An Analysis of Individual Reactions to Potentially Offensive Jokes in Work Settings
- 1 April 1988
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Human Relations
- Vol. 41 (4) , 295-304
- https://doi.org/10.1177/001872678804100402
Abstract
Humor is seen as a virtuous personality trait that can be used to release tension, convey organizational roles, and alleviate boredom. What may be perceived as a humorous joke to one person, however, could be considered inappropriate or offensive to another. Thus, joking may impact on civil and human rights litigation and on the quality of work life. To further understand perceptions of humor and joking, 165 subjects were asked to evaluate the appropriateness of three types of jokes in work settings. Whites and females considered racist and sexist jokes more inappropriate than blacks and males. Inexperienced employees considered all joking behavior at work to be less appropriate than experienced employees.Keywords
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