Most workplaces could do with a bit more humor. Not only does it best mood and morale, but levity can enhance team performance and even your bottom line. Humor boosts sales and productivity. It makes advertising memorable. Leaders who use humor appear more competent and likeable. It transforms training and chores into something enjoyable, increases employee retention and attracts eager new hires. It flattens hierarchies, enhances collaboration, heightens bonding and encourages people to take positive risks. Humor lowers stress, builds resilience, reduces hostility, deflects criticism, improves morale, creates engagement and helps management communicate difficult messages. Humor essentially costs nothing and provides terrific returns—indeed, a 2011 study by researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that a good laugh activates the same regions of the brain that light up over a fat bonus check. Perhaps best of all, it makes coming into the store or office more enjoyable for everyone. So what’s the punch line? The rather depressing one is that many bosses and workers, especially those in more “professional” settings, think humor is a bad idea … at least in their particular circumstances, at their particular place of work. And that mindset is growing. In both the workplace and society, we are increasingly shying away from levity. According to some studies, we spend about a third as much time laughing as people did in the 1930s. Another study found that 90 percent of corporate emails are completely devoid of humor, not even a chirpy sign-off. What could explain this? There are three main reasons, all of which you can probably guess. First, humor is often viewed as inappropriate for the serious discourse of business, particularly in health and wellness industries. Second, it’s hard for many of us to do comedy well (it can feel like a divinely bestowed gift—you were either the funny kid in school or you weren’t). Third, it’s dangerous. Jokes are about a shared view of the world, an understanding of the same cultural and linguistic touchpoints and, crucially, a willingness to violate the same norms and laugh at the same things. When they bomb, it’s ostracizing. If a quip or story is viewed as offensive, it can damage the teller’s professional standing by making them appear lacking in judgement and intelligence, or worse, possibly even bigoted or sexist. “The violating nature of humor is what makes it risky,” says Maurice Schweitzer, a professor of business at the University of Philadelphia’s Wharton School and the author of several studies on workplace humor. “Jokes that go too far over the line of appropriateness cause an ‘eeeek’ reaction. Rather than thinking that the joke teller is intelligent and competent (as happens when someone lands a good one), observers think, ‘What an idiot!’ Or, ‘I can’t believe he just said that!’” In short, humor is one more wonder drug that can kill you. It’s not unwise to be wary of its power. The argument for avoiding humor because it somehow betrays your professionalism is widespread. But in contrast to the very real risk in telling jokes, that view is built mostly on falsehoods. “The research is clear: Humor can be one of the most powerful tools we have for accomplishing SERIOUS things. Gravity and levity aren’t at odds,” says behavioral scientist Jennifer Aaker, co-author of Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life.