Telling someone not to use an eye roll emoji

[WeatherLlama]

It comes across as either fed up or sarcastic or implying I am stupid. And I am their line manager!
For example, last week was the first time for them doing a task. So we wrote <info> down on the daily paperwork to ease them in. This info is accessible and they know where it is. The task is repeated each week and is not dependent on the Info being written down. We do not usually write it down on the daily paperwork. This week, we did not write it down as again, last week was just to ease them in and they know where it is. I got a text message on my day off saying "do you want me to do <task> as <xxx> is not written on the paperwork." Followed by an eye roll emoji.

There was an issue with another task. I asked clarifying questions, as I was not there as it is my day off and whilst my questions are answered, and the issue resolved, the answers are accompanied by an eye roll emoji.

I am autistic and aware I can read things incorrectly so i need to know how to approach this the right way! My own line manager says that my sense of frustration can come across, even though I think I am being polite 🙈

To add, I dont think they ARE saying those things. I think the use of it is different in their age bracket. That's just how it comes across, iyswim. They are an incredibly lovely person!

‘…finally, emojis are not appropriate in work messages.’

My first question would be - do they understand what the eye rolling emoji means? Do they think it means confused or just checking, or something similar?

If they know what it means then I would remind them that such emojis are not appropriate in the workplace and that if they have any questions about your instructions to ask you for clarification and you will respond.

Are your workplace messages generally quite informal? Emojis are unusual for many workplaces.

Umm. Definitely not ok. I think a clear ‘and stop putting eyerolls in your emails, I am not sure you appreciate how rude and unprofessional that is.’

We actually all use emojis. The crying laughter one for example is a used a lot. Or the smile.

are they appropriate?

Is it definitely an eye roll and not something else? They are all very similar!

Yes, quite informal.
I did have to ask why another emoji was used at one point. Not ask them, but asked my line manager and she didnt know either. So I asked my eldest and they explained. It then made sense. This is why i thought it might be a communication issue between generations.

But equally I feel the eye roll emoji is fairly understandable?

Since you all use emojis, I don't think you should mention that part.

I think she was moaning (in emoji) about the writing being missing, but she was obviously wrong to do that as it shouldn't have been there anyway. I'd just explain that and not mention the emoji.

Smiley faces are really common where I work too. I think it depends on the workplace

Yes, when we are talking about something silly one of us said or did. Those types of situations.

This is the one I hate.

Tricky as I wouldn't be sure if they were "eye rolling" at themselves for not knowing in a self deprecating way, or at me for not providing the instruction...I think I am on the spectrum too though, so possibly not a helpful perspective! Either way, I'd probably say something like that in a lighthearted way, followed with a quick chat about emoji's not being appropriate, because they can be misinterpreted.....as just pointed out!

It seems that your working environment is way too informal. How did all this come about? How do more senior management feel about this?

Yes this.

@Hungrycaterpillarsmummy Isn’t this the emoji that OP is talking about? The one with rolling eyes.

I’d be very very surprised if the eye roll is directed at you. I imagine they’re aiming it at themselves in a self-deprecating way and trying lighten the situation. I‘d always assume the best intentions if there’s any doubt.

Had this person been informed of when you consider emojis appropriate? Or which ones you consider appropriate?

I can't imagine a workplace where you're all using emojis but since you are, you'd look like an idiot to take offence and ask them to stop using it.

It's just a little yellow emoji, I'm sure you're professional enough to ignore it?

This is messages between all management levels where they are used.
I am a senior manager and they are a mid level. But all senior and mid use emojis in management group chats and between levels equally. There is also a lot of banter on the management group chat. So yes, quite informal.

Is it?!

I fucking hate it. It's so patronising. BUT I do think it's tricky to know if it's aimed at the receiver or how the sender is feeling.

If you all use emojis then that’s fair enough, I don’t think you’re going to change the culture overnight, but it sounds like she thinks the eye roll means something slightly different rather than cheeky. A quiet word and a reminder to check with you if she’s not sure about something would probably be a start and then if it carries on you can have a A Word.

A culture of informal banter sounds like a nightmare to manage as a new member of staff.

Yes, this is the emoji I mean.

If emojis are commonplace I think you’re on a sticky wicket complaining about this individual’s usage. Anything beyond a smile or a cry could be misinterpreted. Time for a rethink on the boundaries and communication style in your team.

We use teams chat for more informal conversations- emojis mostly laughy faces, smiles and hearts, with the odd 🤦‍♀️thrown in! Emails only used in a more formal context. Can you adopt something similar and kind of spell out the differences and reasons? I think younger people struggle with emails as must feel clunky and old fashioned to them.