February 05, 2001

Despite High-Profile Incidents, Most Americans

Don't Worry About Workplace Violence

Burglary, car theft, much more common fears for the American public

by Darren K. Carlson

The tragic shooting incident at a suburban Chicago truck engine company on Monday raised, again, the issue of workplace violence and its effect on the American public. A September 2000 Gallup poll indicates that only 7% of the public says they frequently or occasionally worry about "being assaulted or killed by a coworker or other employee" where they work. On the other hand, 80% of Americans say they rarely or never think of this type of violence happening to them. This ranks workplace violence last on the list of 10 crime concerns explored on the survey. The more common incidences of home burglary and car theft top the list of crimes that concern the public, with 48% of Americans saying they frequently or occasionally worry about these things happening to them.