EPA Workforce Questionnaire on Returning to the Workplace

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
5-20-2021 - ICR - Future of EPA Workplace.docx Supporting Statement A	2021-05-20

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
247539	EPA Workforce Questionnaire on Returning to the Workplace Other-Questionnaire	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2030-0050	ICR Reference No: 202105-2030-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OMS	Agency Tracking No: 2689.01
Title: EPA Workforce Questionnaire on Returning to the Workplace
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 05/21/2021
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 05/20/2021
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/20/2021
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2021	6 Months From Approved
Responses	18,000	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	4,500	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: EPA is collecting input from the EPA workforce, including Federal employees, as wells as detailees, interns, volunteers, contractors, grantees, and fellows. The purpose of the input is to understand the EPA workforce’s workplace concerns and to inform what flexibilities will be needed as we transition from temporary pandemic-related workplace flexibilities. We are also collecting information on what changes EPA may need to make to our pre-pandemic policies (e.g. telework and work schedules) incorporating what we have learned from our time away from the workplace during the pandemic.

Emergency Justfication: Pursuant to section 3507(j) of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), as implemented in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR §1320.13, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hereby requesting emergency processing of an information collection necessary to comply with the President’s Executive Order (EO) on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, and Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-21-15, COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace: Agency Model Safety Principles. EPA is seeking to collect information from EPA employees, contractors and grantee recipients as to what EPA’s post-reentry human resource policies and work environment should look like; how EPA can improve workplace safety, satisfaction and efficiency in the future; and what flexibilities are appropriate for the future of EPA’s work. Following the normal clearance procedures for approval of this information collection during the COVID-19 pandemic response will delay input the Agency has been asked to provide the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to inform the development of post-COVID policies and help inform EPA’s future work environment. EPA certifies the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.13(a) are met and it is vital for this collection to be implemented immediately because the information is necessary to protect EPA’s workforce during this pandemic and the delay caused by following normal clearance procedures would not allow us to consider this information in our designing EPA's return to the workplace polices.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
EPA Workforce Questionnaire on Returning to the Workplace

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	18,000	0	0	18,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,500	0	0	4,500	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection to collect the necessary information from detailees, interns, volunteers, grantee recipients, fellows and contractors who perform work for EPA to implement effective post-pandemic policies, including matters concerning telework, work schedules, leave, travel, information technology, and facilities.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Yes

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 05/20/2021

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