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<h1 align="center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME<br>
</font></span><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">A raging Epidemic Or More Junk Science ?</span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Modern day science has discovered
that many of our old fears</font></span><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and
laws about Red dye #7 ( anyone remember cinnamon red-hots and strawberry Nehi ?)<span
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>breast implant infections, and the
chlorinated water scare were based a lot more on science fiction than science.<span
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These at one time were all blamed for
disastrous maladies and resulted in lawsuits and millions of dollars in court
decisions, damages and settlements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All,
at one time or place were outlawed.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>What else do they have in common?<span
style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>All the above were eventually exonerated of the charges and
claims against them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, none
of the targeted companies were ever repaid for their losses.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">How did we come to believe they were so
dangerous to start with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The best
answer is, scare tactics based on what is today called �junk science�.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Modern day science is looking into our
current concerns of global warming, deforestation, the vanishing ozone layer and
over-population as beliefs not locked in concrete science to date.<span
style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Now of course we all have beliefs as to which of these, if
any, are well established in sound science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>But all are currently under study and some are already being placed in
doubt.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">After 15 years of universal acceptance
another fear is now being put to the test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>And this one has a serious impact on employers. Since the age of the
personal computer and desk monitor was firmly established in the mid 80s, we
have fought over the issue of the various maladies that are grouped under the
title �Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)� specifically �Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome.(CTS)�<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>.<span
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We now seem to have accepted into our
culture the firm belief that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome� (CTS) is synonymous with
computer use.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>After employers have paid out millions in suits, settlements,
OSHA violations, and U.S. Dept of Labor charges they are now facing some scary
new legislation in the new ergonomics laws passed last year..</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">We now have a new study from the Mayo Clinic
in Rochester Minnesota which states that even for heavy computer users (up to 7
hours a day) there is no link between computer use and CTS.<span
style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>The author of the study, Dr J Clark Stevens, a
Neurologist says that �Ones lifetime risk of developing CTS in any profession
is about 1 in 10!.�<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So..a lot of
people who use computer are bound to get CTS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>His study suggests that computer use may not be the culprit.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">CTS is also closely associated with Diabetes,
Pregnancy, Thyroid disorders and Arthritis as well as old sprains, strains and
other injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In about half the
cases, CTS cannot be traced to <u>any</u> cause.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Classic symptoms include numbness and pain in
the hands and wrist caused by compression of the Median nerve in the wrist.<span
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>CTS is often confused with Tendonitis
which in fact is more closely associated with computer use.</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">�We are loaded with data that says it�s a
myth� says Dr. Norton M. Handler Professor of Medicine at the University of
North Carolina, �Computer use is not the culprit� �A hellish, hard driving
boss may be more associated with the problem than computer usage� said Dr.
Norton who believes that stress, tension and depression figure more prominently
in the diagnosis than previously thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>According
to Professor Robert Szabo, a Professor at the University of California at Davis,<span
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>�the scientific evidence fails to be
definitive in connecting occupational hand use to proven Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.�</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">With all the lost lawsuits, OSHA fines and
settlements, coupled with all the federal legislation passed last year,
employers need to seek more support and demand more technical proof when faced
with CTS charges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Are we solving our Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome problem through lawsuits and crippling<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>legislation or is this just more �junk science?�</font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Bill Cook<br>
President<br>
HRA</font></p>
<hr width="75%">
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><img border="0" src="q&a.jpg" width="106"
height="41"></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><b><i><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Question:</font></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">One of our employees has just been terminated for kicking a bad dent
in one of our trucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can we take
the cost of the repairs out of the money due him?</font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b><i>Answer:</i></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">No. You as the employer are holding the employee�s money in trust
until a preannounced time in which to pay them occurs.<span
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You have no more right to that money
than does the tire dealer who sold tires to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>employee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tire dealer
and you must follow due process and make your case in court in order to take his
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, a signed agreement
by the employee allowing you to deduct the money is proper.<span
style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>You may also inform him of your intent to file criminal
charges unless he agrees to the deduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<hr width="75%">
<div align="center">
<table border="0" width="99%" height="376">
<tr>
<td width="100%" height="370">
<p align="left"><b><u><font size="4"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hitchhiking on the
Information Highway</font></u></b></p>
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font
size="4" color="#FF0000">Dateline: October 2001</font></b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font
color="#000000" size="3"><u><font size="-1">The Longest Day(s)</font></u></font></b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">U.S. workers log more job
hours than any other industrialized nation. While other nations'
annual hours are dropping, the U.S. is increasing. The annual
average of hours worked <b>jumped</b> by about one (1) work week. </font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Compared to the average
Australians, Canadians, Japanese and Mexican workers, U.S. workers work
approximately <b>100 hours</b> more per year. This is partly due
to European workers averaging <b>4 to 6 weeks of vacation</b> compared
to Americans' 2 weeks.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>Insurance Premiums
Rising</u></b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Employer sponsored health
insurance <b>rose</b> 11% this year and are expected to reach 15% by
year end. 42% of companies surveyed said "It's very
likely" that they will <b>increase the employee share</b> of the
premium.</font></p>
<hr width="75%">
<table border="0" width="42%">
<tr>
<td width="73%">
<p align="left"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Minimum Wage:</b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="91%"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">$5.15/hr.</font></td>
</center>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="89%">
<tr>
<td width="15%" valign="middle"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Average
Income:</b></font></td>
<td width="53%">
<table border="0" width="106%">
<tr>
<td width="100%">
<p align="center"><b><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Hourly</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100%">
<table border="0" width="514">
<tr>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>Jan.</u></b><br>
$14.02</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>Feb.</u></b><br>
$14.10</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>Mar.</u></b><br>
$14.17</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><u><b>Apr.</b></u><br>
$14.22</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>May</u></b><br>
$14.26</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><u><b>June</b></u><br>
$14.29</font></td>
<td width="64"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>July</u></b><br>
$14.34</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><u><b>August</b></u><br>
$14.38</font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"><font face="Verdana"><b><u><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">September</font></u></b><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><br>
$14.41</font></font></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"></td>
<td width="64">
<p align="center"></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
<td width="32%">
<table border="0" width="101%" height="78">
<tr>
<td width="100%" height="40">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u>Family of<br>
Four</u></b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100%" height="30">
<p align="center"><font size="-1"
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">$59,900
(annual)</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="15%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Poverty
Level:</b></font></td>
<td width="53%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"></font> </td>
<td width="32%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">$17,650
(annual)</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="15%"></td>
<td width="53%"></td>
<td width="32%"></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="89%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="25%" valign="top"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>Gas
Prices:<br>
</b><i>Regular</i></font></td>
<td width="12%" valign="top">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>National
Avg.<br>
<u>May</u></b><br>
$1.76/gal.</font></td>
<td width="12%" valign="top">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>National
Avg.<br>
<u>June</u></b><br>
$1.73/gal.</font></td>
<td width="13%" valign="top">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>National
Avg.<br>
<u>July</u></b><br>
$1.43/gal.</font></td>
<td width="13%" valign="top">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>National
Avg.<br>
<u>August</u></b><br>
$1.39/gal.</font></td>
<td width="13%" valign="top">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>National
Avg.<br>
<u>September</u></b><br>
$1.53/gal.</font></td>
<td width="13%" valign="top">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>National
Avg.<br>
<u>October</u></b><br>
$1.29/gal.</font></td>
<td width="36%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>High (CA) $1.93<br>
Low (GA) $0.98</b></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<b>
<table border="0" width="79%">
<tr>
<td width="50%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>IRS Mileage Allowance <i>(1-01-01)</i>:</b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="50%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">34.5 cents per mile</font></td>
</center>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="54%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="32%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Postage:</b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="68%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font> </td>
</center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">1 oz.</font></td>
<td width="68%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">.34</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Each additional ounce</font></td>
<td width="68%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">.23*</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><i>Postcards</i></font></td>
<td width="68%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">.21*</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="32%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font> </td>
<td width="68%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><i>* Postal Rate changes effective July 1, 2001</i></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="38%">
<tr>
<td width="100%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Where your federal tax dollar goes in 2001:</b></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="38%">
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Social Security</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">23%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Discretionary</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">19%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Defense</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">16%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Medicare (over 65 years of age)</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">13%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Other</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">11%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Interest on National Debt</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">11%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Medicaid</font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">7%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="67%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font></td>
<td width="33%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>100%</b></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="34%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="100%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Where Uncle Sam gets his money in 2001:</b></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="34%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="61%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Individual income tax</font></td>
<td width="39%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">50%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Payroll taxes</font></td>
<td width="39%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">32%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Corporate taxes</font></td>
<td width="39%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">10%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Other</font></td>
<td width="39%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">8%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="61%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font> </td>
<td width="39%">
<p align="right"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b>100%</b></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="31%">
<tr>
<td width="25%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b><u>Population:</u></b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="75%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font></td>
</center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>World</b></font></td>
<td width="75%">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6 billion</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>U.S.</b></font></td>
<td width="75%">
<p align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">282 million</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</b>
<table border="1" width="90%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<b>
<td width="48%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font size="-1"></font></font></font></p>
</td>
</b><center><b>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>Jan.</u></b></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>Feb.</u></b></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>Mar.</u></b></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>Apr.</u></b></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>May</u></b></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>June</u></b></font></td>
</b><b></b></center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">U.S. Civilian Workforce</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,955,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,751,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,868,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,757,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,272,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141.354,000</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Number Unemployed</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">5,950,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">5,936,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6,088,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6,402,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6,169,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6,422,000</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Unemployment Rate</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.2%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.2%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.3%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.5%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.4%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.5%</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u><b>July</b></u></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><b><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><u>August</u></font></b></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>September</u></b></font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">U.S. Civilian Workforce</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,774,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">141,350,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">142,190,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Number Unemployed</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6,395,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">6,957,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">7,009,000</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="48%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Unemployment Rate</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.5%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.9%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">4.9%</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
<td width="10%" align="center"> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="77%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="50%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Average Cost of replacing one employee:</b></font></td>
<td width="50%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">$36,000</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="85%">
<tr>
<td width="15%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Productivity Rates (2000)</b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u><font
color="#FFFFFF">1st Qtr.</font></u></b></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u><font
color="#FFFFFF">2nd Qtr.</font></u></b></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u><font
color="#FFFFFF">3rd Qtr.</font></u></b></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u><font
color="#FFFFFF">4th Qtr.</font></u></b></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>1st
Qtr.<br>
2001</u></b></font></td>
<td width="15%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>2nd
Qtr.<br>
2001</u></b></font></td>
</center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="15%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
color="#FFFFFF" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">2.1%</font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
color="#FFFFFF" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">2.6%</font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
color="#FFFFFF" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">3.0%</font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" bgcolor="#0000FF"><font
color="#FFFFFF" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">2.2%</font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.1%</font></td>
<td width="15%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">2.01%</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="72%" bgcolor="#C0C0C0">
<tr>
<td width="25%">
<p align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"><b>Absentee Rates (annualized)</b></font></p>
</td>
<center>
<td width="19%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>1997</u></b></font></td>
<td width="20%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>1998</u></b></font></td>
<td width="20%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>1999</u></b></font></td>
<td width="20%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1"><b><u>2000</u></b></font></td>
</center>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="25%"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1"></font> </td>
<td width="19%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.5%</font></td>
<td width="20%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.6%</font></td>
<td width="20%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.7%</font></td>
<td width="20%" align="center"><font
face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">1.7%</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</body>
</html>