Attachment 4a

Dear [Respondent Name],

For more than 20 years, the information you have provided to the Bureau of Labor Statistics NLS Survey has helped researchers better understand the needs of your generation. Today, as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, your data and the research it supports are more crucial than ever. We understand that, like most Americans in these unprecedented times, you may be worried about your loved ones, your health and your financial security.

You should have received a letter inviting you to participate in a brief online survey about how the pandemic has affected your work, health and family. This survey is available at www.nlscovidsurvey.com/individualizedlink if you wish to complete the survey now. You may also call us toll-free at XXX-XXX-XXXX if you would like to complete the survey over the phone. The average time to take the NLS COVID survey supplement is about 12 minutes to complete. Once completed, you will receive a code to obtain a $XX gift in appreciation for your time. This survey doesn’t replace the usual interview that you complete every other year, but it will provide an important update about how the pandemic is affecting Americans of your age.

As always please know that your privacy and confidentiality and security are our number one priority. We follow the federal laws that govern the confidentiality of survey respondents, as well as additional policies and procedures that ensure your answers are safeguarded. Please see the bottom of this email for more information about privacy and confidentiality.

Thank you for your continued contribution during these extraordinary times.

Sincerely,

Mark Ross

NORC at the University of Chicago, on Behalf of the Bureau of Labor Statistics

This email contains confidential information. If you believe you are not the intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender and delete this email without disclosing, copying, or further disseminating its contents.

Thank you for participating in the NLS COVID Survey being conducted by NORC on behalf of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The survey is voluntary – there are no penalties for not answering any question.

The survey is authorized under Title 29, Section 2, of the United States Code. We estimate the average interview will take about 12 minutes to complete. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has approved the questionnaire and has assigned 1220-0157 as the survey’s control number. This control number expires on 8/31/2022. Without OMB approval and this number, we would not be able to conduct this survey. If you have any comments regarding this survey or recommendations for reducing its length, send them to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Longitudinal Surveys, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20212.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (44 U.S.C. 3572) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent. 

BLS may release records to a contractor to compile non-individually identifiable data for use by the general public and federal agencies for research purposes. BLS may provide geographic information to researchers to conduct specific research projects which further the mission and functions of the agency. Such authorized researchers must sign a written agreement making them official agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and requiring them to protect the confidentiality of survey participants. These researchers are never provided with the personal identities of participants.