2011-5935. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Complaint of Discrimination Against the U.S. Department of Commerce

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, Office of Civil Rights.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before May 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Kathryn Anderson, 202-482-3680, or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations at 29 CFR 1614.106 require that a Federal employee or applicant for Federal employment alleging discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or reprisal for protected activity must submit a signed statement that is sufficiently precise to identify the actions or practices that form the bases of the complaint. Although complainants are not required to use the proposed form to file their complaints, the Office of Civil Rights strongly encourages its use to ensure efficient case processing and trend analyses of complaint activity. The proposed form is an update of a previously approved collection. The revisions update the room and fax numbers for the submission of complaints, make collection of the complainant's Social Security Number optional, clarify the information requested about the organizational and geographic location where the complaint arose, and provide space for complainants and representatives to supply e-mail addresses.

II. Method of Collection

A paper form, signed by the complainant or his or her designated representative, must be submitted by mail or delivery service, in person, or by facsimile transmission.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0690-0015.

Form Number: CD-498.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $156.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: March 10, 2011.

Glenna Mickelson,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.