* Fears of workplace violence growing

* Workers prone to violence tend to reveal intentions

* Fueling fear is perpetrators who seemed normal

By Ellen Wulfhorst

NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - A worker recently laid off by a U.S. financial services company grew so upset that the firm had him followed to be sure he didn't strike out violently at his former co-workers or bosses.

"Tough times will cause people to do crazy things," said Kenneth Springer, whose company Corporate Resolutions Inc. did the surveillance. "People are taking more precautions."

Indeed, stories of workplace violence are filling headlines of late -- the San Diego bus mechanic who killed two co-workers or the unemployed man in upstate New York whose 12 shooting victims included a receptionist and a teacher.

With such jarring tragedies, fears of violence fueled by financial worries are growing as the recession puts strain and stress on anxious workers, experts say.

Job losses, job uncertainty and slashed budgets are all pressures that could push someone over the edge.