COLUMBIA City, Indiana — For Robin Smith, the hard plastics company where she works has become a worker’s paradise since the work week was cut from 40 to 30 hours last May with no pay cut.

“I love it. I like spending more time with my family and less time at work and getting paid for it,” said the mother of three.

Hard Plastics is part of a growing number of US companies that are experimenting with the so-called “30/40” plan to replace the 40-hour working week.

Unlike in Europe, where cutting the working week is seen as a way to reduce unemployment, US companies see the 30/40 program mainly as a tool to increase productivity.

At the Hard Plastics plant, some 150 women employees work 6-hour daily for a 30-hour working week. And if they show up every day on time, they receive a 10-hour bonus for the week.

“But if you’re even one minute late, sorry Charlie, no bonus,” said Ronald Ronald Richey, the company’s president.

“We’re in a very low unemployment market here, 2.5 percent for the town—Whitley,” said Ronald Richey. “The idea was to draw more quality applicants.”

With 30/40, the company, which employs 325 people at two plants in Indiana and has yearly sales of US $30 million, has greatly broadened its applicant pool. Some 40 people apply every week, among them many with long years of work experience or even college degrees.

The idea was first put forward by industrial psychologist Ron Healey. He said more and more companies were expressing interest in his program and were even testing it.

61. According to the text, what is the “30/40”program?

A. An employee works 30 hours a week with 40 hours’ pay.

B. An employee works for 10 hours extra every week and gets paid.

C. A woman employee with a family has the right to work 30 hours a week.

D. A woman employee gets paid even if she stays at home during work hours.

62. A “30/40 plan” is being tested in Hard Plastics with an aim to _________.

A. let working women enjoy their family life             B. improve employees’ working conditions

C. reduce unemployment in Whitley                    D. raise the company’s productivity

63. We can learn from the text that with 30/40, the company is able to _______.

A. employ more women workers                   B. employ more college graduates

C. choose their employees from among more applicants

D. help the town in its effort to reduce unemployment

64. What would be the best title for the text?

A. Hard Plastics: a worker’s paradise       B. Ron Healey: his contribution to industrial psychology

C. 30/40 program: a better way to reduce unemployment D. US: shorter week produces more