2018 BLS Stakeholder Outreach Survey

Specifications for Stakeholder Survey

Introduction

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.

As an independent statistical agency, BLS serves its diverse user communities by providing products and services that are accurate, objective, relevant, timely, and accessible. Data and publications can be found on the BLS website (www.bls.gov).

The goal of this survey is to collect feedback from users and potential users of BLS data. The information collected will be used to improve the usefulness of BLS data and help determine future priorities.

Please complete this survey even if you do not currently use BLS data.   If you have problems completing the survey, please contact Bill Mockovak. 

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.  Please click Next below to begin the survey.
 
This voluntary study is being conducted under OMB Clearance Number 1225-0088 (Expiration Date: October 31, 2020).  Without this currently-approved number, we could not conduct this survey.  We estimate that it will take on average 15 minutes to complete this survey. Please note that this survey is being administered by SurveyMonkey.com and resides on a server outside of the BLS domain.  The BLS cannot guarantee the protection of survey responses and advises against the inclusion of personally-identifiable information--such as your full name, phone number, e-mail address, etc.--in any response.

1. Do you use BLS data?

   • Yes

   • No (skip to non-customers)

   • Don’t know (skip to non-customers)

2. For which of the following purposes do you use BLS data? (Mark all that apply)

• Business analysis or forecasting

• Career Counseling/Career Planning/Job search

• Contract Escalation

• Deflation

• Instruction and education

• Legal

• Negotiating contracts (for example, setting wages/pay)

• News reporting

• Policy analysis

• Research

• Other; specify _______

3. How often do you access data from the BLS website (www.BLS.gov)?

• Never – I get BLS data from a different source

• Once a year or less

• 2-3 times a year

• 4-12 times a year

• More than 12 times per year

4. How useful are each of the following levels of geographic detail to you?

Not at A little Somewhat Very

All Useful Useful Useful Useful

1. National

2. States or Regions

3. MSAs

4. Counties

5. Other

5. How useful are each of the following levels of industry detail to you?

Not at A little Somewhat Very

All Useful Useful Useful Useful

a. Major sectors (for example, total economy,

business, private, goods producing, service

providing)

b. Industry sectors (for example, mining,

construction, manufacturing, wholesale

trade, retail trade, transportation and

warehousing, information, financial

activities, professional and business services, etc.)

c. Detailed industries within industry

sectors (for example, motor vehicles

and parts, temporary help services,

health care, and food services and drinking places)

d. Other – please specify

W

6. How useful to you is it to have data published at the following frequencies?

Not at A little Somewhat Very

All Useful Useful Useful Useful

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other - specify

7. Which of the BLS data series listed below do you use?

Employment & Earnings

	Yes, I use this	No, but I am aware that these data exist	No, and I am not familiar with these data
Employment - Current Employment Statistics (CES)
State and area employment hours and earnings (CES)
Real earnings
Unemployment rate – Current Population Survey (CPS)
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)
Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)
Business Employment Dynamics (BED)
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
Occupational Projections
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Time Use – American Time Use Survey (ATUS)

Prices

	Yes, I use this	No, but I am aware that this these data exist	No, and I am not familiar with these data
Consumer Prices - Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Producer Prices - Producer Price Index (PPI)
Consumer Expenditure Survey (Quarterly or Diary)
Import and Export Prices (IPP)

Employer Costs, Benefits & Working Conditions/Injuries

Compensation costs – Employment Cost Index (ECI)
Employer Costs - Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC)
Benefits (National Compensation Survey/NCS)
Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS)
Injuries and Illnesses (Survey of Occupational Illnesses & Injuries)
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)

Productivity

Labor Productivity
Multifactor Productivity

7. A. In a previous question, you identified employment & earnings data series that you use. What is the most important improvement that you would like to see made to each of the data series listed below? (Leave the item blank if you have no improvements to suggest)

- Previously Checked Items Will Appear Here -

7. B. In a previous question, you identified Prices data series that you use. What is the most important improvement that you would like to see made to each of the data series listed below? (Leave the item blank if you have no improvements to suggest)

- Previously Checked Items Will Appear Here –

7. C. In a previous question, you identified Employer Costs, Benefits & Working Conditions/Injuries data series that you use. What is the most important improvement that you would like to see made to each of the data series listed below?  (Leave the item blank if you have no improvements to suggest)

- Previously Checked Items Will Appear Here -

7. D. In a previous question, you identified Productivity data series that you use. What is the most important improvement that you would like to see made to each of the data series listed below? (Leave the item blank if you have no improvements to suggest)

- Previously Checked Items Will Appear Here -

8. A. Do you think there are other topics that BLS should be emphasizing now or in the future?

• Yes (skip to B)

• No

B. Please list the topics below.

[Skip to Q11]

Non-Customers

9. Why do you not currently use BLS data? (Check all that apply)

• I was unaware of the data

• Data have no application to my work

• Data are not available for the industry or sector I require

• I have concerns about data accuracy

• Data are not current enough for my needs

• Data are not explained and/or presented clearly

• Data are difficult to locate or web pages are difficult to navigate

• Data are not in the file format I need

• Other; specify _______

10. Which category below best describes the organization at which you work or study?

• Chamber of Commerce

• Data supplier/Repackager

• Financial institution

• Government – local

• Government - state

• Government - federal

• Industry or trade association

• Internet blog

• Labor union

• News media

• Non-profit

• Non-U.S. Government, or international organization

• Private business, not listed above

• Private citizen

• Research organization

• University or college

• Other (please specify)

11. Any comments you care to make about BLS data products or areas of research emphasis are welcome.

Thank you for your help!