New Rules for Laughing at Work and Joking Safely with Your Boss

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Monster.

Laughter is alive and well. But according to new research from Monster, it’s also being treated with caution.

In the Workplace Laughter Report, a national survey of more than 1,000 US employers, the majority of employees say they laugh regularly at work. At the same time, many are reviewing when and how they show humor, especially around senior leaders.

The takeaway for job seekers and employees alike is clear: Humor can build rapport and relieve stress, but it also risks reputation. Navigating that balance is becoming a modern workplace skill.

Key Findings from the Monster Workplace Laughter Report

• 76% of employees are less likely to make fun of senior management
• 77% laugh at least three times during a typical workday
• 30% say their workplace has become more stressful in the past year
• 95% say that laughing helps them feel more connected to their colleagues
• 69% hold back humor at least sometimes to avoid appearing professional or honest
• 57% admit that they are laughed at jokes they did not find funny

Workplaces Are Still Laughing

Despite headlines about burnout and increasing stress, most workers don’t sit still all day.

• 39% laugh three to five times during a typical workday
• 18% laugh six to ten times
• 21% laugh more than ten times
• 3% do not laugh at work

Almost all employees agree that laughter serves a purpose. Ninety-six percent say it reduces stress, and 95% say it helps them feel more connected to their colleagues.

Humor is always one of the fastest ways to build rapport, especially in group settings where trust and cooperation are important.

But the tone is getting stronger

Even though they laugh all the time, 30% of workers say their workplace has become more stressful in the past year. Another 52% said the tone felt the same. Only 16% say it has become more relaxed and humorous.

And context changes everything.

Three out of four employees, 76%, say they rarely make jokes or jokes when senior management is present. The level of comfort varies significantly depending on the audience:

• 96% feel comfortable having jokes with close friends in the group
• 70% feel comfortable in the presence of senior leadership
• 69% feel comfortable in large or diverse meetings

This change creates what can be called a “laughter gap.” Jokes flow freely between peers but intensify as hierarchy enters the picture.

For professionals, especially those just starting their careers, this can create uncertainty. Do you have to show personality to stand out? Or stay neutral to protect credibility?

Technology vs. Personality

More than half of employees, 51%, say humor is encouraged at work. Another 42% said it is allowed but there are clear limits.

However, almost 7 out of 10, 69%, admit that they sometimes refrain from joking because they worry that it might make them appear unprofessional or dishonest.

This tension speaks to the great challenge of the work. Employees want to be authentic and talkative, but they also want to be taken seriously.

It is interesting that the laughter of the game is common. 57 percent of employees said they laughed at a joke they didn’t find funny. That suggests that humor is not just about communication. It can also be about social navigation.

Where Humor Happens Most

Workers believe that laughter is often seen in low places. Here’s where it happens:

• 66% happened in one-on-one conversations
• 52% during break or lunch
• 43% informal sessions
• 28% group meetings
• 26% Slack or chat messages

Employees often associate laughter in the workplace with people who contribute. Managers are often referred to as the source of humor.

When the humor disappears, the staff takes notice. More than half, 52%, interpret the absence of laughter as a sign of severe stress or burnout. Others see it as fear of saying the wrong thing, tight deadlines, or pressure from leadership.

In other words, laughter is more than an emotional stimulus. It is a cultural symbol.

What are the Limits?

Employees draw clear boundaries on certain topics.

• 52% say that politics is closed
• 36% say leadership or managers
• 31% said customers or clients
• 22% say company culture
• 15% say too much work or burnout
• 17% say nothing feels restricted

In diverse and high-pressure situations, employees realize how quickly a joke can be interpreted.

For job seekers, this is important. During interviews or first days at work, reading the room is important. Pay attention to how leaders communicate. Look at how the groups work together. Notice what makes you laugh and what makes you silent.

Navigating Humor at Work

So how should professionals deal with humor in a workplace that continues to laugh, but with great caution?

• Read the admin section. The evidence is clear that the presence of leadership changes the room. If senior leaders are present, keep the humor light, inclusive, and non-controversial.
• Focus on shared experiences. Self-deprecating jokes about everyday work challenges are generally safer than jokes about politics, leadership, or customers.
• Watch for cultural references. If humor usually occurs in informal conversations or personal settings, follow that lead. Not every meeting needs a punchline.
• Protect your credibility. If you’re in a new role or aiming for a promotion, balance personality with professionalism. You can be warm and approachable without being annoying.
• Notice when the laughter ends. A sudden drop in humor may indicate stress or burnout in your team. That’s a check-in, not a joke.

Workplace Humor is Evolving

Employees know that laughter reduces stress and strengthens communication, but they also carefully manage when, where, and with whom they share.

For professionals, the ability to balance authenticity and awareness may be one of the most underrated job skills today.

Laughter can build trust. It can also feel dangerous. The key is knowing your audience and using humor in a way that supports, rather than undermines, your goals.

How to do it

The survey was conducted by Pollfish on February 2, 2026, among more than 1,000 currently employed US workers.

Respondents answered a series of multiple-choice questions that explored workplace culture and interpersonal dynamics, with a particular focus on how humor and laughter appear in the workplace and how it affects communication and interaction.

The sample included representation across generations: 18% Gen Z (born 1997-2009), 28% Millennials/Gen Y (born 1981-1996), 28% Gen X (born 1965-1980), and 26% Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964). Respondents identified their gender as 48% female, 52% male.