UK Workers spend 24 working days a year in stitches!
It’s a funny old business UK Workers spend 24 working days a year in stitches
New research today reveals that UK workers spend an average of 45 minutes each day having a good giggle. That’s the equivalent of half a day (3.75 hours) per week and 24 working days each year – 4 days more than the average UK worker’s annual holiday allowance.
The study of 1,000 UK workers was carried out by MSN Video – the online entertainment channel to coincide with the launch of Ed Byrne’s Bytes a series of daily comedy clips aimed at workers looking for some light relief throughout the day.
Girls just wanna have fun
According to the survey, men take their job more seriously than women, with female workers laughing for 51 minutes per day compared to their male colleagues who laugh for just 39 minutes each day. Older workers find less to amuse them at work 55-64 year olds laugh least (38 minutes), compared to 18-24 year olds who giggle for almost an hour each day. The Midlands workforce seems to have the most fun (54 minutes per day), with the least fun to be had in workplaces across the South East (38 minutes per day).
Laughing all the way to the bank
For those seeking enjoyment at work, a career in customer services and hospitality or travel offers the most enjoyment, with workers laughing for over an hour each day (70 minutes and 61 minutes respectively). In fact, two in five people working in customer services admit to being in constant fits of giggles at work, with most amusement derived from poking fun at customers (63%).
The least laughs to be had are in sales and marketing (including PR and advertising), where people laugh, on average, for just 27 minutes per day. Strict bosses and heavy workloads are cited as the main culprits behind the humorously-challenged working environment. Those in finance and accountancy or management consultancy are next (29 and 30 minutes respectively), perpetuating the stereotype that accountants really are a serious lot.
What you laughing at?
Unsurprisingly, most laughter in the office (73%) is the result of banter amongst colleagues, whether they’re swapping gossip or sharing tales of weekend antics. However, almost half of UK workers (45%) enjoy a good chuckle at their customers’ expense, while 42% have a good snigger behind their bosses’ back.
Dissatisfaction guaranteed
It’s not all happy times, however, in some UK workplaces. While many of us are enjoying our daily dose of humour, one in seven UK workers (14%) barely even summon up a smile at work, laughing for less than 5 minutes each day. A further one in ten UK workers (11%) feel guilty when they have a giggle at work.
Over half (53%) of Brits claim to be too busy at work to stop for a laughter break and a third (33%) feel their job is too serious for frivolity. A further one in four (25%) claim that their boss won’t tolerate laughter in the office, while one in five (18%) blame boring colleagues for lack of laughter and a further one in five (18%) are too unhappy in their jobs to find anything to laugh at while at work.
Laughter is the best way to promotion
Revealingly, the research also indicates that bosses who frown on fun at work may be missing a trick. The study shows that the majority of UK workers feel happier (90%), more relaxed (87%), more productive (75%) and better able to concentrate (67%) after a good laugh at work. Only 1 in 5 (20%) get distracted by banter in the workplace.
Irish Comedian Ed Byrne, who is currently working with MSN Video on the comedy project, says: I consider myself lucky as I get to laugh on the job, and I certainly couldn’t stick it out in a serious office. Anyone in need of a good giggle at their desk can log on to MSN Video daily, from 19 February 2 March, and enjoy three minutes of my best stand-up comedy, safe in the knowledge that, if the boss comes along, there’s now a legitimate excuse for taking time out from work.
Ed Byrne’s Bytes – a series of three minute stand up clips – will be exclusively available to view on MSN Video at video.uk.msn.com from Monday 19th February to Friday 2nd March. Catch a new clip every working day for two weeks.
Laughter League Table
And as I’m sure you’re wondering how many minutes of laughter the other job sectors have so here’s a Laughter League Table with all the other results:
- Customer Services / Telecomms = 70 minutes
- Travel / Leisure / Hospitality = 61 minutes
- Construction / Property / Surveying = 49 minutes
- Admin support = 49 minutes
- Social work = 48 minutes
- GP./ Nurse / Pharmacist = 47 minutes
- Public Sector / Government / Charity = 47 minutes
- Teaching = 47 minutes
- Retail = 40 minutes
- Consultancy / legal / insurance = 30 minutes
- Finance / Accountancy = 29 minutes
- PR / advertising / sales and marketing = 27 minutes