Data Collector Commitment Statement

In order to support the DCO Vision, Mission and Values we have established the following:

Quality

• Data collectors are expected to complete production assignments according to SRC procedures and quality expectations. Inability to maintain quality will result in counseling and may lead to removal from the project.
• Data collectors will not falsify data, nor intentionally enter answers or data that differ from the answers provided. Data collector’s time, expense and attendance submissions will accurately reflect the work performed.

Data Collector Success

• SRC will provide training on data collection policies and procedures to prepare staff for each project. Data collectors are expected to attend all training sessions and successfully pass certification in order to be staffed and continue to work on each project.
• Each data collector will report to a production manager who will assist the data collector to develop and maintain survey production and quality, and provide performance feedback. The data collector will communicate with the designated production manager or team leader on a regular basis to discuss goals and to improve and maintain job performance. The production manager is responsible for all personnel issues. Data collectors are expected to communicate all personnel matters to a production manager or a member of the DCO Management Team.
• SRC will provide all materials necessary to perform the work assigned (i.e., tablet/computer, cell phone, respondent materials, and supplies).
• For shifts in the Survey Services Lab (SSL) data collectors will be required to submit availabilities. Data collectors who fail to submit availability by the deadline may not be scheduled to work. Availabilities must meet the minimum standards for each project (hours per week, time of day, and day of the week) and will be used to produce a specific work schedule. Schedules are determined by project needs, overall work availability and individual data collector’s skills and availability.
• If a data collector is unable to work a scheduled shift or keep a scheduled appointment they must provide notice as early as possible. Replacement of those hours are dependent on performance, and the availability to meet the business needs of the project.
• Production schedules can change. Projects may have a delayed start, end early or extend past the originally projected end date. Data collectors will be kept informed of schedule changes and work availability. In turn data collectors will keep their project team informed of their availability. In order to meet changing project priorities, data collectors in the SSL may be asked to work different projects or tasks during a shift, than they were originally scheduled.
• Data collectors are expected to meet or exceed project goals and will be counseled and/or removed from the project if they are unable to do so. The ability to meet production goals, attendance and evaluations of data quality are used to evaluate overall performance on each project.

Stewardship

• Data collectors are expected to work as efficiently as possible while maintaining SRC procedures and quality expectations. Inability to work efficiently will result in counseling and may lead to removal from the project.
• Data collectors are responsible for entering time and allowable expenses daily. No amount of overtime should be worked without prior approval from a production manager.
• At the end of a project assignment, each data collector is responsible for returning all equipment and supplies and repaying all travel advance monies. Failure to do so can result in collection activities or police action.

Professional Code of Conduct

• Data collectors will submit and adhere to a schedule. Any large deviations in that schedule should be communicated in advance. Planned time off should also be communicated in advance with the understanding that large breaks in work/employment may require that laptop, equipment and supplies be returned to the Ann Arbor office.
• Meeting production goals is important for the entire project team. Therefore, data collectors who stop working for a week or more may be asked to transfer sample. Data collectors may be asked to transfer sample at any point during the production period and it is their responsibility to do so in a timely fashion.
• Consolidation is a normal part of a project cycle and may occur at any time. As a result, a data collector’s work assignment may change or come to an end before the scheduled end of the project. Factors used to make these staffing decisions include but are not limited to: performance, conduct, attendance and sample or data collector availability.
• Data collectors will conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner whenever on University of Michigan business. This would include wearing their badge when working in the field.
• Data collectors are responsible for completing appropriate documentation after each contact attempt and transmitting data to the Ann Arbor office daily. They are also responsible for the completion and return of all administrative forms supporting data collection.
• All data collectors are subject to the standards set forth in this commitment statement (along with any project-specific commitment statement), policies and processes outlined in the Data Collection Staff Handbook and standards which may be established from time to time. Inability or failure to meet these standards, or any conduct that is detrimental to the efficient operation and image of the Survey Research Center, may result in actions ranging from counseling to termination of employment.