Most Inappropriate Emojis at Work, From ‘Peaches’ to ‘Eggplants’
Workplace communication has evolved into a more loose and casual way of speaking that often goes beyond words. Conversations once only meant for social media or chatting with a friend…
Workplace communication has evolved into a more loose and casual way of speaking that often goes beyond words. Conversations once only meant for social media or chatting with a friend have worked their way into professional workspaces.
WordFinder, a subscription-based dictionary service, conducted a survey to find out how emoji impact tone and emotions in professional emails and messages. To get these insights they surveyed over 1,000 employees who work from home (WFH). They explored the nuances of emoji use in their work communications to uncover patterns in their perceptions. Additionally, they examined whether emojis should be reserved for fun or if they hold deeper significance in conveying emotions, clarifying messages, or even shaping workplace relationships.
Are emojis in work communications unprofessional?
The survey revealed that 44 percent of WFH employees think using emojis in work communications is unprofessional. It also found that Gen Zers and millennials are more comfortable using emoji than their older colleagues.
If you’re curious about how often emojis are used at the workplace, the study points out that only 8 percent of people always use them. On the other hand, only 29 percent never use emojis, and 63 percent sometimes use emojis. It’s worth mentioning that 84 percent of those surveyed often use emojis when communicating with peers versus clients (20 percent) and supervisors (39 percent).
According to remote workers, a beer mug is the most inappropriate emoji to use at work. The face with rolling eyes takes the top spot when it comes to the most passive-aggressive emoji. Meanwhile, the most confusing emoji, according to the survey, is the upside-down face.
Looking at gender perspectives, women ranked the eggplant and peach emoji as the most inappropriate choice. However, men considered the beer mug and kiss mark emoji the least suitable for work.
The survey also examines how remote workers handle messaging and their response expectations. Take a look at the complete findings here.
