Cognitive Interview Data Collections for DOL Research
Formative Data Collections for DOL Research
Appendix F National Worker Survey CI Guide_4_8
Cognitive Interview Data Collections for DOL Research
OMB: 1290-0043
National Worker Survey
Intro and informed consent
Hello, my name is INTERVIEWER NAME. I work for Westat, a research company in Rockville, Maryland. Thank you for taking the time to be part of this study. I just want to confirm, are you in a private and quiet place for this interview? (IF NOT, ASK RESPONDENT TO USE HEADPHONES, OR IF NEEDED, RESCHEDULE.)
Westat is working with the Department of Labor on a study about hours worked and pay. As described in our email to you, we are asking for your help to give us feedback on questions that are asked in the survey.
Today, I am going to display some questions from the survey on your screen. I will ask you to read and answer each question. After you finish answering each question, I will ask you some follow-up questions to understand your reactions to each question and how you came up with your answers. I’m particularly interested in whether or not the questions are clear and easy to understand.
IF PARTICIPANT JOINS BY AUDIO ONLY, ASK THEM TO TURN ON THE CAMERA ON THEIR DEVICE: I would like to be able to see you during the interview. Would you be willing to turn on your camera?
Informed Consent
We enclosed a consent form in our email exchanges with you. Let me just summarize what is written on the form.
This is a research project and this interview is voluntary. That means you can skip any question and you can stop at any point. All of your answers and everything you say will be kept secure. This means that we will not share your name or information with anyone outside of our research team.
The interview will take about 90 minutes and you will receive a $50 electronic Amazon gift card as a token of appreciation. It will be sent via email after this interview.
We would like your permission to audio and video record this interview because the recording makes sure we hear everything you say correctly and capture what is happening on your end. [IF R DOES NOT WANT VIDEO ON: It is ok to leave your video off if you prefer] Only the people who work on this research project will be able to view the recording and see our notes. Your name will not be linked to any of your responses, though we may include quotes that you provide in our reports. The recordings and our notes will be destroyed after we finish the project.
Are you willing to take part in this study? Are you willing to have the session recorded?
START RECORDING IN ZOOM. The date and time is ____________. Now that I am recording, I want to ask again, do you agree to be interviewed? Is it okay if I record this interview?
Before we start, do you have any questions?
Expiration:10/31/2025
Screener
Public reporting burden for this data collection instrument is estimated to average 90 minutes per response. The burden estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and submitting the form. This collection of information is voluntary. You are not required to respond to this collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Please send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information to the Department of Labor, Chief Evaluation Office, 200 Constitution Ave NW., Washington, DC 20210, or email ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov and reference OMB control number 1290-0043. NOTE: Please do not send your completed form to this address.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting a survey to learn more about the jobs people hold, their pay, working hours, and other features of their work. DOL has contracted with Westat, an independent research firm, to conduct this survey. Your answers will help DOL create programs and policies to help worker across the country.
First, we want to test some screener questions. This is part of the final survey and we’d like to get feedback on some of the questions. A few of these will look similar to questions you already answered online.
Please answer a few questions first to see if you qualify for the study.
Are you at least 18 years old? [Source: Unregulated Work Survey]
Yes
No GO to IE statement
Do you currently have a paid job? [Source: Adapted from Longitudinal Survey of Unemployment Insurance Recipients]
Yes
No Go to IE statement
IF MORE THAN ONE JOB: Please answer the rest of the questions in this survey about the job you spend the most hours working at.
How long have you been working at your job? [Source: Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
Less than 1 month Go to IE statement
1 month to less than 3 months
3 months to less than 6 months
6 months to less than 1 year
1 year to less than 2 years
2 years to less than 3 years
3 years to less than 5 years
5 years or more
I don’t remember
[SHOW IF WEB SCREENER NOT RDS INDUSTRY] How would you describe the type of company you work for? [Source: Adapted from Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
Retail trade (selling goods or services to the public)
Food services (including restaurants, cafés, and catering)
Accommodation or travel/tourism services, including all jobs within hotels
Business support services (including security, customer service, technical support, cleaning and building maintenance, and waste management)
Healthcare or social service agency
Personal/household care, automotive repair, or laundry/alteration services
Manufacturing
Transportation or warehousing
Construction
Wholesale trade
Financial services or insurance
Real estate (including sales, rentals and leasing)
Professional, scientific or technical services
Education
Publishing/recording, broadcasting, telecommunications or data/information services
Entertainment, performing arts, sports or recreation
Agriculture, forestry, fishing or hunting
Mining or oil/gas extraction
Utilities, including electricity, gas, and water/sewage
Management of companies or enterprises
Another type of business or industry
[show if web screener = rds industry] How would you describe the type of company that you work for? [Source: New question]
Food service (including restaurants, bars, fast food, and cafeterias)
Construction
Grocery store or supermarket
Retail store (including department stores, auto supply stores, building material and lawn and garden equipment stores, clothing stores, pharmacies and drug stores, furniture stores, electronics and appliance stores, sporting goods, hobby, book, or music stores, and gas stations)
Hotel or motel
Cleaning and building maintenance
Nursing home
Home health care
Landscaping
Security services (including security guard)
Child day care services (including day care centers, home child care, nursery schools, preschools, and before or after school care)
Another type of business or industry GO TO IE statement
In this job, are you mainly a:
[SEE APPENDIX A FOR RESPONSE FILL FOR CORRESPONDING S5 INDUSTRY]
[SEE APPENDIX B FOR RESPONSE FILL FOR CORRESPONDING S6 INDUSTRY]
INTERVIEWER – HAVE R ANSWER S4/S5 AND S6 BEFORE PROBING:
How easy or difficult was it for you to select an answer for these two questions? Did you have trouble choosing between any?
Do you feel like your choice is accurate, or were you looking for something better?
[IF NEEDED] In your own words, how would you describe the type of business you work for, and what you do at that job?
Is your employer the government, a private company, a non-profit organization, or are you self-employed? [Source: Adapted from Worker Classification Knowledge Survey]
Government (federal, state, or local level) GO to IE statement
Private for-profit company
Non-profit organization
Self-employed/have my own business GO TO S9
Does your employer take any taxes out of your pay? [Source: Abraham et al., 2019]
Yes GO TO S12
No GO TO S10
Don’t know GO TO S10
[IF YES] What are the types of taxes that are taken out of your pay?
[IF NO] How sure are you of your answer? What makes you sure/unsure?
Are you self-employed as an independent contractor, independent consultant, freelance worker, store/shop owner, or something else? [Source: Adapted from the CPS and NLSY97]
Independent contractor, independent consultant, or freelance worker
Store/shop owner or other type of business owner GO to IE statement
Something else
Please tell me more about your job and why you chose that answer.
Independent contractor misclassification screen
For these next two questions, I’d like you to read the question and think out loud as you come up with your answer. For example, if the question was, “How many windows are in your house?” I would respond thinking out loud by saying, “There are two in the living room, two in the den, and one in the bedroom, so that’s five.”
How many separate companies, organizations, or people (clients) pay you at your job? [Source: Adapted from Worker Classification Knowledge Survey and Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
1
2 to 5
6 to 10
11 or more
Around what percent of your work time do you currently spend working for the main company, organization, or person who pays you? [Source: Adapted from Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
Less than 25%
25 to 49%
50 to 74%
75 to 99%
100%
IF only 1 company OR > 75% for main company fails independent contractor test
IF S7 = Self-employed and passes independent contractor test GO TO IE STATEMENT
Are you salaried, paid by the hour, or paid some other way? If you are paid multiple ways, select the option that represents the majority of your pay. [Source: FMLA Survey]
Salaried
Paid by the hour
Paid some other way
[IF PAID SOME OTHER WAY] Can you tell me about how you are paid?
How much do you usually earn per week before taxes from your job? [Source: New question]
Less than $700
$700 - $999
$1,000 - $1,499
$1,500 - $1,999
$2,000 or more
How did you come up with your answer?
How easy or difficult was it to choose an answer?
Does your job involve any of the following? Select all that apply. [Source: Adapted from RAND American Life Panel]
Supervising at least two full time employees (1)
Hiring or firing employees or assessing job performance (2)
Making managerial, financial, or legally binding business decisions without input from your boss (3)
Intellectual tasks requiring at least a college degree (4)
Artistic or creative work such as music, writing, acting, or graphic arts (5)
Selling products or services to customers at locations outside of your workplace (6)
Computer programming (7)
For each yes: Can you describe the duties on your job that made you say yes?
If “no” to 3: What does this mean in your own words? What are “legally binding business decisions?”
If “no” to 4: What does “intellectual tasks” mean to you?
If “no” to 5 or 6: What does this mean in your own words? What kinds of jobs would that include?
IF S12=Salaried AND S13>$700 and S14=1 AND 2 then exempt as executive
IF S12=Salaried AND S13>$700 and S14=3 then exempt as administrator
IF S12=Salaried AND S13>$700 and S14=4 OR 5 then exempt as learned or creative professional
IF S14=6 then exempt as outside sales
IF S12=Salaried AND S13>$700 and S14=7 then exempt as computer professional
IF S12=Salaried AND S13>$2,000 then highly compensation employee
IF ANY EXEMPTION ABOVE THEN GO TO IE STATEMENT
Thank you. After the screener, if the participant is eligible for the survey, they will be provided with this consent language. It is different from the consent form we emailed you and what we went over earlier because this is the consent for the final survey, instead of the interview we are in now. We would like to make sure it is clear, so please read this and let me know when you’re finished.
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting a survey to learn more about the jobs people hold, their pay, working hours, and other features of their work. DOL has contracted with Westat, an independent research firm, to conduct this survey. While there are no direct benefits to you, your answers will help DOL create programs and policies to help worker across the country.
Your participation is voluntary. There is very little risk involved in participating, as any information you provide will be kept private. Your employer will not see any of your responses. Only the research team will see your answers. If you don’t understand a question or don’t want to answer, you can skip it and move on to the next question. The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete. after you finish it, we will pay you $40 to thank you for your time.
At the end of the survey, we will also send you five invitations that you can share with people you know who might qualify for this study. For each person you invite, we’ll pay you an extra $20 if they complete the survey. You could be paid a total of $100 if all five people you invite complete the survey.
If you have questions about the study, please contact [STUDY EMAIL AND STUDY PHONE NUMBER]. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or wish to report any issues related to this activity, please call the Westat’s Human Subjects Protections Office at 1-888-920-7631 and leave a message with your first name, the name of the research study that you are calling about, which is Worker Survey, and a phone number with the area code. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is XXXX-XXXX. The time required to complete this survey is estimated to average 30 minutes, including the time to review instructions, gather the data needed and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Kuang-Chi (Kacie) Chang at 202-XXX-XXXX or Chang.Kuang-chi@dol.gov and reference the OMB Control Number XXXX-XXXX.
Is anything here confusing or unclear?
Is a 30 minute survey too long, or is it reasonable? Does the $40 make a difference in your opinion?
The next questions are about the type of work you do at your job. If you have more than one job, answer about the job you spend the most hours working at.
Are you represented by a union or part of a collective bargaining agreement? [Source: Adapted from CPS]
Yes
No
Don’t know
Some jobs are temporary and last for a certain number of weeks or months or until the project is finished. Is your job temporary? [Source: CPS CSW]
Yes
No
Don’t know
On this job, are you paid by a temporary help agency or staffing agency? [Source: CPS and NLSY97]
Yes
No
How many people total work for your employer, including you? Count all the locations where your employer operates. [Source: Adapted from Worker Classification Knowledge Survey]
1-4
5-19
20-49
50-99
100-499
500 or more
Don’t know
Which of the following benefits are available through your job, even if you don’t use them? Select all that apply. [Source: Longitudinal Survey of UI Recipients]
Health insurance benefits
Paid sick days
Retirement savings or pension plan
Paid family or medical leave
None of the above
Some companies provide employees or their services to other companies under contract. A few examples include private security services, landscaping, or computer programming.
Do you work for a company that provides your services to other companies under contract?
Yes
No
Don’t know
If Yes, please describe.
If no: What is this question asking in your own words?
If don’t know: can you tell me more about the company where you work and why you’re not sure if your work is under contract?
What zip code do you work in? If you work in multiple locations, please enter your employer’s zip code. [Source: New question]
|__|__|__|__|__|
Is this the zip code of where your employer is located, or somewhere else? [IF SOMEWHERE ELSE] What location is this?
[ONLY ASK IF A7 IS BLANK] What state do you work in? [Source: Worker Classification Knowledge Survey]
-
▼
[drop down of 50 states + DC]
These next questions are about how you record your time and the hours that you work.
Time Records
How do you keep track of your hours at your job? [Source: Adapted from Employment Practices in Building Services Survey]
I use a time clock, punch card, or scanner
I use an electronic timesheet
I sign in and out by hand
Someone else records the time I start and stop work
Nobody records my time
Some other method, please specify
DON’T DISPLAY OPTION FIRST – ALLOW R TO GIVE VERBATIM RESPONSE. THEN IF NOT APPARENT, SHOW LIST AND ASK: If you were given this list of options, what would you choose?
[In the past 6 months / Since you started working at this job], have your work hours been recorded incorrectly?
Yes
No GO TO B5
What would it mean to have hours recorded incorrectly?
How often were your work hours recorded incorrectly? [Source: Adapted from Employment Practices in Building Services Survey]
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always or almost always
What made you choose that answer?
In what ways have your hours have been recorded incorrectly at your job? Select all that apply. [Source: New]
Not all of the hours I worked were recorded
Hours over 40 worked in a week were recorded as regular hours instead of overtime
Something else, please specify
Are there any other ways that your hours could/have been recorded incorrectly?
Do these options make sense to you?
Pre- and Post-Shift Work
In the past four weeks, how often did you start working before your scheduled shift or before you clocked in? [Source: Adapted from Unregulated Work Survey, Employment Practices in Building Services Survey] [Hover text: This may include work you did at the worksite, or work-related duties you performed before getting to work. Examples include stopping to purchase supplies or waiting on site to get supplies, inspecting a work vehicle for safety, going to a gas station to buy fuel for a work vehicle, preparing the worksite, or waiting for customers to arrive. It does not include your normal commute.]
Every day or almost every day
One to three times a week
1 to 3 times in the past four weeks
Never GO TO B8
Not applicable - I do not have scheduled shifts GO TO B8
What activities were you thinking about when you answered this question?
Do you have a scheduled shift or clock in? IF NEITHER – how did you come up with your answer? In other words, how do you know that you spent time working before your shift/before clocking in?
For not applicable – why did you choose that option? Earlier you said that your hours are tracked by [B1 ANSWER] – would your answer change if I instead asked if you ever do work outside of what’s recorded/on your timesheet?
On the days you worked before your shift or before you clocked in, how much time did you work early? [Source: New]
Minutes
Hours
How did you come up with your answer?
How sure are you of your answer? What makes you say you’re sure/unsure?
Were you paid for the time you worked before your shift or before you clocked in? [Source: Adapted from Unregulated Work Survey, Employment Practices in Building Services Survey]
Yes, the full amount
Yes, partially
No
Don’t know
[IF PARTIALLY] Can you explain?
[IF NO] Was the time made up to you in another way? For example, were you able to leave early?
In the past four weeks, how often did you keep working after your scheduled shift or after you clocked out? [Source: Adapted from Unregulated Work Survey, Employment Practices in Building Services Survey] [Hover text: This may include work you did at the worksite, or work-related duties you performed after leaving work. Examples include returning materials or supplies, closing down the worksite, or going to a gas station to refuel a work vehicle after your shift is over. It does not include your normal commute.]
Every day or almost every day
One to three times a week
1 to 3 times in the past four weeks
Never GO TO B11
Not applicable - I do not have scheduled shifts GO TO B11
What activities were you thinking about when you answered this question?
For not applicable – Do you ever work off-the-clock?
On the days when you worked after your shift or after you clocked out, how much time did you work late? [Source: New]
Minutes
Hours
How did you come up with your answer?
How sure are you of your answer? What makes you say you’re sure/unsure?
Were you paid for the time you worked after your shift or after you clocked out? [Source: Adapted from Unregulated Work Survey, Employment Practices in Building Services Survey]
Yes, the full amount
Yes, partially
No
Don’t know
[IF PARTIALLY] Can you explain?
[IF NO] Was the time made up to you in another way? For example, were you able to come in late another day?
Breaks [Source: Adapted from Employment Practices in Building Services Survey]
How many hours do you usually work each day at your job? [Source: New question]
Hours
What does “usually” mean in this question?
How easy or difficult was it to answer this question?
Do your hours vary day to day?
[ASK B12 if B11 >=5]
Do you have scheduled meal breaks during the work day?
Yes
No GO TO B16
[IF NO] Are you offered meal breaks at all? For example, do you take meal breaks but there’s no schedule, or are you offered meal breaks but don’t take them?
How long are your scheduled meal breaks?
Minutes
How did you come up with your answer? Is this different from the time you actually spend on break?
In the past four weeks, did you ever work during your scheduled meal break?
Yes
No GO TO B16
When you worked during your scheduled meal break, were you paid for that time?
Yes
No
How sure are you that you’re thinking only about the past four weeks? What makes you say you’re sure/unsure?
Are there times in the past 4 weeks that you [IF NO -did/ IF YES -didn’t] get paid for working during a meal break? [IF YES] How did you choose your answer?
Do you have any scheduled rest breaks besides a meal break during the work day?
Yes
No GO TO B20
In your own words, what is a rest break? Are rest breaks usually scheduled or unscheduled?
How long are these scheduled rest breaks?
Minutes
How did you come up with your answer? Do you receive multiple breaks?
In the past four weeks, did you ever work during any of your scheduled rest breaks?
Yes
No GO TO B20
When you worked during your scheduled rest break, were you paid for that time?
Yes
No
How sure are you that you’re thinking only about the past four weeks? What makes you say you’re sure/unsure?
Are there times in the past 4 weeks that you [IF NO -did/ IF YES -didn’t] get paid for working during a rest break? [IF YES] How did you choose your answer?
Wait Time [Source: New questions]
[interviewer: this section should be probed on retrospectively]
In the past four weeks, have you had to wait for work to do? [Hover text: This may include waiting for customers or telephone calls, assignments, or goods to be loaded or unloaded.]
Yes
No GO TO B23
What, in your own words, is this question asking?
Were you paid for the time you waited for work?
Yes GO TO B23
No
What were you thinking about when you answered this question?
Are there times in the past 4 weeks that you [IF NO -did/ IF YES -didn’t] get paid for the time you waited for work? [IF YES] How did you choose your answer?
Were you able to leave your worksite while waiting for work?
Yes
No
I was not at my worksite when I was asked to wait
What does “able to leave your worksite” mean?
Travel
In the past four weeks, did you travel from one worksite to another during your workday, as part of your job? [Source: New question]
Yes
No GO TO B25
In your own words, what is this question asking?
How easy or difficult was it to answer only thinking about the past four weeks?
If yes: how often do you travel from one worksite to another?
If no: have you EVER had to travel from one worksite to another?
Were you paid for that travel time? [Source: New question]
Yes
No
If yes: Are you paid at your usual rate, or some other rate? Are you always paid for the travel time?
If no: Were you compensated in other ways? For example, able to leave early or come in late?
Training [Source: Adapted from Employment Practices in Building Services Survey]
[In the past 6 months / Since you started working at this job], have you received any training for your job?
Yes
No GO to B28
[IF YES] What kind of training were you thinking about?
Were you required to receive the training in order to obtain or keep your job?
Yes
No GO to B28
Were you paid for the time you spent in the training?
Yes
No
If yes: were you paid at your usual rate, or some other rate?
If no: Were you compensated in other ways? For example, able to leave early or come in late?
General Hours Worked
How many hours in total do you usually work at your job each week, including work before or after you clock out, time waiting for work to do, travel between worksites, paid meal breaks, and paid rest breaks? [Source: New question]
Hours
□ Check here if the number of hours changes week to week.
What does “usually” mean in this question?
If hours entered: How easy or difficult was this question to answer?
If hours vary: What range of hours do you work? If you had to choose a number, what would you pick and why?
How did you come up with your answer? Did you read the instructions for what to include?
The next questions are about how you get paid and how much you earn from your job.
Pay Rate
How are you paid at your job? If you are paid multiple ways, select the option that represents the majority of your pay. [SOURCE: Adapted from PSID Transition to Adulthood Supplement]
By the hour
Hourly plus tips
Hourly plus a commission
Per item or hourly plus per item
Commission
By the job
By the day
Salaried
Salary plus a commission
Some other way
Was there anything confusing or unclear about this question or the response options?
Are we missing anything from this list?
[if C1 includes hourly] [Excluding tips and commissions,] What is your hourly rate of pay? [Source: Adapted from CPS]
How did you come up with your answer?
How many hours a week do you usually work at this rate? [Source: CPS]
How did you come up with your answer? What does “usually” mean here?
[IF C1 NOT HOURLY] [Including tips and commissions,] what are your usual earnings on this job, before taxes or other deductions? [Source: Adapted from CPS]
Amount Period
PROGRAMMER: USE THESE OPTIONS
Per day
Per week
Once every two weeks
Twice a month
Per month or monthly
Per year
Some other pay period
How sure are you that this is the amount before taxes and deductions are taken out, and not your take-home pay? What makes you say you’re sure/unsure?
Are you ever paid in tips/commissions? If so, do you generally get paid the same amount each [time period]? If no, how did you decide what to include?
Did you include overtime pay? If yes, please explain how you calculated that pay for this question.
[If C4=Per year] How many weeks a year do you get paid for? [Source: CPS]
[If C4 = per day] How many days per week do you usually work?
[If C1 includes tips] How much do you usually receive in tips, before taxes and other deductions? [Source: Adapted from CPS]
Amount Period
PROGRAMMER: USE THESE OPTIONS
Per day
Per hour
Per week
Once every two weeks
Twice a month
Per month or monthly
Per year
Some other pay period
How did you come up with your answer? How easy or difficult is it to come up with one answer?
[If C1 includes tips] Do any of your tips go to supervisors, managers or the owner? [Source: Unregulated Work Survey]
Yes
No
Do you pool or share your tips at your job?
Yes
No GO TO C11
How would you ask this question in your own words?
Do you share your tips with non-tipped employees?
Yes
No
Do you know which employees are tipped and which are not?
Do you use other terms to describe sharing your tips?
[If C1 includes commissions] How much do you usually receive in commissions, before taxes and other deductions? [Source: Adapted from CPS]
Amount Period
PROGRAMMER: USE THESE OPTIONS
Per day
Per hour
Per week
Once every two weeks
Twice a month
Per month or monthly
Per year
Some other pay period
How did you come up with your answer? How easy or difficult is it to come up with one answer?
[In the past 6 months / Since you started working at this job], how often did you work more than 40 hours in a week [at this job]? [Hover text: Remember to include work you did before and after your scheduled shift.] [Source: New question]
Every week
1 to 3 times per month
Less than once per month
Never GO TO SECTION E
How easy or difficult was it remember this?
For the next set of questions, think about the most recent time you worked more than 40 hours in a week.
How many hours over 40 did you work?
Number
of hours
How did you come up with your answer?
When you worked more than 40 hours in a week at your job, were you paid for these hours? [Source: Adapted from RAND ALP]
Yes, I got additional pay
No, I was not paid anything GO TO SECTION E
No, I got comp time instead (Comp time is when you apply the additional hours as time off in the future) GO TO SECTION E
What does “I got additional pay” mean?
What would it mean to not be paid anything?
How would you define comp time?
Were you compensated in other ways for these hours?
When you worked more than 40 hours in a week, how much were you paid for those additional hours? [Source: Adapted from RAND ALP, Unregulated Work Survey, PSID]
Time and a half
Double time
Regular wage (straight-time)
Flat amount GO TO D5
Other
How much were you paid for those additional hours?
Amount Period
PROGRAMMER: USE THESE OPTIONS
Per day
Per hour
Per week
Once every two weeks
Twice a month
Per month or monthly
Per year
Some other pay period
What, in your own words, were these questions asking?
If other is something other than $$ - Is this always how you are paid for additional hours?
If flat amount: What is the flat amount based on?
[IF NON-HOURLY] Does this question/response option make sense to you? How do you describe the way you are paid for overtime?
[In the past 6 months / Since you started working at this job], did your employer deduct money from your pay for any of the following? Select all that apply. [Source: New question]
Uniforms, tools, or equipment
Transportation
Meals
Housing
Cost of broken or missing items
Cost of missing cash or cash register shortage
Cost of customers or clients who did not pay
Not following company policies, making mistakes, or poor performance
Something else
What, in your own words, is this question asking?
How many times has this happened?
Can you think of anything else that should be listed here?
How are you paid for your work? Select all that apply. [Source: Unregulated Work Survey]
Company check or direct deposit
Cash
Personal check
Combination of cash and check
Pay card/payroll card
Zelle or Venmo
Some other way
If cash: By cash, do you mean physical bills, or something like a Visa gift card, money orders, etc?
If pay card/payroll card: How would you describe that method of payment?
[IF MULTIPLE SELECTED] I see you are paid in multiple ways. Is there a reason you are paid one way vs. another? Are you usually paid multiple ways?
Do you receive or have access to a pay stub or earnings statement? [Source: New question]
Yes
No GO TO F6
If yes: How do you access it? Do you have access to all pay stubs?
If no: How sure are you of your answer? Do you have any way to review your pay?
[In the past 6 months / Since you started working at this job], has your pay/earnings statement been incorrect?
Yes
No GO TO F6
How often has your pay/earnings statement been incorrect? [Source: New question]
All of the time
About three-quarters of the time
About half of the time
About one-quarter of the time
How did you decide what answer to choose?
What information in your pay/earnings statement was incorrect? Select all that apply. [Source: New question]
Incorrect wage or salary
Incorrect hours worked
Missing overtime hours or pay
Missing commission or bonus pay
Incorrect deductions
Something else
Is there anything confusing or unclear about this question or the response options?
[IF D1 NOT NEVER] When you worked more than 40 hours in a week [in the past 6 months/since you started working at this job], did your pay/earnings statement show the hours above 40? [Source: New question]
Yes
No
I never work more than 40 hours
Don’t know
How would you rephrase this question in your own words?
[In the past 6 months / Since you started working at this job], have you ever been paid late? [Source: Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
Yes
No GO TO F9
How often were you paid late? [Source: Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
All of the time
About three-quarters of the time
About half of the time
About one-quarter of the time
Almost never
[In the past 6 months/Since you started working at this job], have you ever been paid less than the amount that you were owed? [Source: Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
Yes
No GO TO G1
How often were you paid less than the amount that you were owed? [Source: Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
All of the time
About three-quarters of the time
About half of the time
About one-quarter of the time
Almost never
How much of your pay was missing on average? [Source: Closing the Enforcement Gap Survey]
All
More than half
Half
Less than half
None
[Source: Adapted from Unregulated Work Survey]
This next set of questions is about times you may have raised issues about your pay or hours since you started working at your current job. Remember, the survey is confidential. We won’t share your answers with your employer.
Since you started working at your job, did any of the following things happen to you? Select all that apply.
You were paid below the legal minimum wage
You were paid less than you were owed
You were not paid for all the hours you worked
You were required to work without pay before you signed in or after you signed out
You were not paid for overtime
You were not paid on time
Your employer deducted pay that they should not have
You worked through a break without pay
None of the above GO TO SECTION H
Please explain why you checked [EACH ANSWER]
[LOOK BACK AT CORRESPONDING ANSWERS THROUGHOUT THE SURVEY TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY INCONSISTENCIES. IF SO, PROBE] I see that earlier you said EARLIER RESPONSE. What made you say X here?
For the next set of questions, think about the most recent time one of these things happened to you at your current job.
Did you raise the issue to your supervisor, employer, or a government agency?
Yes
No GO TO G6
What in your own words is this question asking?
Are there other people or places you have or would talk to about the issue?
What government agencies might be included here?
Did you raise the issue to your supervisor or employer, a government agency, or both?
Supervisor or employer
Government agency
Both
[If employer not selected in G3] Did your employer or supervisor know you raised this issue?
Yes
No GO TO G6
Don’t’ know GO TO G6
Did your employer or supervisor do any of the following in response to you raising this issue? Select all that apply.
Suspended you
Cut your hours or changed your schedule
Cut your pay
Denied you promotion or demoted you
Gave you worse work assignments
Harassed or abused you
Threatened to fire you
Threatened to call the police
Threatened to call immigration
Ignored you
Did nothing
Something else, please specify
What is this question asking?
Are you only thinking about the most recent time you raised an issue?
Looking at this list, are there any that you don’t think fit? Any responses you think should be added?
Since you started working at your job, were there times when you DID NOT raise an issue, even though you had a problem at your job with your pay or hours?
Yes
No GO TO SECTION H
If yes: What were you thinking about when you answered this question?
What stopped you from raising the issue? Select all that apply.
You feared losing your job
You feared getting your hours or wages cut
You feared saying anything because of your immigration status
You were asked not to report it
You did not know who to raise it to
Your employer threatened you
You did not have proof
You did not think it was serious enough to report
You did not think it would make a difference
Something else, please specify
And finally, just a few questions for statistical purposes only.
Are you: Select all that apply.
Female
Male
Transgender, non-binary, or another gender
Prefer not to answer
What year were you born?
Were you born in the United States? [Source: CPS]
Yes GO TO H7
No
Prefer not to answer
How many years have you lived in the United States? [Source: CPS]
0-5 years
6-10 years
11-20 years
More than 20 years
Are you a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States? [Source: CPS]
Yes, a citizen
Yes, a legal permanent resident
No, neither
Prefer not to answer
How well do you speak English? [Source: Unregulated Work Survey]
Very well
Well
Not well
Not at all
Prefer not to answer
What is your race and/or ethnicity? Select all that apply.
American Indian or Alaska Native
For example, Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government, Nome Eskimo Community, Aztec, Maya, etc.
Asian
For example, Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, etc.
Black or African American
For example, African American, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, Somali, etc.
Hispanic or Latino
For example, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Cuban, Dominican, Guatemalan, etc.
Middle Eastern or North African
For example, Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, Israeli, etc.
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
For example, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Chamorro, Tongan, Fijian, Marshallese, etc.
White
For example, English, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Scottish, etc.
I do not wish to provide this information
What is the highest level of education you have COMPLETED? [Source: Adapted from American Community Survey]
Less than high school
High school diploma or GED
Some college credit, but no degree
Associate’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree, Doctorate degree, or other professional degree beyond Bachelor’s degree
What is your current household income from all sources before taxes? This includes: your earnings, the earnings of any other employed household members, and interest, dividends, rent, Social Security, other pensions, alimony, child support, unemployment compensation, public aid (welfare), and Armed forces or Veteran's allotment. [Source: Adapted from American Community Survey]
Less than $20,000
$20,000 - $34,999
$35,000 – $49,999
$50,000 - $74,999
$75,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $149.999
$150,000 or more
Prefer not to answer
How many children under 18 years old are in your care? [Source: FMLA Survey]
Are you currently [Source: FMLA Survey]
Married
Living with a partner
Separated
Divorced
Widowed
Never married
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? [Source: New]
Yes
No
I do not wish to provide this information
If ineligible:
Thank you very much, but you do not qualify for the study. However, we are asking everyone to help us find more people to be part of the study.
If eligible:
We are asking everyone to help us find more people to be part of this study.
All:
We will pay you $20 for each eligible person that you recruit who completes the survey, up to five people.
In the table below, please tell us how many people you know personally who currently work at each of the jobs listed below. They could be family, friends, co-workers, or anyone else you have been in touch with in the past six months. They must at least 18 years old.
What does “people you know personally” mean here?
What would it mean to be “in touch” with someone in the past six months?
How many people do you know who work in the following places or jobs?
|
Number of People |
Food service (including restaurants, bars, fast food, and cafeterias) |
| | | |
Construction |
| | | |
Grocery store or supermarket |
| | | |
Retail stores (including department stores, auto supply stores, building material and lawn and garden equipment stores, clothing stores, pharmacies and drug stores, furniture stores, electronics and appliance stores, sporting goods, hobby, book, or music stores, and gas stations) |
| | | |
Hotel or motel |
| | | |
Cleaning and building maintenance |
| | | |
Nursing home |
| | | |
Home health care |
| | | |
Landscaping |
| | | |
Security services (including security guards) |
| | | |
Child day care (including day care centers, home child care, nursery schools, preschools, and before or after school care) |
| | | |
How sure are you about each of these answers? What makes you say you’re sure/unsure?
Was there anyone who you weren’t sure which category to put in?
Did you double-count anyone?
Is the text in parentheses helpful, or no?
Was anything confusing or unclear about this?
Recruitment
[SCREEN 1]
You said you know people who work in the following jobs:
[PROGRAMMER: IF ABS, LIST FIVE FROM I1 WITH LOWEST POPULATION COUNTS; IF RDS, LIST FIVE WITH LOWEST NUMBERS OF COMPLETED SURVEYS]
Would you like to invite up to five people you know in these jobs to complete this survey?
We will give you invitations to share with people through email or text message. For each person you invite, we’ll pay you $20 if they qualify and complete the survey. Each person who completes the survey will get $40. If you complete the survey more than once, or if you knowingly invite people who don’t qualify, you will not be paid.
Yes GO TO I4
No
Please tell me in your own words what this is saying.
Why are you not interested in inviting anyone you know to complete the survey?
[GO TO INCENTIVE AND THANK YOU PAGE]
[SCREEN 2]
For the next question, please think out loud as you answer.
For each job, please provide the first name or nickname of one person, their gender, and how you know them. We will provide you invitations to the survey that you can send them.
Please only include people who are:
At least 18 years old
Currently working in the jobs listed below. Please include only one person in each row.
Industry [PRE-FILL LIST FROM I2] |
First name or Nickname |
Gender |
Relationship |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROGRAMMER: USE THESE OPTIONS
Friend
Spouse or partner
Other family member or relative
Co-worker
Other
[SCREEN 3]
How easy or difficult was it to complete this table?
Was there anything confusing or unclear about the instructions?
How would you like us to send you these invitations?
We will only use your contact information for the purpose of sending you these invitations.
Text message
Email
Both
[if text message or both]
Please provide your phone number below.
[if email or both]
Please provide your email address below.
Thank you. When you get the invitations, please send to the people you listed as soon as possible.
Incentive and Thank you Section
As a thank you for participating, we will send you a $40 Amazon gift card.
[IF ABS] Please enter your email address to receive your e-gift card.
If anyone you invite completes the survey, we will mail you additional gift cards. Please enter your address below so we can send the gift card to you. Your address is not linked to any of your responses. We will only use it to mail your gift card.
Address Line 1________________________________
Address Line 2________________________________
City __________ State ____ Zip ______
Thank you again for your participation.
[IF RDS] Please enter your address below so we can send the gift card to you. Your address is not linked to any of your responses., We will only use it to mail your gift card. We will mail you additional gift cards if anyone you invite completes the survey.
Address Line 1________________________________
Address Line 2________________________________
City __________ State ____ Zip ______
Thank you again for your participation.
APPENDIX A
[IF ABS]
Retail trade (selling goods or services to the public)
In this job, are you mainly a:
Retail salesperson
Cashier
Shelf stocker or order filler
Customer service representative
Laborer or freight, stock, or material mover
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Food services (including restaurants, bars, fast food, cafeteria)
In this job, are you mainly a:
Waiter, waitress, or server
Cook
Food preparation worker
Cashier
Bartender
Host or hostess
Fast food or counter worker
Kitchen helper, busser, dishwasher, or other food support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Accommodation or travel/tourism services
In this job, are you mainly a:
Maid or housekeeper
Hotel desk clerk
Janitor or building cleaner
Counter attendant or cashier
Cook
Waiter, waitress, or server
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Laundry or drycleaning worker
Baggage porter, bellhop, or concierge
Travel agent
Customer service representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Business support services (including security, customer service, technical support, cleaning and building maintenance, and waste management)
In this job, are you mainly a:
Landscaping or grounds maintenance worker
Janitor, caretaker or building superintendent
Security guard or security service worker
Maid or housekeeper
Refuse or recycling collector
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Customer service representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Health or social service agency
In this job, are you mainly a:
Nursing, psychiatric, or home health aid
Personal support worker, home support worker, caregiver, or personal aide/attendant
Medical assistant
Child care worker
Dental assistant
Receptionist, administrative assistant or officer support worker
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Teacher assistant
Food service worker (includes cooks, kitchen helper, and other kitchen support)
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Personal/household care, automotive repair, or laundry/alteration services
In this job, are you mainly a:
Hairstylist or barber
Automotive service technician, mechanic or body repairer
Maid or housekeeper
Makeup artist, manicurist or pedicurist, shampooer, or skincare specialist
Child care worker
Receptionist, administrative assistant or officer support worker
Personal support worker, home support worker, caregiver, or personal aide/attendant
Dry cleaning or laundry worker
Tailor, dressmaker, or sewer
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Manufacturing
In this job, are you mainly a:
Assembler or fabricator
Production worker
Laborer or freight, stock, or material mover
Inspector, sampler, sorter, or weigher
Metal or plastic worker
Welding, soldering, or brazing worker
Machinist
Truck driver
Customer service representative
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Salesperson or account representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Transportation or warehousing
In this job, are you mainly a:
Truck driver
Material handler or worker in shipping/receiving
Taxi or limousine driver
Bus driver
Courier, messenger, or delivery service worker
Dispatcher
Shelf stocker, clerk or order filler
Salesperson or account representative
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Construction
In this job, are you mainly a:
General laborer or construction assistant
Carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
Painter or decorator
Roofer
Drywall installer
Welder
Sheet metal worker
Product installer or servicer
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Carpet, floor, and tile installer
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Wholesale trade
In this job, are you mainly a:
Salesperson or account representative
Transport truck driver
Material handler or worker in shipping/receiving or warehousing
Shelf stocker, clerk or order filler
Customer service representative
Packer or packager
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Financial services or insurance
In this job, are you mainly a:
Insurance agent or broker
Bank teller
Insurance claims or policy processing clerk
Customer service representative
Financial sales representative or financial officer
Loan officer or clerk
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support workers
Accountant or auditor
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q?
Real estate (including sales, rentals and leasing)
In this job, are you mainly a:
Leasing or rental agent
Customer service representative
Real estate agent or salesperson
Janitor or caretaker, or building superintendent
Building attendant, valet or concierge
Banking, insurance or other financial clerk
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Professional, scientific or technical services
In this job, are you mainly a:
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Salesperson or account representative
Customer service representative
Financial, accounting, or billing clerk
Paralegal or legal assistant
Veterinary technician
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Education
In this job, are you mainly a:
Teacher assistant in an elementary or secondary school
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Janitor or custodian
Library assistant or clerk
Food service worker (includes cooks, kitchen helper, and other kitchen support)
Bus driver
Instructor or leader in a recreation, sport or fitness program
Child care worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Publishing/recording, broadcasting, telecommunications or data/information services
In this job, are you mainly a:
Telecommunications line installer or repairer
Customer service representative
Salesperson or account representative
Library assistant or clerk
Data entry clerk
Courier, messenger, or door-to-door distributor
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Entertainment, performing arts, sports or recreation
In this job, are you mainly a:
Instructor or leader in a recreation, sport or fitness program
Operator/attendant at a recreational, amusement, or sporting facility
Cashier
Landscape or grounds maintenance laborer
Cleaner or janitor
Food server or food counter attendant
Kitchen helper, busser, dishwasher, or other food service support workers
Child care worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Agriculture, forestry, fishing or hunting
In this job, are you mainly a:
General farm laborer
Harvester
Nursery or greenhouse worker
Livestock worker
Logger, chain saw or skidder operator
Material handler or worker in shipping/receiving or warehousing
Truck driver
Mining or oil/gas extraction
In this job, are you mainly a:
Miner
Truck driver
Salesperson or account representative
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Utilities, including electricity, gas, and water/sewage
In this job, are you mainly a:
Electrical power line or cable worker
Customer service representative
Power plant distributor, operator, or dispatcher
Water or liquid waste treatment plant and system operator
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Security guard or security service worker
Janitor
Plumber
Laborer
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Management of companies or enterprises
In this job, are you mainly a:
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Financial, accounting, or billing clerk
Security guard
Mail clerk
Salesperson or account representative
Data entry clerk
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
IF SOMETHING ELSE
What type of work do you do in this job?
What are your most important activities or duties of your job?
APPENDIX B
[IF RDS]
Food service (including restaurants, bars, fast food, and cafeterias)
In this job, are you mainly a:
Waiter, waitress, or server
Cook
Food preparation worker
Cashier
Bartender
Host or hostess
Fast food or counter worker
Kitchen helper, busser, dishwasher, or other food support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Grocery store or supermarket
In this job, are you mainly a:
Cashier
Shelf stocker or order filler
Customer service representative
Food prep worker
Chef, cook, or baker
Butcher or other meat, poultry, or fish processing worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Retail stores
In this job, are you mainly a:
Salesperson
Cashier
Shelf stocker or order filler
Customer service representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Hotel or motel
In this job, are you mainly a:
Maid or housekeeper
Hotel desk clerk
Janitor or building cleaner
Counter attendant or cashier
Cook
Waiter, waitress, or server
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Laundry or drycleaning worker
Baggage porter, bellhop, or concierge
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Cleaning and building maintenance
In this job, are you mainly a:
Janitor or building cleaner
Maid or housekeeper
Pest control worker
Building installation, maintenance, or repair worker
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Salesperson or account representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Nursing home
In this job, are you mainly a:
Nursing assistant/aid or home health aid
Personal care aid
Maid or housekeeper
Food service worker (includes cooks, kitchen helper, and other kitchen support)
Recreation or fitness worker
Janitor or building cleaner
Food server
Dry cleaning or laundry worker
Food prep worker
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Home healthcare
In this job, are you mainly a:
Nursing assistant/aid or home health aid
Personal care aid
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Landscaping
In this job, are you mainly a:
Landscaping or grounds maintenance worker
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Landscape truck driver
Customer service representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Child day care
In this job, are you mainly a:
Home or center child care worker
Teaching assistant
Cook
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Security services (including security guard)
In this job, are you mainly a:
Security guard
Security alarm installer/technician
Private detective/investigator
Locksmith or safe technician
Salesperson or account representative
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Customer service representative
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
Construction
In this job, are you mainly a:
General laborer or construction assistant
Carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
Painter or decorator
Roofer
Drywall installer
Welder
Sheet metal worker
Product installer or servicer
Receptionist, administrative assistant or office support worker
Carpet, floor, and tile installer
Financial, accounting or billing clerk
Something else GO TO OPEN-ENDED OCCUPATION Q
IF SOMETHING ELSE
What type of work do you do in this job?
What are your most important activities or duties of your job?
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | April Fales |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2024-07-25 |
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