[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43755-43756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21666]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: 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 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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. 
Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed reinstatement of the ``CPS Displaced Worker and 
Job Tenure Supplement.''
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before October 14, 1997.
    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212. Ms. Kurz can be 
reached on 202-606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department 
of Labor sponsors the Displaced Workers supplement to the Current 
Population Survey (CPS). Data on displaced workers were first collected 
in January 1984. Subsequent displaced worker surveys have been 
conducted biennially. In addition to the information on worker 
displacement, the February 1998 CPS supplement also will collect 
information on job tenure.
    The information will be used to determine the size and nature of 
the population affected by job displacements and, hence, the needs and 
scope of ETA programs serving adult displaced workers. The information 
collected also will be used to assess employment stability by 
determining the length of time workers have been with their current 
employer. In addition, data on job tenure for all workers are needed to 
calculate the incidence of displacement among various worker groups so 
that comparisons can be made over time and among different affected 
groups. Combining the questions on displacement and tenure will enable 
analysts to obtain a more complete picture of employment stability.

II. Current Actions

    The questions concerning displacement among workers will help 
define the size of the readjustment problem faced by individual workers 
and the economy including: (a) Workers who have lost their jobs or have 
received notice that they soon will lose their jobs due to a permanent 
plant closing; (b) laid-off workers who are unlikely to return to their 
previous industry or occupation; and (c) the long-term unemployed with 
little prospect of reemployment. Policy planning has to take into 
account the industries with the most severe displacement problem and 
the retraining needs of affected workers.
    This supplement also will provide data regarding:
    1. The economic impact of job displacements. For those workers who 
have been reemployed, data will be collected to compare current 
earnings with those from the lost job.
    2. Information on the receipt of unemployment compensation, the 
loss of health insurance coverage, and the

[[Page 43756]]

time spent without a job. In combination, these supplemental data will 
provide the information needed to assess the economic hardship 
experienced by displaced workers.
    3. Types of jobs that displaced workers have been able to find. 
This will assist in developing training programs that will provide 
other displaced workers with the skills necessary to adjust to the 
changing economic environment.
    4. The extent to which displaced workers received advance notice of 
job cutbacks or the closing of their plant or business. The President, 
Congress, and private organizations have shown significant interest in 
this area.
    5. The length of time workers (including those who have not been 
displaced) have been with their current employer. Tenure data are used 
to calculate displacement rates for long-tenured workers so that 
comparisons can be made over time and among different worker groups. 
Information on job tenure also is important because of the effect 
seniority has on wage levels, the receipt of employee benefits such as 
vacations and pensions, and other facets of the employment 
relationship.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of previously approved 
collection for which approval has expired.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: CPS Displaced Worker and Job Tenure Supplement.
    OMB Number: 1220-0104.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 48,000.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Total Responses: 48,000.
    Average Time Per Response: 8 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,400 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 11th day of August 1997.
Ausie B. Grigg, Jr.,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 97-21666 Filed 8-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-14-M