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quarter to quarter varied, so FSs had to review staff assignments throughout the quarter and
continually recruit and hire additional staff.
While most areas were close to the targeted number, some areas struggled. To
compensate for these problem areas, TFIs were used to perform the work. Supervisors also
borrowed FIs from other areas to complete the work. These borrowed interviewers had
completed their initial assignment and were willing to travel and take on additional work.
3.5.2 Attrition
The attrition rate among the interviewing staff was 22.6 percent, a decrease from the rate
of 27.8 percent in 2002. Although fewer FIs left the project, the continuing attrition meant FSs
had to continually recruit new staff and juggle assignments to ensure that all of the assigned
work was completed appropriately. There were significant costs associated with continuous
recruiting efforts. These included not only the time of the FSs and the RTI office staff, but the
costs of placing additional newspaper ads, preparing and shipping recruiting material, traveling
to conduct interviews with candidates, and eventually training the newly hired staff. Additional
costs were also incurred when TFIs had to be sent to work in areas where no interviewer was
available.
Table 3.1 Distribution of 2003 Veteran Interviewers, by Race and Gender
Race Male Percent Male Female
Percent
Female
Total
Percent of
Total
Black 19 12.8 61 12.2 80 12.3
White 120 81.1 414 82.5 534 82.2
Other 9 6.1 27 5.4 36 5.5
Total 148 100.0 502 100.0 650 100.0
Table 3.2 Distribution of Interviewers Hired in 2003, by Race and Gender
Race Male Percent Male Female
Percent
Female
Total
Percent of
Total
Black 2 5.7 20 15.0 22 13.1
White 30 85.7 106 79.7 136 81.0
Other 3 8.6 7 5.3 10 6.0
Total 35 100.0 133 100.0 168 100.0
Table 3.3 Distribution of All 2003 Interviewers, by Race and Gender
Race Male Percent Male Female
Percent
Female
Total
Percent of
Total
Black 21 11.5 81 12.8 102 12.5
White 150 82.0 520 81.9 670 81.9
Other 12 6.6 34 5.4 46 5.6
Total 183 100.0 635 100.0 818 100.0
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