Policy on Humor

 

To: All Employees

From: The Ad Hoc Committee on Workplace Levity and Niceness

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Policy on Humor

Due to an escalation in the incidence of  "humor" initiated by employees in recent weeks, and a subsequent rise in the number of complaints indicating offense at said “humor,” the Humor Subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Committee on Workplace Levity and Niceness, has issued the following:

Guidelines for Workplace Humor

A. All humor must be clearly labeled: "Caution! The following material is supposed to be funny."

B.  The specific type of humor must be clearly labeled as ironic, droll, wry, physical, offensive, lighthearted, satirical, tasteless, intellectual, or other (specify).

 

C. Offensive humor must be preceded by a clear warning that clearly designates the person(s) or group(s) likely to be offended.  (For example: "This humor is likely to be offensive to blonde females of European ancestry who identify themselves as Californians.")

 

D. The intended audience for the humor must be indicated by characteristics such as gender, racial and ethnic background, political persuasion, educational level, and socio-economic status.  (For example: "This humor is intended for males who have not progressed intellectually or spiritually since their sophomore year in high school.")

 

E. Information should be readily available from the originator of the humor, which explains the humorous aspects of the material and contains appropriate apologies to the person(s) or group(s) mentioned under rule C and a blanket apology to anyone who might have been overlooked. (The committee is investigating the possibility of creating a web page for the specific purpose of posting explanations and apologies.)

 

F. Those responsible for the humor should be prepared to certify that no animals were injured or killed in the production of the humor, except yucky ones we don't like or those that taste good.

 

G. In order to reduce the possibility of harm to innocent bystanders of "second-hand humor," public displays of humor shall be restricted to a small, designated area out behind the building.  Standing around being funny at entrances is expressly prohibited.

*SAMPLE*

******************************************************************************************************************

Caution: The following material is intended to be funny!

This humor is whimsical in nature and is intended for general audiences, suitable for children.

The only persons likely to be offended by this humor are persons named Moe and people who don't like old, dumb jokes.

Joe:  "Say, Moe, can you tell me the difference between a mailbox and an elephant?

Moe:  "Why no, Joe, I can't!"

Joe:  "Then I guess I'd better go mail this letter myself!"

Note:  No elephants were injured or abused in the creation of this humor.

******************************************************************************************************************