Purdue News

May 7, 1999 Purdue conference focuses on older workers WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Older workers will comprise a greater percentage of the work force in the future, and meeting their needs is the topic of a conference sponsored by the Midwestern Work-Family Association (MWFA) of Purdue University. The conference "Older Workers, Older Families: What Are Employers to Do?" will be Friday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott in Merrillville, Ind. "The needs and concerns of older workers and their families may not be the same as those of their younger counterparts," says Shelley MacDermid, director of the MWFA. "However, while day care for children is not so much a concern for older workers, they still may need day care for their aging parents." Speakers for this third annual conference include: Scott Mies, director of work-life initiatives at PLATINUM technology, inc., who will discuss the decision-making process in determining employee needs; Sharon DeVaney, Purdue assistant professor and expert on personal finance and aging; and Rick Garnitz, president of LifeSpan Services, who will share information on recruiting, retaining and retraining older workers. In addition, a panel discussion will provide information on services related to elder care, and an afternoon session will assess the "return on investment" of work-family initiatives. The conference is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Co. in partnership with the Alliance of Work-Life Professionals (AWLP). The conference is open to all interested persons. Registration for nonmembers of the MWFA costs $200 for those from large employers; $150 for those from small employers; and $100 for persons from nonprofit organizations. AWLP members pay $100 for the conference. For more information about registration, contact Tom Robertson, conference coordinator, at (765) 494-7220 or (800) 359-2968. CONTACT: MacDermid, (765) 494-9878 Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page