Gen Z workers say this emoji is NSFW boomers and millennials disagree

Publish date: 2024-08-23

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Gen Z isn’t peachy keen.

Intraoffice communications have become increasingly informal in the post-pandemic workspace. 

Many 9-to-5ers of all ages, both in-office and remote, have come to rely on messaging platforms like Slack and Google Teams, as well as emails and texts to causally connect with colleagues, executives and clients on work-related matters. 

But when it comes to punctuating one of those professional, albeit unpretentious messages with a cutesy emoji — staffers in their early 20s have deemed one cheeky cartoon as totally NSFW. 

“Gen Z believes that the ‘peach’ emoji is the most inappropriate emoji to use at work,” said lead authors of a December 2023 study by virtual list-generating hub, WordList Finder. 

For the findings, researchers surveyed 1,028 WFH employees — 13% Gen Zers, 55% millennials, 24% Gen Xers and 8% baby boomers — to determine each generation’s views on emoji appropriateness in work communications. 

A December 2023 study from WordList Finder determined that Gen Z finds the “peach” emoji the most offensive icon to use in virtual workspace conversations. Millennials find the “beer mug” emoji the most unprofessional, while Gen X and baby boomer says the “eggplant” emoji and the “middle finger” emoji are the worst, respectively. NYPost Photo Illustration
On virtual platforms, the “peach” emoji is typically used to describe a person’s ample rear rather than a piece of fruit. sudowoodo – stock.adobe.com
WordList Finder determined that Gen Z finds the “peach” emoji the most offensive icon to use in virtual workspace conversations. Krakenimages.com – stock.adobe.com

And although investigators failed to reveal the nexus of the twenty-somethings’ disdain for the juicy icon, which is widely used to depict a bodacious booty in digital dealings, they did note that 44% of all jobholders feel emojis should never be mixed into business chats. 

The discovery supports a March 2022 report from Tel Aviv University, which found that workers who frequently utilize emojis in their emails were seen as less authoritative. 

The risk of losing workplace power notwithstanding, the ever-controversial artworks remain in high-use by folks on-the-clock. 

Studies have found that workers who use emojis in their professional messages are viewed as less “powerful” by their peers. Samuel B. – stock.adobe.com

Working millennials pointed to the “beer mug” emoji as the most distasteful animation to use in corporate communiques, per WordList Finder’s probe — for reasons unknown.

Gen X staffers elected the “eggplant” emoji — often used as a phallic symbol — as the foulest graphic, while boomers crowned the “middle finger” emoji the most egregious. 

Despite varying views on the worst workplace caricature, analysts found that the generations agreed emojis such as the “face with rolling eyes,” and the “unamused face” are inherently passive aggressive, while the “OK hand,” and the “thumbs up” are positive.  

The outcome of the poll comes in stark contrast to an October 2022 push from Gen Z to ban the “thumbs up” emoji due to its discourteous connotations. 

“For younger people, the thumbs-up emoji is used to be really passive-aggressive,” a 24-year-old vented in a viral Reddit post. 

“It’s super rude if someone just sends you a thumbs up,” continued the anonymous groaner. “So I also had a weird time adjusting because my workplace is the same.”

Online debates over emoji appropriateness in the office has previously sparked a viral social media frenzy amongst folks of all ages. Andrii – stock.adobe.com

Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert who’s helmed corporate trainings on emoji use, told The Post that it’s best to nix the colorful little drawings altogether. 

“[Emojis] can be interpreted as disrespectful,” she said. “It can differ from generation to generation.”

“Across the board, people want to know they’ve been heard,” added Swann, “and emojis do not convey that for everybody.” 

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