Messaging Co-workers with Emojis
Hey monkeys,
What do you guys think about using emojis (smiley face, thumbs up, etc.) at work with co-workers and bosses? I know it's unprofessional, but do you guys think it's acceptable and does it make you see people differently (more friendly, or maybe even less competent)? I read an article from Forbes which cited some studies that ultimately concluded that
Smiley faces in texts or emails may not help you seem warmer but may make you seem less competent.
Any thoughts or comments on this? Do you guys think that it is acceptable to use emojis in professional communication? Do you guys do it?
Thanks for reading.
I personally don't use it. No judgment if others use it.
I think the classic :) is acceptable in informal situations when I know the person well.
Actual emojis haven't made their way into Outlook, right, just Skype? Whether in or outside the office, I pretty much only send emojis to women.
Yeah agreed. a simple :) or 8=====D~~~~ is fine
I wouldn't use them with someone you don't know all that well. Once you are acquainted keep them sparse and nothing to crazy.
Depends on where you work. If you're in a BB or a MF PE, don't. If you're in a FinTech start up, why not?
depends where your grey poupon level at
Spot on.
I would only consider using them with people I know well and only peers and/or females, never superiors.
Managing Partners at my firm are younger guys, and use them relatively often. Personally, I don't but thats because I'm at the bottom of the totem poll and want to appear as professional as possible. No risk for them, semi-small risk for me, but nothing to gain.
My 2 cents: don't use them with senior guys, but it's probably not an issue with people you're close with and in a similar position (e.g. analyst using them with another analyst).
This is one of those things that you'll see other's do but I would never personally partake in unless I'm friends with the person outside the office and they're the same level as me. Even then, I'd restrict to instant messaging services and never put in an email. The one exception might be something as mundane as a thumbs up to my direct supervisor in an instant message to confirm receipt of a message.
When using them with higher ups, some might not care, some might enjoy them, and some will definitely look down on you. It's just not worth impacting your career over when they're not necessary. It's kind of like being the most casually dressed. Someones got to be that guy or gal, but its not going to be me. That person might not see it impact there career, but I'd hate to take a risk that someone holds a negative perception. Because they sure as hell won't let on if they think its unprofessional.
A rule of thumb for me is - if I wouldn't take this tone or write a message in a certain way with an external client, I also wouldn't document such a thing to an internal client. Bear in mind that you NEVER KNOW who your message might be forwarded to in normal conversation. Imagine flipping a deck to a colleague with a smily face that ends up going to your MD or higher without you anticipating it. You better believe some 50 year old is chuckling at your expense in that case. And it can create an unintended and false impression that if you're that casual internally than you might be a risk of acting too casually externally.
When using with subordinates, it creates a false impression that such behavior is always OK and can undermine a supervisory relationship. You want your support to respect you, not view you as their friend. It's one thing to be the supervisor/manager that people like to grab a drink with after work and another for them to totally let their guard down in the office.
To be fair, I tend to be on the more conservative end on these forums for such things.
Agreed. +1 SB!
This is a professional work environment. You'd have to bear in mind the potentials who might get the emails/messages when using the emojis.
Better safe then sorry right?
This is entirely appropriate if you're a cute 20-something Asian girl. Otherwise I'd avoid it :D.
Ew no. No qualifiers to this, just no. You're a professional.
I don't understand this question. Men don't use emojis.
Never hit up a hunnie with the eggplant?
Words are always more effective if you know how to use them
Emoticons (Originally Posted: 11/20/2012)
I was wondering if it was acceptable to use emoticons when sending networking and thank you emails.
No
Definitely no...
hahahaha
I sometimes use exclamation points. The only other ones I would use have been noted above.
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