Overview
Title
Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is asking people to share their thoughts about a plan to ask workers about their jobs, like those who have temporary jobs or work through apps. They want to know if asking these questions is a good idea and if it’s easy for people to answer them.
Summary AI
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the Department of Labor, is asking for public comments on the proposed reinstatement of the Contingent Work Supplement (CWS) to the Current Population Survey (CPS), scheduled for May 2025. This survey focuses on temporary jobs, independent contractors, and workers using digital platforms for employment. The goal is to gather information on these work arrangements to help policymakers understand workforce trends. The Bureau is particularly interested in feedback on the necessity, utility, and burden of this data collection.
Abstract
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed reinstatement with change of the "Contingent Work Supplement (CWS) to the Current Population Survey (CPS)" to be conducted in May 2025. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the Addresses section of this notice.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), part of the Department of Labor, is a public notice requesting feedback on a proposed survey scheduled for May 2025. This survey is the Contingent Work Supplement (CWS) to the Current Population Survey (CPS), which aims to gather data on various forms of non-traditional work, such as temporary and independent contractual jobs, as well as employment via digital platforms. The objective is to provide policymakers with current and relevant workforce data.
Summary of the Document
The BLS seeks public comments on the reimplementation of the CWS. This survey was last conducted in July 2023, and the upcoming May 2025 iteration aims to include questions regarding digital labor platforms. These questions will provide insights into the nature of work facilitated through apps and platforms. The BLS encourages feedback on whether this data collection is essential, how accurate its estimated burdens are, and how it might improve or minimize respondent burden through advanced data collection technologies.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues emerge from the document. One concern is the clarity of the survey's intent. While the document mentions that the data will assist researchers and policymakers, it lacks specific examples of how this information will directly inform policy or decisions. This omission could lead to questions about the necessity and specificity of some data points being collected.
Another concern is the estimated time burden for respondents. The document suggests that each response will take approximately three minutes. This estimation might be optimistic, as respondents could need more time to comprehend and accurately respond to the questions, especially if they are not familiar with digital labor platform terminology.
Further, the document's language around digital labor platforms could present barriers due to its potential for ambiguity. Respondents who do not frequently engage with or fully understand these digital work environments might find the questions confusing, leading to inconsistent responses.
Moreover, the document does not sufficiently clarify how the new questions might affect the comparability of this survey's results with data from previous years. This could be a concern for stakeholders interested in tracking changes over time.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly, this document signifies a continued effort by the BLS to stay abreast of evolving work trends. For the general public, the survey may enhance understanding of changing work environments, though it could also place an additional time burden on respondents who participate.
For specific stakeholders, such as policymakers and researchers, the data could be invaluable in shaping future labor regulations or research studies. Accurate data on burgeoning work arrangements can directly influence labor policies to better protect and support workers in non-traditional roles.
However, if the survey's methodology and terminology are not adequately refined, workers participating in the survey might find themselves misrepresented or inadequately categorized, potentially leading to policies that do not fully address their needs or challenges.
Conclusion
In summary, while the document outlines a well-intentioned effort to capture modern labor trends, it highlights several areas that require further clarity and consideration. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback that addresses these various concerns, especially focusing on the survey's practical utility, its ability to minimize respondent burden effectively, and its precise impact on labor policy formulation. By doing so, the BLS can ensure that the 2025 CWS delivers valuable, actionable insights into the changing workforce landscape.
Issues
• The document does not specify how the data collected will be used beyond potential use by researchers and policy makers, which could raise questions about the necessity of the specific data points being collected.
• The estimated burden of 3 minutes per response might be underestimated for respondents who may require more time to understand and answer questions accurately, potentially requiring more in-depth feedback during the comment period.
• The language about digital labor platforms may not be clear to all respondents, especially those unfamiliar with the terminology or technology used in such work environments.
• The document lacks a detailed explanation of how the modest changes to the survey might impact the validity of comparisons with prior years' data, which could be a point of concern for data consistency over time.
• While the document mentions changes involving digital labor platform work, it does not specify the criteria for these platforms or the methodology to classify work as digital labor platform work, which could lead to ambiguity in data collection.