We have recently heard that Social Security plans to modernize the occupational data they’ve relied on for decades. In my opinion, that’s great news!
Over my career, I’ve heard vocational experts cite obsolete jobs such as Addresser, Document Preparer, Surveillance System Monitor, and Telephone Quotation Clerk. For example, an addresser is described as a person that “addresses by hand or typewriter, envelopes, cards, advertising literature, packages, and similar items for mailing. May sort mail.” From what I have learned, the addresser job appears to be obsolete but the vocational experts I’ve asked continue to insist otherwise.
This is primarily because the vocational expert has to rely on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, which was last updated in 1991. And according to many sources, some of these job titles have not been updated since 1977. The best selling car in 1977 was a Chevrolet Caprice/Impala which we would now see as a classic car today. Most people would agree that the job market has changed substantially since 1977 with greater use of computers and AI technology which is disrupting the workplace.
Because of that, Social Security’s continued reliance on the outdated DOT is hurting its ability to make accurate conclusions about a person’s ability to perform their past work or adjust to other jobs in the national economy. The VE’s often rely on both the DOT as well as other publications to determine job numbers. I will point out that Social Security has been working on finalizing their Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) for several years (my entire legal career so far with no final rule to start using it!). However, they do seem more serious this time around on finally allowing SSA to start using it in their determinations.
While no single survey is perfect, I believe that it will be helpful for all of us to know which resources Social Security and the VE is relying on. The ORS will also be updated regularly which will provide us with a better picture of what jobs are truly available and how these jobs are being performed today in the national economy. We will also have access to the ORS if we wish to challenge the VE’s findings.
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