
How Generational Emoji Use Creates Communication Confusion At Work
If you use emojis at work, you might want to rethink how they're coming across. You might use the clapping emoji to say 'nicely done' or the thumbs-up emoji to show approval, but younger professionals often see them differently. That means your message might not land the way you intended. Just like the word 'cool' is no longer considered cool, emoji meanings keep changing. The thumbs-up symbol was one of the first to draw attention for being misinterpreted, and it's still raising questions. When you add symbols to make a message feel warmer or more expressive, and they get misread, it can lead to confusion or mixed signals.
Why The Thumbs-Up Emoji Became A Workplace Issue
Why The Thumbs-Up Emoji Became A Workplace Issue
The thumbs-up emoji gained widespread criticism in 2022, particularly across Reddit and TikTok, where younger users shared examples of how it made them feel dismissed or shut down. What someone meant as, 'All set,' was interpreted as, 'I don't want to deal with this.' A Perspectus Global survey found that a majority of respondents between the ages of 16 and 29 believed you were 'officially old' if you used a thumbs-up or red heart emoji. Nearly one in four Gen Z professionals viewed the thumbs-up as rude or hostile. As emojis continue to carry emotional weight in workplace communication, it becomes more important to understand how those symbols are being received.
What Are The Most Commonly Misread Emojis At Work
What Are The Most Commonly Misread Emojis At Work
The clapping emoji is one I've used regularly to mean congratulations or well done. But Gen Z often uses it not as a show of support, but as sarcastic emphasis.
The smiling face emoji is another that splits the generations. I have used them in my messages to students to ensure they know my tone was intended to be friendly. For younger workers, it can see it as forced, disingenuous, or even condescending. If someone sends critical feedback followed by a smiley face, Gen Z might read it as passive-aggressive rather than thoughtful.
The skull emoji is also interesting. Traditionally, it represented death, danger, or horror. Gen Z now uses it to mean they are 'dead' from laughing. It is humor, not morbidity. In a group chat, it might be the equivalent of someone crying with laughter. But if a manager sees it and interprets it literally, that difference can lead to confusion or concern.
The OK hand sign has evolved as well. While older generations use it to say 'all good' or 'that works,' younger users sometimes interpret it as dismissive or meaningless. In some online circles, it has even taken on other unintended meanings. Even when used with good intentions, it may no longer read that way.
The loudly crying face emoji, the one with a stream of tears flowing, used to be a symbol of deep sadness or grief. In recent years, it has become a favorite for showing extreme emotional responses, including laughter. It is often used dramatically, with exaggerated humor. That difference between serious emotion and playful sarcasm can create major misunderstandings in workplace chats.
Why Emoji Use Creates A Bigger Problem Than Just Confusion
Why Emoji Use Creates A Bigger Problem Than Just Confusion
Most employees are not trying to offend anyone. But, when people misinterpret the tone, they begin to question the intent.
The problem is the lack of shared understanding. When one person thinks a message says, 'You did great,' and the other thinks it says, 'I'm annoyed with you,' that is a breakdown in communication.
Leaders need to recognize this. Just as they would teach team members how to write professional emails, they should also be talking about tone in digital platforms. Tools like Slack, Teams, or group messaging apps have made emoji use even more popular. That's why it matters even more to address the gap.
What You Can Do To Prevent Emoji Issues On Your Team
What You Can Do To Prevent Emoji Issues On Your Team
Start by creating a space for discussion. Ask your team how they interpret certain emojis. You may be surprised how differently people feel about symbols you thought were universal.
Model clear communication. If you use emojis, pair them with wording that makes your meaning unmistakable. A thumbs-up alone might read as abrupt. Saying 'Thanks again for handling that' provides tone. If you want to use a clapping emoji, explain what you're celebrating. That extra sentence makes a difference.
Train managers to pause before they hit send. Communication in a multigenerational workplace requires more awareness than it used to. That includes not just what you say, but how you visually deliver it.
You Don't Have To Change Your Language Or Emoji Use
You Don't Have To Change Your Language Or Emoji Use
You don't have to use the same language Gen Z uses to understand what they mean. Let's say someone just finished a big project, and instead of saying, 'Nice work,' I said, 'That redesign was gas. Straight fire. You get a big W for that one. No cap.' I would sound like Phil Dunphy from Modern Family. It's okay to laugh at that. It's also okay to just say, 'Great job on that redesign. Nicely done.' You don't have to talk like someone younger to connect with them. You just need to stay curious about how your tone might land.
Curiosity About Emojis Strengthens Communication
Curiosity About Emojis Strengthens Communication
The way we communicate will keep shifting. Emojis change, tone evolves, and what sounds natural today might feel outdated tomorrow. You do not have to mirror every trend, but paying attention helps. Curiosity about how others express themselves makes conversations clearer and more respectful. When you stay open to how people prefer to connect, you create fewer misunderstandings and build stronger working relationships.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Surrogate grandmother becomes part of California family
Some of the most influential relationships in life are those between grandparents and grandchildren. Nearly 70 million people in the U.S. are grandparents and about 70 percent of Americans say those bonds are important, according to YouGov. But distance, busy schedules, strained relationships, and adults choosing not to have children have left many families without them. Increasingly, some are turning to unconventional solutions. Anteres Anderson Turner and Louis Turner, who are raising twin boys — Cayden and Cameron — in Southern California, realized two years ago that something was missing from their family. "We were talking about the village, the village that, you know, we had growing up, the grandparents would like come and like hang out or just impart their wisdom," said Anderson Turner. Cayden and Cameron's paternal grandparents live across the country. Anderson Turner's father died during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her mother is not actively involved. "I was like, 'My God, I wish there was like a way to just like adopt somebody,'" she said. "I'm like, can you just go trolling, like nursing homes and say, 'Hey, like, does anybody need like a grandchild?'" Instead, the family searched online and found Surrogate Grandparents USA, a Facebook group with about 12,000 members. Less than 100 miles north, Janet Firestein Daw was looking for the same thing — grandchildren. When she heard about the Facebook group, she immediately saw its potential. "I thought it was great. I thought it was amazing because it was going to fill a need that I actually have," Firestein Daw said. Firestein Daw has five kids, but she says they made it "pretty clear" that they weren't planning to give her grandchildren. "I was getting older and I wanted to get down on the floor and play Legos and trains and read books," she explained. While scrolling through the Surrogate Grandparents USA Facebook page, Firestein Daw came across the Turner family's photo. She reached out to the family to see if they'd be interested in talking. Firestein Daw says they "connected immediately," and planned their first meeting at a public park. "The moment that [the kids] met her, they gave her a big hug and it was like, okay," Anderson Turner said. That was two years ago. Today, Firestein Daw, affectionately called "Nana J," is fully part of the Turner family. When asked about their favorite things about Nana J, the boys said they enjoy how she plays with them, makes pretend movies, has fun, and treats them with kindness. Anderson Turner said the relationship has been a relief. "It's been like, oh, wait has been lifted off my shoulders. She's been on trips with us, we've celebrated Hanukkah, she's gone to the library with us, so many things that I desperately wanted for my kids and we get that with Janet," said Anderson Turner. Firestein Daw said the boys filled a lifelong void. "It's indescribable for me, because I haven't had that experience to be that grandparent. I love it," she said. After the first year with her surrogate grandsons, Firestein Daw's youngest child surprised her with news: She was going to have a baby. Her granddaughter was born in March. But her love for Cameron and Cayden has not changed. "It hasn't changed anything. Doesn't change anything for me, those boys are mine," she said. For the Turners, the relationship has brought a sense of completion. "It's like closing a loop," Anderson Turner said. "And by adding her in it's like, we feel complete." The Surrogate Grandparents USA group continues to grow, with founder Donna Skora saying she is amazed at how many unconventional families have formed through it. She adds that it is always up to the parent's discretion and safety should always be followed when meeting up with someone online. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan on the Trump-Putin summit, sanctions and more Justice Department set to begin sharing Epstein files with Congress How Texas House Democrats are shifting focus on redistricting battle against Republicans Solve the daily Crossword


CBS News
30 minutes ago
- CBS News
Surrogate grandmother becomes part of California family: "Those boys are mine"
Some of the most influential relationships in life are those between grandparents and grandchildren. Nearly 70 million people in the U.S. are grandparents and about 70 percent of Americans say those bonds are important, according to YouGov. But distance, busy schedules, strained relationships, and adults choosing not to have children have left many families without them. Increasingly, some are turning to unconventional solutions. Anteres Anderson Turner and Louis Turner, who are raising twin boys — Cayden and Cameron — in Southern California, realized two years ago that something was missing from their family. "We were talking about the village, the village that, you know, we had growing up, the grandparents would like come and like hang out or just impart their wisdom," said Anderson Turner. Cayden and Cameron's paternal grandparents live across the country. Anderson Turner's father died during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her mother is not actively involved. "I was like, 'My God, I wish there was like a way to just like adopt somebody,'" she said. "I'm like, can you just go trolling, like nursing homes and say, 'Hey, like, does anybody need like a grandchild?'" Instead, the family searched online and found Surrogate Grandparents USA, a Facebook group with about 12,000 members. Less than 100 miles north, Janet Firestein Daw was looking for the same thing — grandchildren. When she heard about the Facebook group, she immediately saw its potential. "I thought it was great. I thought it was amazing because it was going to fill a need that I actually have," Firestein Daw said. Firestein Daw has five kids, but she says they made it "pretty clear" that they weren't planning to give her grandchildren. "I was getting older and I wanted to get down on the floor and play Legos and trains and read books," she explained. While scrolling through the Surrogate Grandparents USA Facebook page, Firestein Daw came across the Turner family's photo. She reached out to the family to see if they'd be interested in talking. Firestein Daw says they "connected immediately," and planned their first meeting at a public park. "The moment that [the kids] met her, they gave her a big hug and it was like, okay," Anderson Turner said. That was two years ago. Today, Firestein Daw, affectionately called "Nana J," is fully part of the Turner family. When asked about their favorite things about Nana J, the boys said they enjoy how she plays with them, makes pretend movies, has fun, and treats them with kindness. Anderson Turner said the relationship has been a relief. "It's been like, oh, wait has been lifted off my shoulders. She's been on trips with us, we've celebrated Hanukkah, she's gone to the library with us, so many things that I desperately wanted for my kids and we get that with Janet," said Anderson Turner. Firestein Daw said the boys filled a lifelong void. "It's indescribable for me, because I haven't had that experience to be that grandparent. I love it," she said. After the first year with her surrogate grandsons, Firestein Daw's youngest child surprised her with news: She was going to have a baby. Her granddaughter was born in March. But her love for Cameron and Cayden has not changed. "It hasn't changed anything. Doesn't change anything for me, those boys are mine," she said. For the Turners, the relationship has brought a sense of completion. "It's like closing a loop," Anderson Turner said. "And by adding her in it's like, we feel complete." The Surrogate Grandparents USA group continues to grow, with founder Donna Skora saying she is amazed at how many unconventional families have formed through it. She adds that it is always up to the parent's discretion and safety should always be followed when meeting up with someone online.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
To the Mom With a Teen Who Just Doesn't Seem to Care
I watched my son walk to my car last Friday after school. I love picking him up; there's something about seeing him with his friends and the visceral relief you see in their smiles. It's nostalgic since I remember feeling the same way, but I love watching him and seeing him in a space different than the one he's in when he's with me and when he doesn't think I'm paying attention. My son doesn't care how he dresses and his room is a mess As he gets closer, I notice something smeared all over his white T-shirt. I have no idea what it is, but I'm sure he doesn't care. He slept at his father's last night, and as I ask him what's all over his shirt, his brother and sister chime in. 'He went to school like that,' they tell me simultaneously. Of course, I could say something to his dad about it and fault him for letting his son arrive at school in such a state, but I don't. I know how their morning went well because I've had many confrontations with him about his clothing if he's taken a shower or done his homework on time, and he doesn't care. Not even a little bit. It doesn't bother him if he walks into school with stained clothing, an oversized whitehead on his nose, or the same pants he's worn the last three days in a row. I don't understand it, and we had many throwdowns about this and other subjects at a very early hour. He keeps his room looking like a nightmare, and when I tell him to clean it up, it consists of him bringing down a sink full of dirty dishes and throwing everything else under the bed. He doesn't try hard in school He doesn't try hard in school despite being an intelligent kid who is excellent in math and science. At 15, I can't read his penmanship, and he doesn't put any effort into projects — he doesn't care. I've tried; I've taken him to counseling; I've loved him hard, and I've backed off. And then… There have been moments I've screamed at him, trying to get across how much I want him to care, how much I want him to live up to his potential, but it doesn't help. Nothing does. If your teen doesn't seem to care, you're not alone I'm telling you this because I want you to know that you aren't alone if you have a teen who doesn't give a flip about many things. I know so many teenagers out there are thriving and thinking about college and how many goals they will score in tonight's game, and then there's your kid. They are good and kind and can be sweet, and, of course, you love them — it's guttural and huge. But you wish they would care. You wish they'd shower more and not treat their room like a junkyard. You wish they would live up to their potential in school and play ball because they have skills they are hiding. You've tried it all, and nothing you do works, and it brings you to tears. You wonder if it's something you've done, if you've pushed too hard or not enough. But I have to tell you; it is not just your child. So many moms are feeling this way despite what they post on social media or what they see on the field. Those are snippets from a highlight reel; it's certainly not the whole story. I know my son has gifts; he's found a few but not all of them. I know he will in time; he's not ready yet, and I've realized I can't squeeze them out of him. I'm not giving up on him I'm not giving up; I've committed myself that I'd let him be because what I'm doing now, what his father is doing now, isn't working. We are both baffled; we both did well in high school and couldn't wait to go to college. Honestly, I wouldn't have been caught dead walking around high school in a stained shirt, and if my room looked like his, I'd cry. We raised him to be a good kid and a good adult; you have raised your kid to be a good human, too. I know you have. That doesn't stop because all our efforts are being blatantly ignored, but maybe we can give ourselves a damn break and realize we can't force them to care about things they don't. We want it to happen organically, of course, and I don't think it's going to if I keep shoving cleanliness, organization, working harder in school, and acne pads down his throat. My son is lovely. He doesn't skip school; he gets his work done by the skin of his teeth, and he takes care of me when I get sick since his father moved out. But he doesn't want to play sports; he couldn't care less if he was wearing clean clothes or has deodorant on or if all his friends are in the National Honor Society, and he could be too if he tried just a bit more. He lacks desire and motivation. My son doesn't care about many things right now, and if your child doesn't either, let's try and remember (together because I need support here) there are worse things. As his mom, I've worried other people will notice his nonchalant attitude and think it means I haven't shown up for him. Maybe you're worried about that too. Perhaps you are worried about it at this very moment. But mother to mother, let's let go of that thought and the fact they could be doing so much more with their life right now despite our support and our nagging and focus on the positive things they bring to the table because there are many. Please know, though, you aren't alone; your child is not alone, and I feel they will be just fine. The writer wishes to remain anonymous. More Great Reads Mom and Dad, Please Stick With Me SaveSave SaveSave The post To the Mom With a Teen Who Just Doesn't Seem to Care appeared first on Grown and Flown. Solve the daily Crossword