Maryland and Virginia have joined the list of states that require employers to respond to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report. The OEWS provides employment and wage estimates for 830 occupations in more than 400 industries.
The report surveys employers nationwide and produces estimates for states, metropolitan areas, nonmetropolitan areas, the District of Columbia, and selected U.S. territories. BLS partners with state agencies to select employers and collect information.
Federal law does not mandate OEWS participation, but 25 states and the District of Columbia now require selected employers to participate. Employers selected to complete the OEWS in jurisdictions where it is mandatory risk potential fines if they fail to submit the report. The next round of OEWS reporting requests should arrive shortly after May 12.
Employers should develop a plan for responding to mandatory OEWS requests. Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association, can use this Mandatory Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports and Surveys resource to see which states mandate the OEWS report. Members also can consult CWC’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report Resource Guide.
CWC members can read more here.