U.S. Department of Labor Statement Regarding Contingent Worker Survey

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today released the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements survey (May 2017):

"The Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released the results of its 2017 Contingent Worker Survey; BLS anticipates releasing the results of the Contingent Worker Supplement questions this September.

"The survey concluded that 1.3% of wage and salary workers held jobs that they consider temporary or that they do not expect to last beyond one year. When self-employed individuals and independent contractors are added, this percentage increased to 1.6%. Never before in this series of data have these percentages been so low, providing evidence that the 2017 American workforce was more secure in their jobs than at any other time that this survey was taken.

"The BLS has not yet released the results of the Supplement, which included questions about how the Internet and mobile apps have led to new types of work arrangements. These measures of electronically mediated jobs, often associated with the modern 'gig' economy, are now scheduled by BLS for release in September.

"The Department of Labor eagerly anticipates receiving the results of this supplemental survey this September as this data can contribute to a much needed discussion on the increasing role of alternative work arrangements in our economy."