the week to recap highlights. Invite everyone to share their favorite funny moment and how it helped lighten their day.