As World Emoji Day (July 17) approaches, an ongoing debate reignites — is it OK to use emojis and emoticons at work?

According to new research from OfficeTeam, nearly four in 10 (39 percent) senior managers said it’s unprofessional to include emojis or emoticons in work communications, but 61 percent stated it’s OK, at least in certain situations. Fifty-nine percent of office workers said they never or only sparingly use these symbols, while 41 percent send them at least sometimes.

OfficeTeam emojis infographic