Contact

Webinar Recording | Beyond the smile: Emojis, communication and misinterpretation in the modern workplace

Back to top

Webinar Recording | Beyond the smile: Emojis, communication and misinterpretation in the modern workplace

Emojis have become a common feature in digital communication but what happens when their meaning is misinterpreted in professional settings?

16 Jul 2025 1:07:09 Minutes Webinar

Employment Law Directors, Anli Bezuidenhout and Yvonne Mkefa, and Forensic & Legal Linguist, Dr. Zakeera Docrat explore how emojis impact workplace communication, legal boundaries, and cultural sensitivities.

This webinar examined how these symbols can blur lines between friendliness and misconduct. Learn why context, culture, and relationship dynamics matter when using emojis at work, and how these simple icons are increasingly being scrutinised in legal proceedings. This webinar will deepen your understanding of emoji use and misuse in professional environments.

Watch the webinar below.

The information and material published on this website is provided for general purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We make every effort to ensure that the content is updated regularly and to offer the most current and accurate information. Please consult one of our lawyers on any specific legal problem or matter. We accept no responsibility for any loss or damage, whether direct or consequential, which may arise from reliance on the information contained in these pages. Please refer to our full terms and conditions. Copyright © 2025 Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce an article or publication, please contact us cliffedekkerhofmeyr@cdhlegal.com.

You might also be interested in

21 Jan 2025

by Nadeem Mahomed and Lynsey Foot

Investigation reports and disciplinary processes: Employer accountability for defamation

The legal implications of defamation claims arising from disciplinary investigations were brought into focus in the recent case of Ndobe v Gibela Rail Consortium RF (Pty) Ltd ZAGPJHC 1215 (27 November 2024) ( Gibela ). This case examined whether an employer could be held liable for defamation when an investigation report implicated an employee in project mismanagement. The judgment provides valuable insights into the boundaries of employer liability and the principles safeguarding confidentiality and fairness in suchproceedings. 

Employment Law

3 min read

1 Apr 2025

by Marco Neto, Zodwa Malinga and Khaya Mantengu

Does a time-bar challenge negate an adjudicator’s jurisdiction to determine a referred dispute?

Adjudication serves as a crucial dispute resolution tool in South African construction contracts, offering a rapid, interim solution to keep projects moving amid disagreements. Increasingly integrated into major construction agreements, adjudication decisions are legally binding until overturned by arbitration, litigation or mutual agreement.

Dispute Resolution

5 min read

12 Nov 2024

by Neha Dhana and Ledile Maloka

The conundrum of unsolicited bids

Municipalities regularly receive unsolicited bids, which are offers by third parties on their own initiative and without an invitation from a municipality to provide the municipality with goods or services. The general principle is that municipalities are not obliged to consider unsolicited bids as they fall outside the normal bidding process. In the circumstances, when a municipality does choose to consider an unsolicited bid it must do so within the prescribed legislative framework.

Dispute Resolution

3 min read

25 Sep 2024

by Martha Mbugua and Stefani Wanjeri

Foreign governing laws and enforcement of foreign judgments in Kenya

In the case of Opera Software Ireland Limited v Keraco Holdings Limited (Miscellaneous Case E059 of 2024) KEHC 8699 (KLR)), the High Court of Kenya refused to enforce a foreign judgment against Keraco Holdings Limited (Keraco), a Kenyan company, due to the lack of clarity regarding the governing law of the contract. The judgment creditor, Opera Software Ireland Limited (Opera), sought to enforce a judgment awarded in its favour from the High Court of Justice in the UK. Both parties had entered into a simple contract for the provision of services which made reference to Opera’s standard terms and conditions accessible from theirwebsite.  

Corporate & Commercial Law

3 min read

25 Jun 2025

by Nastascha Harduth

Foreign insolvency judgments in South Africa

The recent decision by the full bench of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Ellison v Breytenbach N.O and Another (A278/2022) ZAGPPHC 565 (5 June 2025) sheds light on how South African courts handle the recognition of foreign insolvency judgments – particularly as the South African Cross-Border Insolvency Act 42 of 2000 (Cross-Border Insolvency Act) is of no practical application.

Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring

2 min read

23 Jun 2025

by Bonita de Silva and Megan Rodgers

Oil & Gas Thought Leadership

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr’s Oil and Gas Sector is the legal partner of choice on your oil and gas projects across the value chain. We have unique and substantial legal expertise in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors and advise major independent oil companies, national oil companies, service providers and regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions, including Namibia.

Firm News

1 min read

This website uses cookies to enhance the browsing experience. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

Accept Decline