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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU using emoji in email unprofessional?

48 replies

Schoomoji · 30/09/2017 11:10

Had drinks with BFF last night who works in mid-sized consultancy firm, lets call it X,in a big city. She's in junior role and was passed on small task CEO requested from her manager. She completed task and her manager told her to email CEO directly to report on task completed. She sent professional email that started "Dear CEO...XYZ has been completed. Kind regards, BFF".

Other than this email, BFF has never had contact with male CEO, maybe one very brief conversation.

CEO also based in U.K. And emailed back in middle of night "Thank you. This would only happen at X :)".

BFF found it bit odd. Other friend thought just being nice/friendly but probably sent after a drink or 3, but I find it a bit iffy because she said it's very hierarchical where she works and CEO hasn't used it in comms to anyone else on her team. AIBU to advise her to keep an eye out or am I being over wary?

OP posts:

gamerwidow · 30/09/2017 12:12

Fine in this context. I wouldn't expect an emoji in a formal work email but not every work email is formal.

HarrietVane99 · 30/09/2017 12:23

she said she'd caught him looking as he walked past

CEO walking past thinks: "Who's that? Don't think I've seen her before. Oh yes, must be the young woman who started in X department last week. Should I stop and ask her how she's getting on? No, not right now, haven't really got time, and I can't remember her name."

sourpatchkid · 30/09/2017 12:27

Oh god I use smiley faces to more junior staff members all the time as a "hey I'm not scary even if I'm senior". My DH uses them all the time, ALL the time with everyone (he's 50 and essentially a CEO he just loves daft technology)

I think you're overthinking it.

Original poster

Schoomoji · 30/09/2017 13:01

OK I completely got it wrong and stand corrected!

OP posts:

Gorgosparta · 30/09/2017 13:10

Is she picking up on a vibe from him?

Or is she hoping for one? And mentioning these things to you and her collegues to see if you think the same?

She cant possibly know he has never sent one to anyone else on her team. Unless she has made a big deal of it. Or asked everyone. Even then it could have gone unnoticed when others got an emoji.

It feels like she thinks/hopes he finds her attractive and looking for things. And drawing others attention to this. That usually doesnt end well for people like your friend. We have woman at work who does this. She keeps pointing out special treatment she gets from a male manager. Her collegues find her annoying. The directors arent impressed and said male manager has been told to stop using her to do his work. She has been told to do her own job, which is what she is paid for. She also hasnt picked up on the fact that she promises of easy promotions arent appearing, because its not his decision and is just peddled to her to keep her sweet and doing his work. Other managers arent impressed and judge the manager using her.

The fact that he has looked at her means nothing. People look at people. I look at people of the time. I observe all the staff in my office. Especially new or junior staff. Because i want to see how they act when not 'on show'. There isnt anyone i fancy in my office. Even if i did, i wouldnt be hitting on them.

Violetparis · 30/09/2017 13:13

Smiley face fine, an X I would find odd but presume the sender has added it by mistake.

Scribblegirl · 30/09/2017 13:13

I got a 'Thank you ' from a director yesterday who I haven't met (huge organisation) because I picked up something for him on a Friday afternoon when my colleague was out and I could have just left it for her return on Monday.

Really nothing to worry about imo!

Scribblegirl · 30/09/2017 13:14

Agree with gorgosparta

ChasedByBees · 30/09/2017 13:17

I agree, it's fine. Our CEO uses smileys, it's nice.

Delatron · 30/09/2017 13:18

I'd be more worried about the kiss at the end than the emoji?!

ilovesooty · 30/09/2017 13:20

There isn't a kiss on the end. X refers to the name of the company / project I think.

LongWavyHair · 30/09/2017 13:25

I wouldn't mind. I would like the friendly tone and it would make me think the CEO is down to earth and approachable.

Delatron · 30/09/2017 13:31

Ah right! I think it's ok. I often think senior people want to come cross as friendly/approachable and this is one way of doing it.

TheNext · 30/09/2017 13:34

Oh God I scatter smileys around a few times a week. Had no idea that junior staff might find it dodgy or flirt some

TenForward82 · 30/09/2017 13:39

Does she normally think everyone who looks at her fancies her?

Original poster

Schoomoji · 30/09/2017 14:44

Gorgosparta - now you say it, I am really stupid for not picking up on that. She hasn't mentioned to people at work, she is v professional. Will talk to her about that.

OP posts:

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 30/09/2017 14:57

I work for a big company. Making the senior people more visible / approachable is one of their big things at the moment. They are often sent to "walk the floors".

People work harder for people they like.

SnowiestMountain · 30/09/2017 15:02

Totally fine, we use lots of emojis, pictures, jokes etc in our internal email but never ever, ever, to a client!

Gorgosparta · 30/09/2017 15:15

Gorgosparta - now you say it, I am really stupid for not picking up on that. She hasn't mentioned to people at work, she is v professional. Will talk to her about that.

Which bit? The fact that she cant possibly know he doesnt send them to anyone else?

If she hasnt mentioned it to anyone and is making up that she knows he doesnt send them to anyone else, it really does suggest his 'interest' in her is being embellished or made up by her.

Essentially she has noticed him looking at her 3 times and got an emoji. And this is has somehow being told you in a way that makes you concerned he may hit on her. Maybe you are overreacting. But i think its more likely she is embellishing. Is there a possibility she fancies him?

HoldenC · 30/09/2017 15:53

I use smiley faces on emails at work if someone has really helped me out or done a task quickly. I think it's fine.

Bombardier25966 · 30/09/2017 16:01

LadyWire - I agree. I don't think she should action or say anything since she doesn't work with CEO directly. I think using it with female junior staff you don't know can be a bit off.

Whatever would she be actioning in the first place?

I can only imagine HR's reaction to "colleague put smiley in my email"!

useyourimagination · 30/09/2017 17:05

I use them at work for internal emails but never to a customer or supplier, even when I have a good relationship with them.

AllRightNowInFactItsAGas · 30/09/2017 17:12

It's entirely up to the CEO to set the tone of the culture he/she is after at his/her company and I think a friendly attitude is a good and professional attitude to adopt. It is less imposing and indicates they will 'lead' with their knowledge and experience rather than 'boss' with their ego.

I would be very happy with that!

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