This volume by Landram and Vaccaro investigates the use of dark humor among employees of the Office of Children, Youth and Family (CYF), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services. They conducted 35 interviews with CYF employees in both the client intake and client treatment units at geographically dispersed locations. Interview questions included types of gallows humor—e.g., pranks, inside jokes, and memes, among others—and considered differences in how employees in the intake and treatment units used humor. The authors also note employees’ opinions on the effectiveness of humor in managing stressful workplace situations. They collected information on the negative and positive effects of humor and its use in CYF organizational policies. Their book illustrates the uses and importance of humor in enabling employees in high-stress and dangerous occupations to thrive and contribute to organizational effectiveness. Humor has the potential to be a valuable stress reduction tool and to assist in creating a productive work environment. This study is suitable for students and faculty in the social sciences and policymakers working in social service organizations. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

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