NEW technology is making us more miserable, a survey reveals. Research by business information company Croner found that 60 per cent of respondents felt that mobile phones, laptops and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) increased stress levels and actually made their jobs more difficult.

Richard Smith, a Human Resources expert from Croner Consulting, said: "The mobile business revolution is upon us and the number of 'mobile workers' is rising rapidly.

"The need to address work-life balance has never been greater as employees increasingly feel they cannot get away from work.

"Our survey shows that in the eyes of the Human Relations industry, what should be seen as a tool to help us reduce stress, is in fact becoming a stress driver by implying employees should be ready to work in spare time.

"Invariably it is our key workers we equip with mobile technology and it is important they do not become demotivated by it."

He added: "It is likely that many employees think a company mobile means they should always be contactable and a laptop means they should continue to work at home.

"The use of mobile technology is set to increase and is a large business expense.

"What should be seen as a benefit of a job may be becoming a negative and businesses need to manage this to ensure employees remain motivated."