Unit 4 conclusion

Humour in the workplace can do many things, including fostering community and relieving stress, but it can also reinforce hierarchies and contribute to bullying. The humour that is experienced can vary depending on the context and different identities, such as gender, race, class and socioeconomic status. This session has shown how these variations are not random – workplace humour operates as more than simple entertainment. It’s a complex social mechanism that both reflects and reinforces existing power structures.

The evidence shows that factors like gender, race and age, together with existing organisational hierarchies can significantly influence both how humour is deployed and how it can be received. Online environments amplify these dynamics in ways we are only beginning to understand, creating new challenges for reading social cues and responding appropriately.

Rather than viewing humour as inherently positive or negative, the research we have looked at throughout this unit suggests we should recognise it as a powerful workplace force that deserves thoughtful attention. Understanding these dynamics allows us to be more aware of the power dynamics in the workplace, be it as an observer, the joker or as the target of the joke.

Unit 4 practice quiz

Now have a go at the Unit 4 practice quiz [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]   – you can attempt the quiz as many times as you like.

After you have completed the Unit 4 quiz, move onto Unit 5  Could this meeting be an email?