UTICA - Several area businesses are better informed about work place violence this afternoon, after the Central New York Labor Agency held a seminar at the Holiday Inn on Burrstone Road.

Several speakers, including New York State troopers and the Labor Agency were guest speakers.

The project coordinator, Garry Colarusso, says a seminar like this is useful because of a growing trend.

"The trend for workplace violence has increased over the years because of financial commitments we've had in this area," Colarusso said. "Pressures to perform on the job, social statements that come with either personalities, religion or race all of those tend to lead to some type of friction in the work place."