CIOs were asked, "In your opinion, what effect has the increased use of mobile electronic gadgets -- such as cell phones, handheld email 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 percent feel it is inappropriate to leave on a cell phone ringer, while 80 percent say sending instant messages to others is a definite "don't." Seventy-nine percent of CIOs frown on sending and replying to email when the meeting is in session, and 65 percent consider it poor etiquette to work on personal computers while others have the floor.

Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, identified "tech-etiquette" 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 email for sensitive subjects -- Email and instant messages can be easily misinterpreted because they lack subtle clues like vocal tone and body language. Refrain from discussing sensitive or personal matters using email and instead reserve these discussions for face-to-face meetings when recipients can be sure of your intended meaning.
• Overusing "reply all" -- Make sure your responses to emails are sent to only those people who require follow up.
• Using high-tech shorthand -- Instant messaging and email have created a language of acronyms with "words" such as BTW (by the way) and IMO (in my opinion). Only use these terms 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.

"Mobile electronics such as cell phones, portable email devices and laptop computers can significantly increase productivity when used appropriately," explained Lee. "However, paying careful attention to the rules of 'tech etiquette' will ensure you demonstrate courtesy, professionalism and respect for business colleagues at all times."

The national poll includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half Technology.