Policy on the use of Emojis

🔹 Legal Compliance

• Covers multiple laws: Emojis in workplace communication are legally recognised symbols. Misuse can fall under the Employment Equity Act (discrimination), the Cybercrimes Act (harassment), POPIA (monitoring), and the Prevention of Hate Speech Bill.
• A formal policy helps employers prove they took reasonable steps to regulate communication and prevent liability.

🔹 Risk Management

• Prevents misunderstandings where an emoji could be misinterpreted as harassment, discrimination, or aggression.
• Reduces the risk of costly CCMA disputes, Labour Court claims, or reputational harm linked to digital communication.

🔹 Workplace Discipline & Clarity

• Sets clear rules on acceptable and unacceptable emoji use across emails, WhatsApp groups, and internal platforms.
• Provides a disciplinary framework so employers can act fairly and consistently if misuse occurs.