U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Redesigning Data Collection
Strategies for Cost-Reduction in
Two Bureau of Labor Statistics
Surveys
Michael A. Searson
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
International Conference on Establishment Surveys
Montréal , Canada
June 2007
Quarterly Census of Employment
and Wages (QCEW) Program
Fed/State Cooperative Statistical Program



2
Program started with the passage of Federal
Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)
BLS provides funding, deliverables, manuals,
guidelines, and methodologies to State agencies
States collect & edit data (decentralized
approach)
QCEW Statistics
th
4
Quarter 2006 Stats:
• 8.9 Million establishments
• 135.9 Million employment
• $1.516 Trillion Wages
3
Data Coverage
• 98 Percent of all non-farm
salary Workers in the U.S.
• 45 Percent of U.S. Agricultural
Workers.
4
Data Sources for the
CEW Program
• Primary
Administrative Records of the State Workforce
Agencies - UI Tax departments.
• Secondary
Supplemental forms designed by BLS to meet
additional program statistical needs. These
are administered by the State LMI staff.
5
QCEW Collection Forms
• Status Determination
• Quarterly Contribution Report
• Annual Refiling Survey (ARS)
• Multiple Worksite Report (MWR)
• Report of Federal Employment &
Wages
6
Status Determination Form (SDF)
• Used to determine an employer’s
liability for Unemployment Insurance
• Basis for initial assignment of
industrial, geographic and ownership
codes
• Mandatory for employers to file
• Initial source of UI Tax and physical
location addresses
7
Status Determination Form
Issues
Expected economic activities may change over
time
Limited space on SDF for:
- economic activity information
- physical location addresses (PLA)
- geographical location information
Increasing volume of SDFs
State staff knowledge
One-Stop Business Registration
- impacts access & quality of initial industry code
information





8
Purpose of ARS
Review and Update (if necessary)
• Mailing & Physical Location
addresses
• County code
• Single/multi-worksite status
• Industry code (NAICS)
9
Annual Refiling Survey (ARS)
About the Form:
• BLS designed (standardized)
• Mandatory in 23 States
• 1/3 of Universe reviewed annually
(historically)
• Sample based on 7th & 8th digit of EIN
• Verification System
• Minimum 75% response rate in units or
80% employment for States
10
ARS - Key Points
ARS updates are impacted by quality and
processing of SDF information
•
•
•
•
Space provided on form
Staff training
Data omissions - PLA
Limited access
Multi-state employers receive ARS forms for
each state where they have employees
11
Growth in Establishments Exceeds
the Increase in Funds for the States
Survey of Staff Time Usage:
Data Collection and Review
ARS
MWR
Total
12
%
22
12
34
Survey Costs
• Printing - Forms, Cover Letters, Flyers
• Handling - Folding, Stuffing, Opening,
Scanning, Filing
• Postage
Out & Return
$ .41
$ .56
• Review
• Data Entry - Response code and updates,
if necessary
13
Strategy to Cut Costs
• Reduce scope of survey
• Stretch survey to 4 year cycle
• Touch-tone Response System (TRS)
• Contracting out ARS data collection
• Fax collection
• Web collection
• Central review by BLS staff
14
Three ARS Collection Forms
1. NVS – Single worksite accounts
2. NVM – Multiple worksite accounts
3. NCA – Unclassified accounts
15
ARS Scope Cutbacks
Recent budgetary cutbacks lead to the
following changes in the ARS Survey:
• Size cuts have eliminated businesses with 0,
1, and 2 employees from being surveyed
• Government accounts are not surveyed
• Private Households are not surveyed
• Move from 3 to 4 year cycle
16
Matrix Analysis Approach
Number of Alternative Survey Options
Evaluate based on “Boxes” Checked
Other Factors:
• Some alternative strategies may save $, but take a
long time to implement
• Some not so cost-effective but easy to implement
• Some strategies may require more follow-up for nonresponse, thus reducing total cost savings
17
Potential ARS Collection Methods
Impact on Survey Processes, Activities,
and Costs
X
File
Data Entry
Review
Data
X
Sort
X
X
Scan
FAX
Web
Colleciton
Central
Collection
CARS Phase I
CARS Phase II
X
Open
TDE (TRS)
Return
Out
Handling
Method
Print
Postage
Response
Assign
Process
Handling Returned Forms
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Touchtone Response System
(TRS)
• Eligible employers have the option to
call a toll-free number to respond to
the survey
• Eliminates return postage and manual
processing and review
19
TRS Eligibility
• Single worksite employers
• Valid NAICS code
• Specific county code assigned
• Good physical location address
20
TRS Facts
2002
- 6 test States
2003
- Expanded to 40 States
2004
- All States
- 378,000 Responses
2005
- 473,000 Responses
2006
- 541,000 Responses
2007*
- 382,000 Responses
*Survey Still Active
21
TRS normally accounts for 31% of total ARS
responses
TRS Lessons Learned
• System works very well
• States advise us via e-mail if respondents
indicate problem with TRS; few problems to date
• Touch-tone phones set to “pulse” mode, rather
than “tone” mode will not work with TRS
• Use of Cellular telephones by respondents can
create a problem
• States and National Office MUST be on the
same time line for mailing out TRS eligible forms
22
CARS
X
File
Data Entry
Review
Data
X
Sort
X
X
Scan
FAX
Web
Colleciton
Central
Collection
CARS Phase I
CARS Phase II
X
Open
TDE (TRS)
Return
Out
Handling
Method
Print
Postage
Response
Assign
Process
Handling Returned Forms
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Central Annual Refiling Survey
(CARS)
• Commercial vendor prints cover letters, flyers,
and envelopes
• Inserts all materials and mails
• Opens returned ARS forms
• Sorts responses into different groups based on
employer responses
• Provide electronic files of responding firms (to
note receipt)
• Return ARS forms for states to review
• Use software to reduce outgoing postage costs
24
ARS Contracting Issues:
• All States mailing at the same time
would require additional TRS
equipment and phone lines
• Coordination with third-party
(contractor) increases potential risks
25
CARS Cost Reduction
•
•
•
26
Postage: Uses National Change of Address
and Mailstream refinement process- average
outgoing mail cost $.34. Normal postage $.41
Business Reply Mail (BRM) averaged $.45, will
be reduced to $.37 when High Volume QBRM
postal service is used. Normal fee as much as
$1.10
ARS Processing: CARS FY 07 processing
costs is $.55 per respondent (excluding
postage) to print, stuff, mail, receive, scan and
batch NVS (single) forms. This figure involves
three (3) ARS mailings, if necessary
FY 2007 CARS Changes
• All States used same (generic) TRS
Flyer to standardize printing
• Expanded from 12 to 22 States
• Tightened processing schedule
27
Future Plans
FY 2008
• Use generic state cover letters
• Expect to increase to 28 states
• Processing schedule shortened
28
Future Plans
FY 2009
• Imaging of returned forms with some
updates
• New contract to include printing of
NVM and NCA forms
29
Old NVS Form (Double Sided)
BLS 3023-NVS
9
Industry Verification Form, BLS 3023 NVS
Form Approved, O.M.B. No. 1220-0032
1
UTANA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY
In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor
This report is mandatory under Section 320.5 of the Utana Unemployment Insurance Code and
Section 320-1 Title 22 of the Utana Code of Regulations, and is authorized by law,
29 U.S.C. 2. Your cooperation is needed to make the results of this survey complete, accurate,
and timely.
1
3
2
Our records show that the main activity of the business using U.I. number
1234567890 in UTANA is:
Furnishing customized investment advice to clients on a fee basis but do not have the authority to
execute trades. Primary activities performed by establishments in this industry are providing
financial planning advice and investment counseling to meet the goals and needs of specific
clients. EXAMPLES: futures advisory services, investment advisory services, and investment
research.
The questions on this form concern the work location(s) using Unemployment Insurance account number
1234567890 IN UTANA.
593930
XYZ ADVISORS
ATTN: MARY CAPPS
1310 SILVER STREET
4TH FLOOR
SOMECITY UA 12345-5555
10
 YES…Please SKIP to Item 12
 NO….Continue with Item 11
11
3
4
1
We need the name and direct mailing address for the business using this Unemployment Insurance account, regardless of who prepares
the form. This information does not affect mailings for tax purposes. Are the name and mailing address shown in Item 2 correct for the
business using this Unemployment Insurance account?
In addition to your mailing address, please tell us where your business is physically located (street and number). The physical location
address is the place where you conduct your business and receive deliveries, so it cannot be a Post Office Box or a rural route number.
The physical location address for the STATENAMEXXXXX location is MISSING from our records.
Please enter physical location here. (DO NOT use P.O. Box or rural route number.)
CITY, STATE
& ZIP:
[ ] Same as mailing address
[ ] Business has employees but no physical location in STATENAMEXXXXX
5
1
6
1
1
12
8
1
______%
100%
Name of person to contact if we have questions about this report. (Please print)
14
///
PLEASE CONTINUE WITH ITEM 9 ON THE BACK OF THIS PAGE.
OFFICE USE FY02
11/12/01
AUX
NAICS
CTY
TWN4
OWN MEEI
AT
---210-6282-5-523930—110-0720--5---1---1
CTY
TWN
AUX
Date:
_______________________________________________________ Fax: (________)_________________________
Please be sure to answer Items 9-11.
Please place your completed form in the postage paid envelope provided and return it
to the address in Item 14 within 14 days of receiving it. Thank you for your cooperation!
YES
(One physical location)….Continue with Item 9 on the back
NO (More than one physical location)..…. Please attach a separate sheet. For each site, (1) list physical location address, (2) show
number of employees, and (3) answer Items 6 and 9 - 11. Continue with Item 9
NAICS
___________________________________________________________________________________________
13
Does the business using Unemployment Insurance account 1234567890 IN UTANA
have only one physical location in this state? (Do not count client sites or offsite projects that will last less than a year.)
SIC
______%
activities
If you are a third party agent, such as an accounting firm or payroll service, check here. 
YES…Please enter your website address here. __________________________________________….Continue with Item 8
NO…..Continue with Item 8
EMPL
______%
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Title:
Does this business have a website?


___________________________________________________________________________________________
important
Name: ______________________________________ Phone: (________)_______________________
_________________
According to our records, the business operating under Unemployment Insurance account 1234567890
in Utana mainly provides goods and services to the general public. Is this correct?
("The general public" includes individual consumers, other businesses, and organizations.)


List most
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Is the following information correct for the address in Item 4? UTANA COUNTY: WATERCRESS

YES…Continue with Item 6

NO…..Please print corrections in this space and then continue with Item 6
[ ] YES, we MAINLY provide goods and services to the general public
[ ] NO, we are part of a larger company and we MAINLY support other locations of OUR company
7
We need detailed information to assign the correct industry code to this business. In the space provided below, describe your main
business activities, goods, products, or services in this state, as though you were telling a prospective employee what you do. Then give us
the approximate percentage of sales or revenues resulting from each item. See examples below. Percentages should total 100%. If you
are a third party agent for the business named in Item 2, such as a payroll service or accountant, please review Items 9-11 with your client.
Goods or products: What are they, and what do you do with them? Do you design, manufacture, sell directly to consumers, distribute to
wholesalers, install, repair, or do something else with them? What are these goods or products made of?
EXAMPLE 1: Major appliances: Sell to public 40%; Sell to retailers 30%; Repair 30% EXAMPLE 2: Install fiber optic cable 100%
Manufacturers: What are your main products? What are your most important materials? What are the main production methods?
EXAMPLE: Weaving cotton broadwoven fabrics 80%; Spinning cotton threads 20%
Services: Describe in detail the services you provide. To whom do you provide those services? If you offer consulting,
brokerage,
management, or similar services, what are your major activities?
EXAMPLE 1: Hair cutting & styling 65%; Manicures 25%; Facials 10% EXAMPLE 2: Long distance trucking, less than truckload 100%
EXAMPLE 3: Marketing consulting: Planning strategy 60%, Sales forecasting 40% EXAMPLE 4: Cleaning private homes 100%
Construction or Building Trades: Is the work mostly residential or nonresidential? Single- or multi-family? New or remodeling?
EXAMPLE: Electrical contractor: Wiring new homes 51%; Electrical refurbishing of office buildings 49%

YES...
NO
Please print corrections or additions to the right of the printed address in Item 2.
 ............COMPANY PERMANENTLY OUT OF BUSINESS OR MOVED OUT OF UTANA
........................................ ........Enter date closed or moved: _____________________________ SKIP to Item 9 on the back of this
form
NUMBER &
STREET: ______________________________________
______________________________________
While you may not do everything listed above, does the information in Item 9 accurately describe the main business in Utana
during the past 12 months? (If the business has been closed, sold, or moved out of this state, please answer in terms of its former activity.)
RC
For questions concerning this form, contact:
UTANA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY
DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS – ES-202
12345 CENTER STREET, ROOM 200
SOMECITY, UA 12345-9876
INTERNET: http://www.utana.dol.gov
PHONE: 1-123-321-4321
FAX:
123-321-4421
Purpose and Use: The purpose of this report is to update information on your products or services. The information will be used to ensure that we assign the correct North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) code to this business location, and that our records contain the correct name and address. The information collected on this form by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics and the State agencies cooperating in its statistical programs will be used for statistical and Unemployment Insurance program purposes, and other purposes in accordance with law.
Time of Completion: Time of completion is estimated to vary from 2 to 30 minutes with an average of 5 minutes per form. This estimate includes time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this information. If you have any comments regarding these estimates, or any other aspect of
this survey, send them to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Occupational and Administrative Statistics (NVS), Room 4840, 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20212.
You are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number.
///
Fax Collection
X
File
Data Entry
Review
Data
X
Sort
X
X
Scan
FAX
Web
Colleciton
Central
Collection
CARS Phase I
CARS Phase II
X
Open
TDE (TRS)
Return
Out
Handling
Method
Print
Postage
Response
Assign
Process
Handling Returned Forms
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fax Collection Issues
• Limited records with fax numbers
• Must verify fax number before faxing
forms (2x fax)
• Fax number maintenance on 3 year
cycle, more on 4 year cycle
• Too costly for data entry
33
Web Collection
X
File
Data Entry
Review
Data
X
Sort
X
X
Scan
FAX
Web
Colleciton
Central
Collection
CARS Phase I
CARS Phase II
X
Open
TDE (TRS)
Return
Out
Handling
Method
Print
Postage
Response
Assign
Process
Handling Returned Forms
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Web Collection Issues
• Employers not familiar with ARS form
(only surveyed every 3 to 4 years)
• Web registration process would take
longer for the employer than filling out
the form.
35
Quarterly Contribution Report
(QCR)
Mandatory State Form
•
•
•
•
•
36
Monthly Employment
Total Quarterly Wages
Taxable Wages
Contributions Due
UI Staff responsibility
Multiple Worksite Report
Purpose:
Distribute employment and wage information
reported at State level on QCR (tax report) to
individual worksites of employer within that
State.
Also collect business identification information
(trade name, physical location address and
worksite description) for users of BLS Business
Register as a sampling frame or longitudinal
analysis.
37
Multiple Worksite Report (MWR)
• Standardized BLS Form
• Mandatory in 26 States
• Disaggregate Statewide employment &
wages on QCR
• More than 1 location and/or industry in State
• 128,000 Legal Entities with 1.4 M worksites
• 18% of units on BEL
• 38% of Total Employment
• Emphasis on Electronic Collection
38
MWR Facts
• States collect MWR data each calendar
quarter – decentralized approach
• Forms mailed to employer at end of each
quarter
• Due to State 30 days after the quarter
ends
39
Sample MWR Form
U.I. NUMBER:
1234567890 IN UTANA
PAGE
2 OF
2
Multiple Worksite Report - BLS 3020
INSTRUCTIONS
Form Approved, O.M.B. No. 1220-0134
In Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor
STATE OF UTANA
1 OF
2
This report is authorized by law, 29 U.S.C. 2. Your voluntary cooperation is needed
to make the results of this survey complete, accurate, and timely. The totals on this
form must match the corresponding totals on your Employer’s Quarterly Contribution
Report (Form QCR-1234).
1
2
3
PAGE
ABC ENTERPRISES
ATTN: STEPHEN SMITH
SPECIAL EVENT CATERERS
1234 MAIN STREET
SUITE 123
SOMECITY UA 98345-6789
WORKSITES
OFFICE
USE
QUARTERLY REPORT INFORMATION
:
U.I. NUMBER
QUARTER ENDING :
:
DUE DATE
SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BACK OF
00001
000002
722320
001
SPECIAL EVENT CATERERS
345 LEXINGTON BLVD
RICHMOND UA 98657
00002
000010
722320
003
SPECIAL EVENT CATERERS
459 OX ROAD, SUITE 209
DANVILLE UA 98778-0004
GRADUATION PARTY CATERING
00003
000005
722320
005
SPECIAL EVENT CATERERS
Address Unknown –- Please Provide
00004
000150
722320
007
SPECIAL EVENT CATERERS
2097 WASHINGTON AVE
SPOKANE UA 98349-3754
SPOKANE SUPPLY/STORAGE FACILITY
Please update address and contact
information in the address block shown
at the left.
*********************
*MWR WEB INFORMATION*
*ID: 123456789012 *
*Password: 99999999 *
THIS PAGE
*********************
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
BUSINESS NAME (division, subsidiary, etc)
STREET ADDRESS (physical location)
CITY, STATE, AND ZIP CODE
WORKSITE DESCRIPTION (plant name, store number, etc)
1234567890
JUNE 30, 2005
JULY 31, 2005
(subject to UI laws)
During the Pay Period Which Includes
the 12th of the Month
APR
MAY
JUN
QUARTERLY
WAGES
OF WORKSITE
(subject to UI laws)
Round to the nearest dollar
.00
COMMENTS:
.00
COMMENTS:
.00
COMMENTS:
.00
COMMENTS:
.00
COMMENTS:
DUE DATE: Please return this form or a computer-generated facsimile by JULY 31, 2005
Please follow these steps to prepare your Multiple Worksite Report. Contact the Agency listed in Step 5 if you have any
questions or if you need additional information, or see http://www.bls.gov/cew/cewmwr00.htm.
1. Review the business name, contact name, and mailing address and make any necessary corrections (Section 2).
2. The Worksites list (Section 3) shows the individual worksites (business locations) that appear in our files for this U.I.
Number. Please read across the row for each worksite and do the following:
 NAME/ADDRESS/DESCRIPTION: Review the name and physical location address for each worksite and make any
necessary corrections. Review the description below the physical location to be sure it uniquely identifies each
worksite (plant name, store number, etc.). If there is no printed description, please enter a unique identifier for the site.
 EMPLOYMENT: Enter employment for each month of the quarter. Employment is the total number of full- and parttime employees who worked during or received pay for the pay period which includes the 12th of the month.
Include all employees who were subject to Unemployment Insurance laws.
 WAGES: Enter wages paid during the quarter that are subject to State Unemployment Insurance laws, including the
portion that exceeds the State's taxable wage base. Round wages to the nearest dollar.
 COMMENTS: Explain any large changes in employment or wages. Changes might result from store closings, strikes,
layoffs, bonuses, seasonal increases or decreases, or similar events.
 CLOSED OR SOLD: If a worksite has been sold, closed, or is otherwise inactive, use the Comments section to show:
(a) the date closed or sold; (b) if sold, the name of the company that bought the business at that worksite; and (c) the
purchaser's U.I. Number, if you know it.
3. Is the list in Section 3 complete? That is, does the business operate any worksites using this U.I. Number that do not
appear on the form, such as newly-opened worksites or newly-acquired worksites?
MISSING WORKSITES: Provide the following information for each additional worksite. You may use available blank
lines or attach a separate page. If you are not sure how to report a worksite or employee, please call the office listed in
Step 5 of these instructions.
a.
The business name, street or physical location address (NO POST OFFICE BOXES), city, state, and zip code
b.
A unique description or identifier for each worksite (e.g., plant name, store number, or similar description)
c.
The number of employees for each month of the quarter, and quarterly wages
d.
The county, township, city, independent city, or similar geographic area in which the worksite is located
e.
The main business activity at the worksite
In addition, if you purchased any of these worksites from another company, please provide:
f.
The name of the company that sold the worksite
g.
The effective date of the sale, and
h.
The seller's U. I. Number, if you know it.
4. Complete the Totals section at the end of the list. For each month, sum the number of employees at all worksites. Then
sum the wages for the quarter at all worksites. Except for rounding, these figures MUST agree with the totals on your
Quarterly Contributions Report.
5. Using the enclosed envelope, return your completed form to:
UTANA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY
DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS - QCEW
12345 CENTER STREET, ROOM 200
SOMECITY, UA 12345-9876
PHONE: 1-123-321-4321
FAX: 123-321-4421
.00
PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT
COMMENTS:
Note: The totals MUST agree (except
for rounding) with your Form QCR-1234.
TOTALS |
|
|
|
.00
----------------------------------------------------
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT PERSON (for questions regarding this report).
INTERNET: http://www.utana.dol.gov
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please print.
NAME: __________________________________________
TITLE: ______________________________________________
VOICE PHONE: (____)______________ Ext.__________
FAX NUMBER: (____)______________
DATE: _____________
This Multiple Worksite Report (MWR) collects employment and wages by individual work location in this State. If you operate businesses from more than
one location under the Unemployment Insurance Account Number (U.I. Number) shown above, the MWR supplements your Quarterly Contributions
Report. Data from the MWR enable our agency to monitor and analyze conditions of business activities by geographic area and industry in this State.
The information collected on this form by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the State agencies cooperating in its statistical programs will be used for
statistical and Unemployment Insurance program purposes, and other purposes in accordance with law.
TIME OF COMPLETION
We estimate that this form will take from 10 minutes to 60 minutes to complete per response, with an average of 22 minutes. This includes time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing this information. If you
have any comments regarding these estimates or any other aspect of this form, send them to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Administrative
Statistics and Labor Turnover, Room 4840, 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20212. You are not required to respond to the collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number.
MWR Web Collection
• 4 “test” States in 1Q 2006
• Limited solicitation
• Expanded to all “eligible” employers
in 3Q 2006 in test states
• Expanded:
• 18 States in 4Q 2006
• 27 States in 1Q 2007
• 30+ States in 2Q 2007
41
MWR Web Results to Date
42
Quarter
Employers
Worksites
3Q 2006
920
6300
4Q 2006
2000
13229
1Q 2007
3255
20384
Key Web Collection Factors
Factor
Collection mode
Collection mode
(cont.)
Collection Frequency
Employer Familiar
With Form
43
ARS
MWR
Paperdecentralized
(States)
Paper-decentralized
(States)
-Annually- once
every 3 years (4)
No
Electronic-centralized
(EDI Center)
Quarterly
Yes
Central MWR Electronic
Processing Facility
• EDI Center, based in Chicago, IL, is a
facility designed to collect data
electronically from large, national firms
• In 4Q 2006 100 enterprises
encompassing:
•
•
•
•
44
210,469 worksites
8 million employees
7640 Legal entities (EINs) – Federal
9400 Legal entities (UINs) - State
Strategies to Reduce MWR Data
Collection and Processing Costs
1. EDI Center
• Expand collection to include more large, national
companies and move into medium sized employer
market
2. MWRweb
• Expand collection to include all States and small to
mid-sized multi-unit employers
3. MWR Paper Form
• Utilize a contractor to create a Central MWR
Processing Facility (similar to CARS) in FY 2009
• Use a scan-able type form for all “paper” respondents
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Proposed Strategies
Continue work with :
• Payroll/Tax Software Developers
• Payroll/Tax Outsourcing Firms
- For inclusion of MWR electronic reporting in their
software or as a service for their clients
• Integrate ARS NVM survey with
businesses using MWR web Collection
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Proposed Strategies for
Improving Industrial Coding
Improve Quality of Initial Codes for New
Employers
• Review State SDFs
• Review SDF procedures
• Pursue automated employer self-coding system
Goal:
• Assign correct codes at initial registration
• Only deal with actual changes in employer’s
economic activities
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Summary
• Centralize data collection for both
surveys
• Use electronic collection where costeffective
• Use scanable type forms where
employer insists on paper reporting
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Redesigning Data Collection Strategies for CostReduction in Two Bureau of Labor Statistics Surveys
For additional information contact:
Michael A. Searson
Searson.Michael@bls.gov
202.691.6469
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Postal Square Building
2 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Suite 4840
Washington, DC 20212-0001
www.bls.gov
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