This Is How People Who Use Emojis at Work Are Perceived

"The study found that 'no emojis' was the clear winner, with participants rating the sender's competence and message appropriateness higher without emojis than with them."

"Positive emojis enhanced perceptions of competence when paired with positive or neutral messages, but only when compared to negative emojis, which were always seen as inappropriate."

"Interestingly, women judged emojis sent by other women as less appropriate than those sent by men, reflecting gendered expectations of emotional expression in the workplace."

"The study's limitations include the simulated nature of instant messages, which may not capture the full nuances of real workplace communication."

Emojis have become prevalent in workplace communication, particularly with the rise of remote work. A study from the University of Ottawa found that messages without emojis were rated higher in competence and appropriateness. Positive emojis improved perceptions only when paired with positive or neutral messages, while negative emojis consistently lowered competence ratings. Gender dynamics were also noted, as women judged emojis from other women as less appropriate. Limitations of the study include the simulated nature of the instant messages, which may not reflect real workplace nuances.

Read at Nautil