The Emoji Economy: A Bitrix24 Study on How Emojis Shape the Digital Workplace

Workplace communication has come a long way from formal emails and quick hallway chats. Today, the heartbeat of the modern office is found in digital platforms where employees share not just information, but also emotions — through emojis, reactions, and expressive interactions. Far from being trivial, these subtle cues are shaping workplace culture, influencing collaboration, and even driving productivity. 

This isn't just a fleeting change; emoji trends are now a key topic in the ongoing conversation about professional behavior.

The long-standing debate over whether online etiquette and emojis belong in professional communication has gotten hotter than ever, especially as our work becomes more and more digital. While the line between casual and professional has blurred, the question remains: are emojis a valuable communication tool or a breach of workplace etiquette?

Our latest research dives deep into this hidden layer of digital communication to reveal how different regions engage emotionally, how moods shift across the workweek, and why emojis are becoming the new language of connection at work. The data tells a powerful story: digital workplaces are not only more efficient but also more human, vibrant, and emotionally expressive than ever before.

Where Business Chats Come Alive: Global Reactions by Region

According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report, 72% of employees feel more “seen” and “valued” in workplaces that normalize digital expression tools like emojis, GIFs, and reactions. Our analysis of chat reactions reveals a clear picture of which parts of the world are the most emotionally active in their digital workplaces. 

Curious where business chats are most alive? By analyzing reactions (likes, smiles, kisses, and negative smileys), we pinpoint the regions with the most emotional activity:

• With an impressive 2,587,095 total reactions per month, Brazil tops the list.

• The USA, UK, and Canada follow with 1,784,382 reactions.

• Latin America shows strong engagement with 719,148 reactions.

Poland and Germany round out the top five, with 505,928 and 148,920 reactions, respectively.

Based on our data, a strong cultural component influences how emotions are expressed in professional communication. These findings align with broader research on high-context and low-context cultures, where communication in high-context regions (like Brazil and Latin America) often relies more on non-verbal cues and emotional expression. This contrasts with a more reserved communication style in cultures like Germany, which our data supports.

But how far has this shift in cultural expression gone? It's even changing the definition of what is considered professional.

Emojis and Professionalism: A New Communication Standard

The use of emojis in the workplace is shifting. Instead of being unprofessional, they're becoming a key tool for conveying tone and empathy in digital conversations. 

A 2023 study by Hult International Business School found that while some older workers may see emojis as casual, younger employees find them essential for building rapport. The key is to use them thoughtfully. A simple emoji can soften a message and prevent misinterpretation, but using them excessively or in formal client communications can still be seen as inappropriate. This evolution shows a growing emphasis on authenticity and emotional intelligence, proving that emojis, when used well, can improve your professional image.

The Emotional Workweek: A Day-by-Day Breakdown of Workplace Moods

So if emojis are the new language of work, what story do they tell about our moods throughout the week?

The traditional dread of Monday is a myth: a 2023 Gallup survey found that 62% of employees globally report the highest levels of workplace stress on Tuesdays and Wednesdays,

What does the emotional workweek look like? The data tells a nuanced story:

• Reactions start strong on Monday (257,124), peak on Tuesday (288,396) and Wednesday (286,749), and then gently decline toward the weekend.

• The sharp drop-off on Saturday (59,353) and Sunday (18,678) clearly shows the importance of work-life balance for our users.

When we dive into the positivity level of these reactions, a clear and consistent trend emerges.

• Starting low on Tuesday, the positivity index for most regions rises steadily through the week, reaching its peak on Friday (10.7).

• The weekend positivity levels remain high, at 10.7 on Saturday and 10.8 on Sunday.
  

The trend of increasing positivity toward the end of the week is a powerful finding. It suggests that, for many, the anticipation of the weekend brings a more positive and expressive demeanor to their digital interactions.

But the day of the week isn't the only factor at play. The ability to express these emotions also comes down to individual traits. A study by the University of Texas found that employees with high emotional intelligence are more likely to express positive emotions at work, which in turn can fuel more positive team dynamics and ultimately drive productivity gains.

A New Perspective: Workplace Emoji Use by Account

While total reactions tell one story, looking at the average number of reactions per business account gives us a different view of emotional activity. This metric highlights which regions are the most emotionally expressive on an individual level.

• Looking beyond total reactions, Brazil again takes the lead with an average of 1,070 reactions per account per month..

• Latin America and the USA, UK, Canada collective are close behind, with 917 and 899 reactions, respectively.

• The data shows a striking difference for Germany, with an average of just 278 reactions per account, and Turkey, with 182.

Once considered too casual for professional settings, emojis are now becoming a recognized shorthand for tone, intent, and sentiment in workplace communication. They bridge the gap that plain text often leaves, helping colleagues convey warmth, encouragement, or urgency without lengthy explanations.

Far from being unprofessional, emojis are increasingly seen as a vital form of non-verbal cues - a tool that enables clarity, empathy, and efficiency in modern business communication.

The Evolution of Workplace Communication: A Positive Trend

Since the launch of Bitrix24 in 2012, we've seen a consistent and significant increase in the overall positivity of user chat reactions. The positivity index has grown from 7.2 in 2012 to 11.8 in 2025. This growth has been particularly steady from 2020 to 2025, increasing from 11.2 to 11.8. 

This long-term trend suggests a fascinating connection between the widespread adoption of digital collaboration tools and employee well-being. The rise of digital collaboration platforms has not only made work more efficient but may also be contributing to higher levels of job satisfaction by creating more connected and emotionally expressive workplace cultures. This idea is supported by studies on employee engagement, which consistently link effective digital communication and collaboration to higher levels of job satisfaction and overall employee well-being.

The Global Language of Emoji: Regional Favorites

Emojis are the new non-verbal cues of the digital age, and our data shows that their usage is as diverse as the cultures using them. Managers are learning to use reactions and emojis to signal care and recognition, not just to boost efficiency. A 2023 Adobe study found that 92% of emoji users believe emojis help people communicate across language barriers, and 72% feel more connected to coworkers when emojis are used in workplace chats.

While some countries use a wide variety of emojis, others are more reserved, mirroring their general communication styles.

• Countries like Fiji, Bermuda, and the Philippines are the most expressive, using a wide variety of emojis to convey emotion.

• On the other hand, Japan stands out as the country that uses the fewest emotional reactions, which aligns with research on Japanese business communication, where direct emotional expression is often avoided in favor of subtle, context-based cues.

The language of emoji is not uniform; instead, certain emojis are clearly preferred in specific regions:

• The Neutral Like emoji is a top choice in Chile, Sweden, Costa Rica, and Hong Kong.

• The Kiss (Admire) emoji is most popular in Bermuda, Nigeria, and South Africa.

• The Smile (laugh) emoji dominates in Fiji and the Philippines.

• The Cry and Wonder emojis are most used in Sweden, Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Fiji.

Which emojis are the least popular? Our data shows low global usage for the Angry and Facepalm emojis, though some regions stand out:

• The Angry emoji is most popular in Egypt, Tunisia, Fiji, Argentina, and Costa Rica.

The Facepalm emoji is most used in Vietnam, Fiji, Hungary, and Argentina. 

This unique data on emoji usage offers a creative lens through which to view a company's internal culture, revealing how this non-verbal communication adds layers of meaning to digital conversations.

A 2023 study on emoji use in the workplace found that using positive emojis can improve team creativity and psychological safety, but also noted that cultural context is key to their effective use.

As our tools get smarter, our workplaces are becoming more human. The rise in positivity and expressiveness over the past decade suggests that organizations that embrace authentic, emotionally intelligent communication are not only building stronger teams but also creating workplaces where people feel valued, connected, and engaged.

The Leader's Role in a New Digital Culture

For modern leaders, understanding and embracing emojis is now a crucial part of the job. According to research from the Harvard Business Review, leaders who use emojis effectively build stronger connections with their teams. Emojis can make leaders seem more relatable and less intimidating, which encourages open communication and feedback. For example, a "thumbs up" or a "celebration" emoji in response to a team's success is more engaging than a simple "good job." This approach shows a leader is in tune with their team’s emotions, building trust and strengthening support. 

Ultimately, this research underscores a powerful truth: improving team collaboration with emojis is no longer a trend - it's a core component of building a thriving modern workplace.

Bitrix24 is a leading employee engagement platform trusted by over 15 million organizations.

Get deeper insight – download the graphics and details of our study as a PDF: The Emoji Economy: A Bitrix24 Study on How Emojis Shape the Digital Workplace

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