We know sometimes it’s difficult separating work from your personal life, but this is getting ridiculous.

 

A survey by Nokia (News - Alert), “Tips on How Mobile Technology Can Fuel a Better Work-Life Balance,” says that work spills into bathroom time for more than half of Americans and into the bedroom for almost 25 percent.

 

“The good news is that innovative and personable technology tools, like the Nokia E71, are providing us with choices on how, when and where we work,” said Bill Plummer, vice president, Nokia Americas. “However, we do acknowledge that there may be times and places where it is considered appropriate to shut off your phone or e-mail altogether.”

 

The study says 53 percent of American workers have been interrupted by a work-related phone call or e-mail while in the bathroom, 24 percent allowed a call to interrupt them while in the throes of passion, and 23 percent while on a date.

 

While making a business deal on a cell phone in your own bathroom might seem acceptable, it’s still not fully-accepted in public bathrooms. Several articles and blogs on the Internet say talking on the phone in a public bathroom is rude. Others say they don’t want to talk to anyone who is in the bathroom.

 

And although talking in bathrooms, movies and restaurants annoys many people, the madness doesn’t seem to be stopping. Seventy-five percent of those polled say technology plays a primary role in helping them balance their work and home life and 59 percent say they never turn off their mobile devices.

 

The survey says work often seeps into leisure time, with 62 percent of Americans having their personal lives interrupted by work at least 10 times a week. On the other hand, 65 percent have had their work lives interrupted by a personal matter.

 

This week, Nokia Flagship Stores in New York and Chicago will have events taking place with the theme, “Life – in Balance.” They will feature the latest Nokia devices, such as the Nokia E71 – a slim mobile device for personal and work use, and services geared toward balancing the work-life equation, as well as advice from author and time management expert Julie Morgenstern.

 

“We must have the discipline to maintain separation between work and personal life, so that both are balanced and fulfilling,” Morgenstern said. “With focus, and the right tools, you can easily make the transition between the two - and better enjoy the best of both worlds.”

 

Morgenstern and Nokia have developed a complete list of “Get Your (Work) Life in Balance” tips for easing your daily grind. For the complete checklist, please see: http://www.nokia-americas-press.com/lifeinbalance.

 

Five-hundred adults, between 18 and 54, who are employed either full- or part-time, were polled for the survey. Nokia is a provider of mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industry.