Guide to Emoji Meanings and Etiquette at Work

Emojis have evolved from simple smiley faces in texts to a complex language of their own. For years, they’ve served as a way to add tone, humor, and nuance to digital communication. But as workplaces become increasingly multigenerational, the meaning of emojis can shift depending on who’s on the receiving end. 

Enter Gen Z, the first generation to grow up fully immersed in digital culture. Their emoji usage differs significantly from Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers, which can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, and even unintended tension in workplace communication.

Understanding these differences isn’t just about keeping up with trends; it’s about creating clearer, more inclusive communication across all generations. In this guide, we’ll break down how each generation uses emojis, decode Gen Z’s favorites, and offer best practices for navigating emoji culture in the workplace.

Generational Breakdown of Emoji Usage

Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964):

• Emoji Style: Sparse, direct, and traditional. Baby Boomers tend to use emojis to convey literal emotions or affirmations.

• Common Emojis: 👍 (Thumbs Up), 😊 (Smiling Face), ❤️ (Red Heart).

• Generational differences: Boomers may use emojis in ways younger generations find outdated or confusing. For example, Boomers sometimes mistakenly use 😂 (Crying Laughing) as an indicator of sadness rather than humor.

Gen X (born 1965-1980):

• Emoji Style: A mix of old-school and new emoji usage. Gen X embraces emojis but tends to stick to safe, commonly understood symbols.

• Common Emojis: 😂 (Crying Laughing), 😜 (Winking Tongue), 👌 (OK Hand), 👍 (Thumbs Up).

• Generational differences: Gen X sometimes overuses punctuation-heavy emojis like 😜 or 😉 (Wink), which can feel insincere, dated, and sometimes even creepy to younger colleagues.

Millennials (born 1981-1996):

• Emoji Style: Early adopters who brought emojis mainstream. Millennials use them for emphasis, tone, and humor.

• Common Emojis: 😂 (Crying Laughing), 👏 (Clapping Hands), 🔥 (Fire), 💯 (100).

• Risk of Misuse: Emojis like 😂 (Crying Laughing) or 👀(eyes)—two millennial favorites—may feel overused or “uncool” to Gen Z.

Gen Z (born 1997-2012):

• Emoji Style: Ironic, subtle, and layered. Gen Z uses emojis as cultural shorthand, often to express sarcasm, humor, or exaggeration.

• Common Emojis: 🫠 (Melting Face), 💀 (Skull), 😭 (Crying Face), 👀 (Eyes), ✨ (Sparkles), 🧢(Cap).

• Generational differences: Gen Z perceives some popular emojis like 👍 (Thumbs Up) and 🥰 (Smiling face with hearts) as passive-aggressive, while older emojis like 😂 (Crying Laughing) are seen as outdated.

How Emoji Perception Varies Across Generations

The same emoji can carry drastically different meanings depending on who uses it. This creates a potential for miscommunication in the workplace – particularly with Gen Z, who prefer to use emojis ironically. Here are a few examples:

• The Thumbs Up (👍):

  • Baby Boomers/Gen X: Positive affirmation (e.g., “Got it!”).

  • Gen Z: Sarcastic, passive-aggressive, or dismissive.

• Crying Laughing (😂) vs. Skull (💀):

  • Millennials: Use 😂 for humor.

  • Gen Z: 💀is the new humor standard; 😂 feels outdated.

• Winking Face (😉):

  • Gen X/Millennials: Friendly or playful.

  • Gen Z: Can come across as cheesy, insincere, or uncomfortable.

Gen Z Emojis and Their Workplace Meanings

To communicate effectively with Gen Z, understanding their emoji use is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of popular Gen Z emojis and their nuanced meanings:

• 🫠 (Melting Face): Signals being overwhelmed, awkward, or a sense of “I’m hanging in there.” Perfect for describing how one feels during a tough project or awkward meeting.

  • Example: “Just got another deadline moved up 🫠”

• 💀 (Skull): A replacement for 😂 (Crying Laughing). “I’m dead” translates to “That’s hilarious.”

  • Example: “You accidentally sent that to the wrong manager? 💀”

• ✨ (Sparkles): Adds emphasis, irony, or sarcasm to a statement. It’s often used in a tongue-in-cheek way.

  • Example: “Can’t wait to tackle this 100-slide deck today ✨”

• 😭 (Crying Face): While it appears sad, it’s more often used for exaggerated reactions, like laughter or dramatics.

  • Example: “When the Wi-Fi cuts out during your big presentation 😭”

• 🧢 (Cap): Derived from “that’s cap” slang, meaning “lie” or “not true.”

  • Example: “You said you’d finish that in an hour? 🧢”

• 👍 (Thumbs Up): While widely seen as positive by older generations, Gen Z often perceives it as dismissive or passive-aggressive.

  • Example: “Got it 👍” (translation: Fine, whatever.)

• 😐 (Neutral Face): Conveys discomfort, disapproval, or lack of enthusiasm.

  • Example: “You’re asking me to redo the entire report? 😐”

• 🤠(Cowboy): Rarely used by older generations, this emoji is a way to express that you are “smiling through the pain” or “dying inside.”

  • Example: “Just got assigned another urgent project! 🤠”

•  ❤️(Red Heart): Typically used by older generations to show love or affection, Gen Z uses this emoji sarcastically or to let someone down gently.

  • Example: “Hey, can you deliver this by EOD?” “No. ❤️”

Best Practices for Emoji Use in the Workplace

1. Know Your Audience: Adapt your emoji style to match generational preferences and your workplace culture.

2. Avoid Overuse: Emojis should enhance communication, not overwhelm it.

3. Clarify Ambiguity: If you’re unsure whether an emoji could be misinterpreted, use words to clarify your intent.

4. Stay Flexible: Language evolves, and emojis are no exception. Staying open to changing norms helps maintain clear communication.

Final Thoughts

Emojis are more than just fun symbols; they’re an evolving form of language that can foster connection and clarity when used correctly. By understanding generational differences, particularly how Gen Z uses emojis, workplaces can avoid miscommunication and embrace a more inclusive digital culture.

The next time you’re about to hit send on a 👍 or 🫠, consider how it might land across generations. A little awareness goes a long way toward ensuring your message is understood.