'Tech-etiquette' blunders more common

If you see nothing wrong with checking e-mail or using instant messaging during meetings, maybe it’s time for a tech-etiquette course. In a recent Robert Half Technology survey, 67% of chief information officers polled said breaches in technology etiquette are more common today than three years ago.

The US national poll, conducted by an independent research firm, includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of companies with 100 or more employees. CIOs were asked, “In your opinion, what effect has the increased use of mobile electronic gadgets -- such as cell phones, handheld e-mail devices and portable computers -- had on workplace etiquette in the past three years? Have the number of breaches in workplace etiquette increased, decreased or remained the same?” Their responses:

Increased significantly     28%
Increased somewhat       39%
Remained the same        25%
Decreased somewhat       6%
Decreased significantly     2%
                                            100%

CIOs also sounded off on what annoys them most during business meetings: 88% feel it is inappropriate to leave on a cell phone ringer, while 80% say sending instant messages to others is a definite “don’t.” Seventy-nine percent of CIOs frown on sending and replying to e-mail when the meeting is in session, and 65% consider it poor etiquette to work on personal computers while others have the floor.

“Mobile electronics such as cell phones, portable e-mail devices and laptop computers can significantly increase productivity when used appropriately,” explained Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “However, paying careful attention to the rules of ‘tech etiquette’ will ensure you demonstrate courtesy, professionalism and respect for business colleagues at all times.”

Lee identified blunders that are increasingly widespread and offered tips for avoiding them:

• Taking cell phone calls during meetings -- Few things are more disruptive to the flow of business than answering a call in the middle of a conversation. Unless you need to be reached urgently, turn off your phone or set it on vibrate mode before every meeting.
• Using e-mail for sensitive subjects -- E-mail and instant messages can be easily misinterpreted because they lack subtle clues like vocal tone and body language.
• Overusing “reply all” -- Make sure your responses to e-mails are sent to only those people who require follow up.
• Using high-tech shorthand -- Instant messaging and e-mail have created a language of acronyms with “words” such as BTW (by the way) and IMO (in my opinion). Use these terms only if you’re confident every member of your audience is familiar with them.
• Clicking your camera phone -- Don’t take pictures unless there is a business need and you have permission from colleagues.