A guide to using emojis in the workplace

The internet has changed the way we live and work forever. Whereas decades ago it would have been unthinkable to communicate with your co-workers without words, today it’s entirely reasonable to carry out your duties without even being in the same country as your boss. The rules around using emojis, however, can be confusing. So make sure you understand what different emojis mean, and be aware of these dos and don’ts.

Using emojis is no longer seen as unprofessional

Much like having casual conversations about your personal life in the workplace, there’s a time and a place for using emojis. That also means there are some instances where it would be inappropriate to pepper your emails and chats with a bunch of silly emojis. However, on the whole, emoji use is becoming more acceptable at work.

The fact is that emojis are here to stay, and they are some actually view them as a positive inclusion across most workplaces. According to Adobe’s latest Emoji Trend Report 2022, more than two in three respondents (68%) say they enjoy when people use emojis at work, as they can help co-workers quickly share ideas (79%), make team decision-making more efficient (62%) and boost creativity (58%).

So, when should you use emojis at work? That all comes down to what type of workplace you have as well as the type of people you work with. Generally, a workplace with a younger contingent of colleagues may be more comfortable using emojis in everyday office communications, whereas older professionals may see those who use emojis as less competent or genuine.

Chatting with established clients online may also be a good place to include emojis, especially for particular demographics. According to one study, more than half (51%) of those aged 16–73 who already use emojis say they are more likely to engage with a brand’s social media content if they use emojis as well.

Be aware of how the receiver may interpret your emojis

Despite many workers having no problem communicating – and being communicated to – with emojis, it’s important that you are aware that everyone will have a different perspective on whether or not they should be used at work. For example, an older co-worker may find your use of the crying-laugh emoji as offensive, even if you didn’t intend it as such. Conversely, a Gen Z might find someone sending them the thumbs-up emoji as being passive aggressive.

In all things, it’s important to consider your co-workers’ and your customers’ perspectives. Before hitting “SEND” on that emoji-filled message, think about how someone else might interpret it. Sending a co-worker a love heart as a way to say “Great job” for their hard work on a recent project may be misinterpreted as flirting or inappropriate behaviour.

3 ways use emojis correctly in the workplace

1. Be professional: Yes, you can use emojis and still come across as professional. But you need to know where to draw the line and when to use emojis in the right setting. If an introductory message to a potential new client doesn’t really call for the inclusion of a smiling emoji, leave it out!
2. Know your audience: Not everyone loves receiving emojis, and some older co-workers and customers may avoid them entirely. However, a younger demographic might really appreciate you spicing up your communications with fun emojis. Always think before hitting send on any emoji-laden messages – and know your audience!
3. Choose the right platform: Sending emojis to team members on your work’s team chat is completely normal. Using emojis when quoting a customer on a new project? Not so much. When in doubt, less is definitely more.

A fun and engaging way to communicate

Emojis can be a fun and engaging way to communicate with both your co-workers and your clients. However, they shouldn’t be used in every scenario, and there’s always the risk that misinterpretation could lead to unexpected problems. If in doubt, revert back to more formal messaging and save the emojis for another day.

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