While we have already shared a SFW emoji guide for adults, a new study has suggested that smiley face emoji and similar emoticons included in work-related e-mails may undermine information sharing.
Researchers at Ben- Gurion University of Negev in Israel have found that contrary to popular belief, smiley emojis do not increase warmth and affect the perception of work competence. It means that the smiley is not an appropriate replacement for smile at work.
Dr. Ella Gilkson asserts, “People tend to assume that a smiley is a virtual smile, but the findings of this study show that in the case of the workplace, at least as far as initial ‘encounters’ are concerned, this is incorrect.”
So ending an email to your colleagues with a smiley may demotivate them to share the necessary information with you. Unfortunately, it is more harmful to boys.
The study also unveils a gender bias perception to using emojis at work. More often than not, when the gender of the email sender is unknown, recipients were more likely to presume that an email which included a smiley icon was sent by a woman.
So you can leave the emoji out at office, as it does not determine your social quotient. If at all, it does undermine your professional image.
P.S. We hope you decoded the cover image? It says ‘Never Send Smiley On A Mail’.
