Local firms unveil global travel limits for staff

www.indystar.com By Gregory Weaver gregory.weaver@indystar.com March 21, 2003   In response to the war with Iraq, companies with business interests overseas are restricting international travel and moving employees out of harm's way. RCI, a provider of time-share condominiums throughout the world, imposed travel restrictions for its employees early Thursday, shortly after American missiles began pounding Baghdad. Company spokesman John R. Barrows said only "critical business travel" will be allowed to Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Venezuela. Last week, it relocated an employee based in Kuwait City. The company, with 1,100 workers in Carmel, also has other employees in the Middle East who currently are not considered at risk. However, it is making preparations to move them should that become necessary, Barrows said. "There's a surprising amount of business as usual in the areas surrounding Iraq," he said. "The airport in Kuwait City has continued to be open for commercial traffic, but we are following the lead of the (U.S.) government in terms of what areas are at risk." Joel Reuter, director of communications at Roche Diagnostics, was called back early from an overseas trip Wednesday as his employer also decided to restrict international travel. He and an Indianapolis co-worker were among 24 Roche employees from throughout the United States who were quickly called home. Reuter and his colleague were in Switzerland near Roche's worldwide headquarters to discuss business plans for the coming year. The medical device maker, with 2,500 workers in Indianapolis, is restricting all noncritical international business travel as a precaution. Reuter said improvements made in Roche's travel tracking system in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks facilitated the quick recall. "We have new software in place that makes it easy to determine in real time where everyone is -- which is critical in these times," he said. He said the company will encourage the increased use of video and telephone conferencing to accomplish some international business. Other businesses -- including Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. -- have remained under similar international travel restrictions since the terrorist attacks in 2001. "There are circumstances where you would prefer to meet face to face, but it can be done another way," said Lilly spokeswoman Joan Todd. "We would look to see if there were other ways to accomplish the same end."

Call Star reporter Gregory Weaver at 1-317-444-6415.