Frequently Asked Questions

What is Workscape Analytics?

Workscape Analytics is an innovative tool that helps vocational experts analyze and interpret labor market data using current ORS and OEWS data to generate reliable and accurate job number estimates.

How do I get started?

Getting started is easy! Simply create an account, choose your subscription plan, and you'll have immediate access to our platform. We also offer free training sessions to help you maximize your experience.

What support do you offer?

We provide comprehensive support including live training sessions, documentation, email support, and one-on-one demos to ensure you get the most out of our platform.

How current is your data?

We use the most current data available from the Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) and Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS) to ensure accuracy in your analyses.

The ORS data includes the data released on August 15, 2024 that complement those published February 8, 2024. This data is available at: www.bls.gov/ors/notices/2024/august-2024-release.htm"

What is the general approach used by Workscape Analytics to estimate job numbers?

Workscape Analytics uses the most recent data sets referenced in SSR 24-3P from The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS), the Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS), Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes as well as the American Community Survey (ACS) to estimate job numbers. For each SOC group, ORS lists percentages of up to 300 occupational data points such as “light”, “SVP 2”, “occasional fine manipulation” etc. OEWS has a total jobs estimate, also by SOC group. ACS has estimates of jobs performed full-time by most SOC groups. Each element of the Judge’s hypothetical is an occupational requirement. Users simply select the checkbox for each requirement in Workscape’s RFC Checklist, then click “calculate” for results. Workscape calculates the ORS percentages of the requirements in each occupational (SOC) group using the BLS “Basic Approach” method, creating a unique RFC coefficient percentage. The ORS total jobs estimate is the RFC coefficient percentage for an SOC group multiplied by the OEWS total jobs for the same SOC group. The full-time jobs estimate is the ACS full-time percentage applied to the ORS-OEWS total jobs estimate. While acknowledging that DOT classification information is obsolete given the availability of ORS data, Workscape includes with each SOC group a representative DOT title, DOT code and related archival references if requested during testimony.

How are the STRENGTH Category and LIFTING OR CARRYING choices related?

Please use either the STRENGTH Category or the LIFTING OR CARRYING Category as they are sometimes are mutually exclusive in ORS. To be clear on the impact of both these Categories on a SOC jobs, please open the SOC Detail page from the Jobs page and review how these factors both reduce the number of jobs for that SOC.

How are the Strength choices in the Residual Function Capacity Checklist defined?

Workscape Analytics follows the guidelines published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for a Seldom or Occasional duration of carrying or lifting:
Sedentary: Up to 10 lbs.
Light: 11-25 lbs.
Medium: 26-50 lbs.
Heavy: 51-100 lbs.
Very Heavy: Over 100 lbs.

How are Frequency choices defined by ORS?

Not Required: Not required for this SOC code.
Seldom: ≤2% of the time.
Occasionally: Between >2% - 33% of the time.
Frequently: Between >33% - 66% of the time.
Constantly: More than >66% of the time.