In the wake of two recent high-profile incidences of workplace violence, a new survey reveals that one out of four employees believe that a co-worker is capable of committing a violent act.

According to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, 26 percent of employed adults said they seriously thought that a co-worker was capable of violent acts, while 43 percent of government workers felt a fellow employee was capable of mass violence.

The survey from Rasmussen Reports – an firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information – also found that almost half (49 percent) of employees said their employers had procedures in place to identify troubled employees capable of violence, while over one-third (35 percent) reported their employers did not have workplace safety procedures in place.

Conducting background checks is one method for a company to ensure workplace safety and help prevent workplace violence. Employers can address security concerns within their organizations with increased background checks for potential employees to uncover as past instances of violence. Most companies now conduct criminal background checks on potential employees as part on their pre-employment screening program. According to a report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 80 percent of companies run criminal background checks on job applicants before hiring.

Background checks are a proven and efficient way to help curb workplace violence and provide a secure worksite. Background check companies such as Pre-Employ.com – recently ranked in HRO Today’s 2009 “Baker’s Dozen” of Top Employment Screening Providers – can provide employers with pre-employment background checks and other security options that can help prevent workplace violence and ensure the safety of employers, employees, and the public.

For more information about background checks, take a brief tour at www.pre-employ.com/tour, visit www.pre-employ.com, email info@pre-employ.com, or call 1-800-300-1821. To follow Pre-Employ.com on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/PreEmploy.

pr@pre-employ.com

*We welcome relevant comments and questions from consumers, experts, and human resources professionals. Please do not submit comments with advertisements as they will not be posted publicly. Thanks for visiting our blog!