Safety Management

Workplace Security Becomes Major Concern After September 11 Attacks

Employers are putting much more emphasis on workplace security as a result of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, according to the results of an email survey of more than 5,600 human resources professionals.

The survey, which was initiated September 18 and tabulated September 22, found that 56 percent of organizations were planning to put higher security provisions in place. These provisions included more attention to pre-employment screening, and disaster planning, training and recovery.

Two-thirds of people responding to the survey predicted that employees will be more caring toward one another in the wake of the attacks. On the other hand, a number of other respondents said their workplaces were experiencing an increase in workplace harassment directed at Middle Eastern employees.

Among the other workplace changes linked to the attacks were:

• Employee assistance programs will be re-energized and more employees will utilize them.

• Working from home will increase and air travel for business will become more optional. Fifty-percent of respondents said employees "will not consider business travel as glamorous."

• The scope of disaster recovery plans will be increased dramatically.

• Employers and employees will weigh work/life balance issues more seriously.

The survey was conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management and eePulse Inc.