STRICTLY BUSINESS: MOST HAPPY WITH THEIR JOB

Most employed Americans are satisfied with their jobs and employers.

That's the census of a recent nationwide telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.

A lot attention has been given to "job-hopping" over the past decade, says Diane O'Meally. "But the fact is that people are pleased with their jobs and many workers have found that the grass is not always greener with a new employer."

O'Meally should know about things like that. She is president of AOC, an international financial staffing and recruiting firm, headquarters on the east coast.

The survey, commissioned by OAC, asked a simple question.

"Do you plan on looking for a new job in 2001?"

Seventy-five percent of American workers said "NO!"

A surprisingly low 23 percent do plan on searching the help-wanted ads, and 2 percent are unsure.

However, in the 18-to-24 age bracket, almost half (43 percent) plan on job hunting. And in the 25-44 bracket, about a fourth of the workers are looking.

Employees needed

Meanwhile, the demand for new employees remains at high levels.

Missouri's unemployment rate increased to 3.2 percent in December, three-tenths of a percentage point above the revised November rate, as a result of seasonal employment declines and the effects of unseasonably cold weather, but overall, the state's unemployment rate remained relatively low in 2000, averaging approximately 2.8 percent for the year despite slight seasonal increases in the fourth quarter.

Nationally, the unemployment rate is still under 4 percent.

Company hiring plans for the first quarter of this year remain strong, according to the quarterly Employment Outlook Survey of Manpower, Inc., a global leader of staffing solutions.

Results of the national survey of 16,000 business firms indicate that 27 percent expect further hiring early this year, 10 percent plan staffing decreases, 58 percent anticipate no change and 5 percent are uncertain.

Cape County numbers

Cape Girardeau County, which has the largest city -- Cape Girardeau -- in the Southeast Missouri area, and more than 90 manufacturing facilities, has averaged under 3 percent unemployment over the past two years.

The county, with ranks among the top 12 in manufacturing, reported employment of 38,315 for December and an out-of-work force of 39,289, for a 2.5 unemployment rate. Also low in unemployment is the adjoining northern county, Perry, with a 2.4 unemployment.

Cape County averaged 97.6 employment during 2000, which is down from the 2.7 unemployment average of 1999.

The workforce and jobs have increased in Cape County during the 1990s.

The labor force totaled 32,877 in 1991, down from the 29,289 workforce of December 2000. Jobs have increased even more, with 38,315 people working in the county in December, compared to 30,998 in 1991.

Statewide, more than 2.8 million Missourian had jobs in December. About 96,000 workers were jobless, but employment increased in the state by 31,000.

Total non-farm payroll employment in the state decreased by nearly 8,000 jobs in December in spite of a 4,800-job gain in the retail sector. The largest seasonal decline occurred in construction, down by more than 10,000 jobs, due to the severe wintry weather.

Illinois numbers

Hiring for the holiday season kept unemployment figures under normal in Southern Illinois.

Alexander and Pulaski counties were both under double-figures, at 8.6 and 8.4 percent. Massac County, home of Players Casino, was at 5 percent, and Union County logged in at 6.4 percent unemployment.

Statewide, Illinois unemployment was at 4.5 percent, with a 5.4 percent reading in Chicago, which has a 2.7 million workforce.

Heard on the street

Denny's is on again.

Denny's Restaurant has submitted plan for a restaurant here. The company has filed its plan with the Cape Girardeau Division of Inspection Services office.

Denny's will eventually occupy the former Shoney's Restaurant building.

Wehrenberg Inc. has field a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Wehrenberg Inc. is the theatre-operating subsidiary of Fred Wehrenberg Circuit of Theatre.

"Our guest will not notice any difference when visit our theatres," said Ronald P. Krueger, chairman and Co-CEO of Wehrenberg Inc.

Wehrenberg has closed seven theatres five in St. Louis, two in Flagstaff, Az., and one in Springfield, Mo.

Wehrenberg, which operates the 14-Cine here, is the nation's oldest family owned and operated circuit of theatres.

Barton's of Cape Girardeau, and building supply and home center, is closing at 4680 State Highway 74.

E. C. Barton & Company, headquartered in Jonesboro, Ark., purchased the Cape Girardeau business in 1998, from Herb Annis of Cape Girardeau.

Barton stores will open at Sikeston, Portageville, Kennett and Malden, said a spokesman from Barton headquarters.