[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54732-54733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22533]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: Field 
Representative/Decennial Field Staff Exit Questionnaire

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before November 1, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection

[[Page 54733]]

instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Darlene Moul, 
Census Bureau/Field Division, Room 5H051, Washington, DC 20233, or 301-
763-1935, or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Because of both the monetary costs associated with turnover and the 
potential impact on data quality, the retention of trained field 
interviewing staff is a major concern for the Census Bureau. In a 
continuous effort to devise policies and practices aimed at reducing 
turnover among interviewers, the Census Bureau collects data on the 
reasons interviewers voluntarily quit their jobs with the Census 
Bureau. The BC-1294, Field Representative Exit Questionnaire, is the 
instrument used to collect this data from a sample of former current 
survey interviewers.
    The BC-1294 asks questions about the factors that affected an 
interviewer's decision to voluntarily leave Census Bureau employment. 
The goal or purpose of the exit questionnaire is to identify the 
reasons for interviewer turnover and determine what the Census Bureau 
might have done, or can do, to influence interviewers not to leave 
their jobs. The exit questionnaire seeks reasons interviewers quit, 
inquires about motivational factors that would have kept the 
interviewers from leaving, identifies training program strengths and 
areas for improvement, and explores the impact of automation and the 
influence of pay and other working conditions on turnover.
    As the environment in which surveys take place, the nature of 
surveys conducted, and the characteristics of our labor force continue 
to change, it is important that we continue to examine the 
interviewers' concerns about their former job as Census Bureau 
interviewers. Information obtained from the exit survey has provided 
insight on the measures the Census Bureau might take to decrease 
turnover, and has been useful in helping to determine if the reasons 
for interviewer turnover appear to be systemic and/or localized. From 
the BC-1294, we have learned that interviewer turnover is often a 
combination of reasons rather than one single reason. We have also 
learned that there are some reasons for turnover within the Census 
Bureau's control and some which are not.
    The data we have collected from former current survey field 
representatives has helped the Census Bureau develop plans to reduce 
turnover. Results from prior versions of the exit survey have allowed 
for better informed management decisions regarding the future field 
work force and the implementation of more effective recruitment, pay 
plans, interviewer training, and retention strategies. The BC-1294, 
Field Representative Exit Questionnaire, has proven to be very useful 
and we want to continue to use it.
    Since our last clearance, our current survey interviewers have been 
given new tools (e.g., a GPS and mapping software) to help them work 
more effectively and efficiently. In addition, the Census Bureau 
implemented a new current survey selection process designed to improve 
recruiting and retention. We plan to incorporate questions into the BC-
1294 to ask former employees what, if any, impact these program changes 
had on their decision to leave their Census Bureau job.
    Plans for the current 2020 inter-decade testing have not been 
finalized at this time. We do not anticipate any large scale field site 
tests involving the use of the BC-1294(D), Decennial Field Staff Exit 
Questionnaire or the BC-1294(CM), Coverage Measurement Exit 
Questionnaire during the upcoming three years.

II. Method of Collection

    The exit questionnaire will be administered by telephone. While the 
use of automated collection techniques have been considered, a 
telephone methodology is employed due to the nature of the questions, 
which may require probing to obtain or clarify answers. In addition, a 
telephone methodology has historically yielded response rates that are 
greater than those obtained from similar mail out/mail back 
methodologies, especially when the collection interval is relatively 
short and the audience is former employees.
    A sample of former employees will be called and asked a series of 
questions about when and why they voluntarily quit their job. The 
sample will not include interviewers who have been terminated for 
cause.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0404.
    Form Number: BC-1294.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Former Census Bureau Current Survey Field 
Representatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Time per Response: Seven (7) minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 58.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondents 
except for their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 5 U.S.C. Section 301, 2301 and 3101.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 30, 2011.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-22533 Filed 9-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P