CT Companies Attend Valuable LifeCare - R -, Inc. Seminar on Maintaining Workforce Effectiveness in an Age of Uncertainty.

Business Editors

WESTPORT, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2002

Work/Life veteran, Karol Rose, offers companies insight and strategies

for dealing with today's changing business environment

Human resource executives from top Hartford, CT area companies attended a special seminar on how to maintain workforce effectiveness in today's uncertain economic and business environment.

Leading work/life expert, Karol Rose, Managing Director of Workforce Effectiveness for LifeCare(R), Inc., helped participants examine how business needs and employee focus have changed and led a discussion on how organizations could manage overworked and stressed employees while improving productivity in the face of workforce reductions.

The seminar, hosted by Aetna, looked at how the structure of society has changed, both prior to September 11th and in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and provided valuable information to help companies achieve their business objectives by creating a more supportive work environment.

"Keeping employees focused on business at a time when everyone is re-examining the value and meaning of the work they do, is no small task," said Rose. "Companies are putting more emphasis on the three P's - "presenteeism," prevention and productivity, while employees are putting more emphasis on home and family."

"Despite a difficult economy, businesses are faced with the need for increased emphasis on human capital in order to achieve operational excellence. Companies must attract and retain top performers; create a culture of productivity, innovation and energy; develop good relationships with existing employees (including top performers and survivors of downsizing); address employee burnout with personalized, total wellness programs with a Life Event Management(SM) approach; and leverage flexibility to meet employees' needs and maximize productivity. This can actually be a win-win for companies and their employees," said Rose.

The seminar also included discussions on the strategy for linking work/life initiatives to business issues; the need for ongoing identification of employee and business needs; the need for companies to provide Life Event Management(SM) information and support; and the necessity of aligning policies and benefits with employee/business needs and priorities.

Prior to joining LifeCare in 1998, Ms. Rose was a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers and leader of the work/life effectiveness consulting practice. Before joining PWC, Ms. Rose was the director of work/family initiatives and training for Time Warner Inc. where she developed many innovative work/life initiatives, including one of the country's first onsite back-up emergency child care centers. She has written numerous articles and four books including, The Employers' Guide to Child Care and Work/Life Effectiveness: Programs, Policies and Practices (April 2000).

About LifeCare, Inc.

LifeCare, Inc. is a human services organization specializing in Life Event Management(SM). With more than 17 years of experience in delivering "high touch" resource and referral services through the use of innovative technology, LifeCare helps employees manage the day-to-day challenges of their lives and the lives of their families and in turn helps employers improve productivity, recruitment, retention and workplace commitment. LifeCare currently serves 1,200 companies and organizations, representing nearly 4 million employees. The company's URL is www.lifecare.com.