Being “plugged in” is a surefire way for employees to immediately access information, but often that technology comes with a price – bad manners.

More than half of the chief information officers surveyed at national companies recently revealed that technological gadgets are contributing to poor workplace etiquette. Developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals, the survey showed that 51% of the chief information officers believe electronic gadgets have increased the level of breaches in office manners.

Twenty-two percent of the information executives say that in the past three years gadgets have “significantly” increased poor behavior, while an additional 29% said the gadgets have “somewhat” influenced negative behavior.

With the creation of cellphones, smart phones, Blackberries and laptops, the survey indicates that electronic advances are getting in the way of common courtesy.

“While electronic gadgets are designed to make employees more productive, they also may serve as a distraction,” says Dave Willmer, Robert Half executive director. “Although the rules of tech etiquette vary from business to business, it’s always a good idea to give people you’re collaborating with your undivided attention.”

The survey, conducted by an independent research firm in the fourth quarter of last year, served as a benchmark to a comparative survey Robert Half commissioned in 2004, company officials say.

Only 6% of the information officers said the number of breaches in workplace etiquette had decreased in the past three years.

The chief information officers surveyed were with U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.

Along with releasing the survey results, Robert Half also identified five types of tech-etiquette offenders:

The distracter tries not to irritate co-workers with a constantly ringing phone, but instead overuses the vibrate mode, “but hearing it repeatedly buzz loudly on a desktop or during a meeting can be just as distracting,” according to Robert Half officials.

The cyborgs are never seen without a Bluetooth headset or iPod ear bud in their ears.

The broadcasters use their cellphones anytime, anyplace. “When using your cellphone in common areas, it’s not only disrespectful but also potentially off-putting to others,” Robert Half officials say. “Keep private conversations limited to private places.”

The e-mail addict's MO is a barrage of e-mail and instant and text messages. This person uses messages to communicate all of his or her needs, when often a phone call or an in-person conversation would resolve an issue more quickly.

The misguided multi-tasker is the final tech-etiquette offender. This person believes that e-mailing and texting during a meeting or in-person conversation demonstrates efficiency, when in fact it gives the impression that the other person’s company is unwanted.

“The best communicators take time to consider the most appropriate medium for the message,” says Executive Director Willmer.