New research suggests using emojis at work makes you seem less powerful

iRadio Stock Image

Although many of us have over 800 emojis at our fingertips, deciding when and where to use them could be more important that you thought.

For example, using emojis in work emails makes you appear less powerful, according to new research.

A new study from Tel Aviv University found workers who use emojis or graphics were deemed less authoritative by their colleagues.

It also found that images can signal a desire for "social proximity", which makes you less likely to be considered "the boss".

Co-writer of the study Dr. Elinor Amit asked “Why do pictures signal that a sender is low power?”

“Research shows that visual messages are often interpreted as a signal for desire for social proximity,” she said in the report. “A separate body of research shows that less powerful people desire social proximity more than powerful people do.”

“Our findings raise a red flag: when you want to signal power, think twice before sending an emoji or a picture."

That's us told!