Analysis of the Current Employment Statistics program using customer outreach survey results

The Current Employment Statistics (CES) program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducted a customer outreach survey in early 2014 to evaluate customer satisfaction with the program, which produces monthly estimates of employment, hours, and earnings using payroll records from a sample of business establishments. CES data users reported being most interested in major industry and industry sector employment from the CES program. More users are interested in statewide data than in national data. Additionally, users prefer news releases and BLS databases to obtain CES data and information over other CES products, such as Current Employment Statistics Highlights, Monthly Labor Review articles, and technical notes. The overwhelming majority of CES data providers reported that they are unfamiliar with the CES program and its outputs. Overall, however, CES stakeholders are satisfied with the quality and quantity of the CES data and publications, revisions, and customer service.