Note to Reviewer

Memorandum for: Reviewer of 1220-0164

From: Hilery Simpson,

Division Chief of Compensation Data Analysis and Planning (BLS/OCWC)

Subject: OMB non-substantive change request for National Compensation Survey (NCS)

This request is for approval to add two questions on domestic partner benefits for the National Compensation Survey (NCS) 1220-0164. Under the NCS, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts ongoing surveys of compensation (wage and benefits), and job characteristics.

NCS is proposing adding two “yes/no/don’t know” questions on domestic partner benefits to the “Other Benefits” questions. It is estimated that 2 minutes will be added to respondent burden per establishment by adding these questions. NCS would like to implement these changes with the September 2010 NCS collection quarter (which starts September 16, 2010). These questions will only be asked of wage and benefits sample members. The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 calls for the elimination of the Locality Pay Survey (LPS), which is the part of the NCS that provides occupational wage data by industry and specific geographic areas. The LPS are wage-only sample members and will not be affected by these additional benefit questions.

Questions below are those to be added to the National Compensation Survey:

Does your establishment offer health benefits to unmarried domestic partners

1. Of the opposite sex?

   1. Yes

   2. No

   3. Don’t know/Not applicable

2. Of the same sex?

   1. Yes

   2. No

   3. Don’t know/Not applicable

As part of a defined benefit plan, does your establishment offer survivor benefits to unmarried domestic partners

1. Of the opposite sex?

   1. Yes

   2. No

   3. Don’t know/Not applicable

2. Of the same sex?

   1. Yes

   2. No

   3. Don’t know/Not applicable

Respondent burden impact estimates:

The “Other Benefits” questions only collect whether the benefits are offered to employees. Therefore, NCS expects that survey respondents will know whether domestic partner benefits are available without having to research the answer. Typically, NCS respondents know the existence and policy for these “Other Benefits.”

These questions will add approximately 487 hours annually to private industry respondent burden hours (14,614 private establishments).

These questions will add approximately 72 hours annually to government respondent burden hours (2,164 State and local government establishments).

The contact regarding this non-substantive change request is Paul Carney (Carney_P@bls.gov) of OCWC (202-691-5180).

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