BLS Slates Survey to Determine the Nation's Gig Economy

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has requested approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct the first Contingent Worker Supplement (CWS) survey since 2005 to determine the size, shape and usage of the gig economy -- those jobs that obtained "through electronic matching platforms" as well as "alternative employment arrangements, including independent contractors, on-call workers, temporary help agency workers, and workers provided by contract companies." The CWS will be done as part of the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) in May 2017. The information collection request (ICR) sent to OMB states:

In order to maintain data comparability, the 2017 CWS questionnaire will be largely the same as that used in 2005. However, because new types of work have emerged since the last collection of the CWS, BLS is proposing to add four new questions to the end of the CWS. These new questions will explore whether individuals obtain customers or online tasks through companies that electronically match them, often through mobile apps, and examine whether work obtained through electronic matching platforms is a source of secondary earnings.

Through Nov. 29, BLS is seeking public comments on the plan.