Abstract #301906

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JSM 2003 Abstract #301906
Activity Number: 153
Type: Invited
Date/Time: Monday, August 4, 2003 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics
Abstract - #301906
Title: The Perspective of Business Respondents on Alternative Employment Arrangements and the Implications for Employment Statistics
Author(s): Diane K. Willimack*+
Companies: U.S. Census Bureau
Address: 5001 Regency Place, Alexandria, VA, 22304-2009,
Keywords: measurement error ; cognitive testing ; coemployment ; contractors ; temporary staffing
Abstract:

Businesses' use of alternative employment arrangements, such as temporary staffing, independent contractors, purchased services, and coemployment, has consequences for employment statistics tabulated by industry and geographic area. Personnel employed under these arrangements are often counted in industries other than the ones in which they actually work and/or in different geographic areas. As a result, observed shifts in employment may be artificial--a consequence of structural changes in labor arrangements and their definitions. In addition, measurement error may result from variations in business respondents' understanding of or accounting for alternative employment arrangements, or confusion among them. This paper explores the potential for and consequences of measurement error in employment statistics related to alternative employment arrangements. Results from cognitive testing reveal criteria business respondents use to distinguish alternative arrangements, along with sources of confusion. Results from preliminary data collection efforts will be discussed and measurement error consequences for collection and interpretation of employment statistics will be considered.

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