Leader: Time to switch off your mobile?

A report out today from an Orange-flavoured coalition reminds workers to switch off their BlackBerrys and other work mobile devices when they're not on work time.

Good plan. Who wouldn't fancy a bit more work-life balance and a little less 'hi, this is the office just calling to check... ' after hours?

For most BlackBerry addicts, there's been that heart-stopping moment when an angry client sends a bile-laden email... at a godforsaken hour.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. The point of workers having company mobiles and BlackBerrys is so they can be contacted when they're not at their desk - and for many, that unfortunately means when they should be sitting down for tea with the family.

A blanket 'switch off' policy is just not practical - nor desired by many. We know several mobile users and BlackBerry fans in particular who would turn feral at the suggestion of turning off their device when they leave the office.

For most BlackBerry addicts, there's been that heart-stopping moment when an angry client sends a bile-laden email querying a missed order or some dodgy figures at a godforsaken hour when there's no one in the office to pacify them - and that's where the BlackBerry user steps in.

The people who carry company-bought mobile devices or give out their personal mobile number, after all, possess such devices because they're the ones meant to deal with inappropriately timed problems. Ironically, workers that can switch off their mobile at the end of the working day are likely to be the type who know they won't be needed while they're out of the office.

So if the Orange report encourages bosses to start telling their charges to get a bit of work-life balance and turn off their mobiles when they wave the receptionist goodbye, all the better. Only don't be surprised to learn that said boss has never touched his own phone's off button in his life.