Workaholic Brits can't find the off switch

Is the mobile love affair over? The majority of Brits believe portable technology has had a negative effect on work/life balance rather than helping them manage their time better, a new survey suggests.

Of the more than 2,000 UK workers polled, well over half (67 per cent) said mobile tech is a hindrance and does not in fact help them juggle the demands of life and work. And nearly a third (29 per cent) said they find it invasive - and actively dread being contacted 24/7. The same percentage complained that mobile tech also gets in the way of their social lives.

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The survey was carried out by American Express Insurance Services. Chris Rolland, head of American Express Insurance Services, said in a statement: "The use of mobile technology would seem an obvious way to keep up with the increased pace of working but there is evidence of it all too often eating up precious personal time."

But Brits may be contributing to this dreaded always-on culture by failing to teach the tech who's boss: almost one in five (19 per cent) of those surveyed said they are never able to 'switch off'.

Meanwhile, BlackBerry addicts may be a little less in thrall of their devices than the average gadget-wielding UK worker. Just 15 per cent of BlackBerry users said they have difficulty powering down, and only 18 per cent said it interferes with their social life.

Speaking to silicon.com recently, Charmaine Eggberry - VP EMEA of BlackBerry-maker RIM - pointed out that the device can be managed to minimise its intrusiveness. She said: "We have given some serious, serious thought to making sure that actually you are in control of that device. We have different profiles. You can use it as a phone only. We've got filters on there. You can only see the important mails.

"What I find fascinating is that there is also one little key that everybody could use which is called the 'off' key and that people choose not to."