A recent survey, conducted by Robert Half technology, shined some light on the use of technology and manners in the workplace. With the emergence of new mobile technologies, smaller and smaller laptops, and other portable devices comes a decline in our everyday courtesy for others. According to their work 51% of CIO’s surveyed said that the increased availability of mobile electronic gadgets has increased “breaches in workplace etiquette.”

A whopping 22% claimed that the increase in gadgets led to a significant reduction in workforce etiquette, while 29% said it decreased somewhat.

Think back to your last meeting, did you check your email from your blackberry, maybe you texted a client or friend?  Have you ever picked up a phone call when you were in the middle of a conversation?  We have all done it, or had it done to us, and although we are aware these activities can be rude, they continue to happen.

The top 5 rudest activities identified by the survey were:

1. Multi-taskers who email or text message during company meetings. While for the most part multitasking abilities are regarded highly, don’t do it at the expense of paying full attention to what others have to say.
2. Workers who send emails instead of having conversations face to face. Try to make at least 80% of your in house communication in person or over the phone.  Talking is most instances is actually quicker than email, and leaves less room for misinterpretation, plus it helps team building.
3. Workers with big mouths, who constantly talk to loudly while on the phone.  Welcome to 2010, they have done marvels with reception and phone quality so there is no need to yell into the phone.  Still having troubles? Maybe it’s time to update your phone or carrier?
4. People with blue-tooth’s permanently attached.  Are you crazy or just really busy, sometimes it’s hard to tell. 
5. And workers who tried to be polite by putting their phones on vibrate, but then neglect to shut off the buzzing while in a meeting.  If you’re expecting an important call or message leave your phone on vibrate, but in your pocket so only you know when it’s going off, otherwise turn it to silent just to be safe.