Laughter: It is a serious business

One of our values is ‘Passion – enjoy what we do, inspire others, be proud.’ – we’re firm believers that if you enjoy what you do, fun and laughter will follow. Of course, this does not mean we spend all day giggling, but it does mean that we inject fun and laughter into the workplace when appropriate. This could be through a team building exercise or some light-hearted conversations during the day.

Friendly conversation can keep spirits up during the working day and is a key factor in keeping morale high. Working in the recruitment industry is tough as you deal with constant rejection, long hours, and some stressful situations. One of the hardest aspects of our job is receiving hostility from potential candidates who have preconceived ideas about how we operate; views sadly established from their experiences with rogue recruiters.

Exposure to this kind of behaviour is one of the reasons why recruiters are highly rewarded financially, but a paycheque alone is not enough to mitigate the effects of stress or the impact on wellbeing. That is one of the reasons I’m incredibly proud of the culture my colleagues and I have built. We work hard as a team and take pride in what we do, whilst also appreciating how to have fun.

Here are some insights into why laugher is serious business:

The science of silliness

Studies have shown that laughter has a range of benefits such as improving circulation, lifting your mood, and boosting your immune system. The effects of a good laugh can lift our spirits immediately. So why, when we talk about wellbeing at work, is it so often overlooked?

As the Covid pandemic highlighted issues such as isolation, loneliness, and workplace burnout, more companies are becoming aware of their responsibility to their employees’ wellbeing. The trend towards taking constructive steps to support people’s mental health is a welcome improvement. However, many proposals appear to focus on providing the necessary support only once an individual is struggling. A favoured approach would be to create positive working environments with less stress and more joy to counteract this effect.

In addition to more ‘traditional’ wellbeing programmes, at Stroud Resourcing we have created a culture where there is an opportunity for friendly conversation. We always start the week by relaying tales of our weekend, and we have pet dogs in the office who inject their playful personalities into the team. We take turns in hosting a weekly ‘Well or Wicked Wednesday’ edible treat and hold a monthly team building activity. We also make a point of celebrating success - there is always something to smile about in our office!

Fostering fun

You cannot force fun by simply injecting a ‘laughter policy’ into the workplace. It is more about creating an environment that values a good sense of humour. Respectfully, we do not make others feel uncomfortable in laughing at their expense. However, we do believe it is important not to take yourself too seriously, and we can always rely on each other to bring some welcome cheer.

We aim for a relaxed and convivial atmosphere in our office, one where people feel comfortable and unreserved. Working in recruitment every day is different, you never know what is going to happen but when it comes to office life, laughter is serious business.

For further guidance on enhancing your workplace, visit Fertility Talent to learn more.