STRICTLY BUSINESS: ERIC SCOTT CONVERTS TO 30/40 WORKWEEK

The "quiet revolution" has worked its way into Eric Scott.

Effective in mid-May, employees at Eric Scott Leathers, a manufacturing company at Ste. Genevieve, began working innovative new shifts -- 6 to noon or noon to 6.

For most workers, the hours sound too good to be true, but they are a reality at Eric Scott.

"It's a new concept, a new operation system," said Joe Rozier, of Workforce Inc., a regional full-service employment company based in Farmington with branches at Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve and Perryville.

Rozier, director of placement for the Cape Girardeau office, is familiar with Eric Scott's new operating system.

"It's all part of a new concept known simply as 30/40," said Rozier. "Basically, what it means is that workers put in 30 hours, but get paid for 40, along with benefits."

The new operating system, said Rozier, is the brainchild of Ron Healey, founder and chief executive officer of 30/40/OS (Operating System) Co.

Healey founded his company three years ago, based on the premise that it is possible for companies to increase productivity, have lower turnover and instill higher morale in their employees by working fewer hours.

Healey and his 30/40/OS have become well known. They have been featured in US News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Christian Science Monitor. Some companies that have adopted the 30/40 plan have been featured on "Good Morning America" and "World News Tonight" television programs.

"What it amounts to," said Rozier, "is that employees put in six hours a day, rather than the traditional eight, and use their extra time to take care of more important things in their lives."

Like school plays, Little League games or other social functions. Like grocery shopping, golf, fishing, cleaning the house or an extra-long lunch.

After reading about Healey's philosophy, Ron Coleman decided to look into it.

Coleman, president of Eric Scott, invited Healey to Ste. Genevieve and Eric Scott.

With the assistance of the company's Human Resources Department, Healey assessed the unique needs of the manufacturing team at Eric Scott.

During a companywide meeting in late April, plans were announced to convert the factory's work schedule to the 30/40/ system.

Eric Scott is the first Missouri corporation to do away with the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. working schedule. Instead, there are two six-hour shifts, with the morning shift from 6 to noon, and the afternoon shift from noon to 6.

The operating system has two great benefits. Coleman said, "People will have more time to spend with their families, and we will be able to utilize our facility more efficiently."

"We feel this will be a win-win situation for all concerned," said Coleman.

Eric Scott has been in existence since 1985 and employs about 200 people.

During the past couple of years, a number of companies have converted to work/option policies.

Some firms have converted to a "weekend schedule," where workers work three 12-hour days -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday -- with four days -- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday -- off.

Others have converted to four 10-hour days, with three days off.

Limbaugh ratings up

Rush Limbaugh's ratings are up.

The Cape Girardeau native's radio talk show is the leader of radio talk shows across the nation, according to the latest Arbitron ratings.

This is despite a prediction by an industry trade publication Limbaugh's star was falling,.

Latest numbers show Limbaugh's program consistently polling larger numbers in virtually every major market.

Last month, "Talkers" magazine, a small tabloid hoping to become an industry trade publication, reported that Limbaugh's show had fallen behind both Laura Schlessinger's advice program and Howard Stern's show in some major markets.

The Arbitron books, which list radio ratings, reveal that Limbaugh averages are up, as much as three points, from the fall, and as much as much as five points for the hours preceding and following his time slots.

Limbaugh, a Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate who got his start in radio while in high school, is heard on more than 600 radio stations by an audience of up to 20 million people a week.

Limbaugh has spent some time refuting some of the misinformation spread by "Talkers."

The numbers are gospel now, "right out of the Arbitron books," said Limbaugh.

Limbaugh initiated his show in 1988.

B. Ray Owen is business editor for the Southeast Missourian.