Lighter Side: Google reveals equality-promoting emojis

The tech giant’s latest attempt to tackle workplace diversity is a little more light-hearted than previous initiatives.

Google has revealed a collection of newly-designed emojis in its latest, more light-hearted attempt to tackle workplace diversity.

The tech giant has created 13 original designs in total – all of which depict women working across a variety of industries including education, entertainment, agriculture, business, healthcare, construction, science, manufacturing, and mechanics.

“Given the fact that women are the most frequent emoji users, and that they span a wide professional spectrum not yet reflected in current emoji, we want to help address this pressing matter of equality,” Google said in its proposal.

“Isn’t it time that emoji also reflect the reality that women play a key role in every walk of life and in every profession?” it asked.

At present, female emoji fans are limited as to how they can express themselves via the medium – while activities such as running, cycling, swimming and snowboarding are represented by men, women are restricted to dancing, getting their hair cut or having their nails painted.

A further 13 corresponding emojis will show men in the same roles – from farmer and welder to surgeon and scientist.
 
More like this:

$15K pay-out for “humiliated” employee

Top execs torn over big data and gut instinct

Three steps to a mentally healthy workplace
 

Recent articles & video

Employer tells worker: 'I think it's best we call it quits'

INZ lays down new enforcement tools for employer non-compliance

What is redundancy, anyway?

U.S. bans non-compete agreements

Most Read Articles

Kiwi firms still looking to hire despite challenging economy

Woolworths pleads guilty in $1.1-million wage underpayment case

Over 200 employers banned from hiring skilled migrants under AEWV