2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service by Question 20 and 21. Please indicate your occupational group and level. Occupational Group DS

The results of the 2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey (PSEAS) are presented according to the numerical order of questions, grouped by section theme as they appeared in the questionnaire. Results are not shown when there is no historical comparison, or when there is an insufficient number of responses.

Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100. Results have been adjusted for non-response to better represent the target population. Therefore, percentages should not be used to determine the number of respondents within a response category.

Survey Themes

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My Workplace

Question 1. My department or agency implements activities and practices that support a diverse workplace.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 35 41 17 4 1 3 0 77 6 277
2017 DS-03 35 29 24 0 0 12 0 73 0 34
2017 DS-04 36 39 19 4 0 2 0 76 4 103
2017 DS-05 37 36 16 6 3 1 0 74 9 86
2017 DS-06 23 66 9 3 0 0 0 89 3 35
2014 DS 32 38 17 4 1 7 1 76 6 353
2014 DS-03 47 30 13 3 0 7 0 82 4 30
2014 DS-04 28 35 20 5 1 9 1 71 7 137
2014 DS-05 32 41 16 1 2 7 0 79 4 123
2014 DS-06 36 44 8 8 3 0 3 82 11 39

Question 2. Overall, my department or agency treats me with respect.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 27 40 13 14 6 0 0 67 20 277
2017 DS-03 47 35 6 6 6 0 0 82 12 34
2017 DS-04 25 37 15 16 7 0 0 62 23 104
2017 DS-05 16 49 10 15 9 0 0 65 24 86
2017 DS-06 35 38 15 9 3 0 0 74 12 34
2014 DS 35 40 12 9 4 0 0 76 12 353
2014 DS-03 50 30 10 10 0 0 0 80 10 30
2014 DS-04 31 40 15 12 3 0 0 71 15 137
2014 DS-05 33 44 11 5 7 1 0 77 11 123
2014 DS-06 49 41 0 10 0 0 0 90 10 39
2011 DS 39 44 11 4 2 0 0 83 7 400
2011 DS-03 45 45 7 4 0 0 0 89 4 54
2011 DS-04 37 45 10 5 3 0 0 82 9 164
2011 DS-05 33 45 14 4 3 1 0 79 6 112
2011 DS-06 45 43 9 3 0 0 0 88 3 47
2008 DS 43 38 8 6 4 0 0 81 10 280
2008 DS-03 45 35 11 5 4 0 0 80 9 56
2008 DS-04 38 37 10 10 4 1 0 76 14 100
2008 DS-05 50 36 4 5 5 0 0 86 11 76
2008 DS-06 30 56 11 0 4 0 0 85 4 27

Question 3. I am encouraged to be innovative or to take initiative in my work.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 29 39 9 17 7 0 0 67 24 276
2017 DS-03 41 29 3 21 6 0 0 71 26 34
2017 DS-04 33 43 9 12 4 0 0 76 16 103
2017 DS-05 20 34 13 21 13 0 0 53 34 86
2017 DS-06 26 43 9 17 6 0 0 69 23 35
2014 DS 29 38 14 12 7 0 0 67 19 353
2014 DS-03 33 43 13 7 3 0 0 77 10 30
2014 DS-04 25 37 15 15 7 0 0 62 23 137
2014 DS-05 27 41 13 11 9 0 0 67 20 123
2014 DS-06 51 31 5 10 3 0 0 82 13 39

Question 4. I believe I would be supported if I proposed a new idea, even though it might not work.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 16 37 17 20 11 0 0 53 31 278
2017 DS-03 26 41 9 18 6 0 0 68 24 34
2017 DS-04 15 38 19 21 7 0 0 53 28 104
2017 DS-05 9 28 22 20 20 1 0 38 40 86
2017 DS-06 17 49 6 23 6 0 0 66 29 35

Question 5. I have support at work to balance my work and personal life.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 24 43 14 12 7 0 0 67 19 278
2017 DS-03 35 44 3 12 6 0 0 79 18 34
2017 DS-04 25 42 14 11 8 0 0 67 18 104
2017 DS-05 19 47 17 10 7 0 0 65 17 86
2017 DS-06 23 40 14 14 9 0 0 63 23 35
2014 DS 30 36 14 11 8 1 1 67 19 353
2014 DS-03 27 43 13 17 0 0 0 70 17 30
2014 DS-04 33 34 16 7 6 3 1 70 14 138
2014 DS-05 29 37 15 10 8 1 1 67 18 122
2014 DS-06 31 23 10 21 15 0 0 54 36 39
2011 DS 37 34 11 13 4 1 0 71 18 401
2011 DS-03 55 34 7 4 0 0 0 89 4 54
2011 DS-04 38 34 12 10 5 1 0 73 15 164
2011 DS-05 29 31 16 17 4 1 1 62 22 112
2011 DS-06 29 41 4 26 0 0 0 70 26 47

Question 6. I am satisfied with my department or agency.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 16 35 18 17 14 0 0 50 32 277
2017 DS-03 24 44 12 18 3 0 0 68 21 34
2017 DS-04 17 35 17 12 19 0 0 52 31 104
2017 DS-05 8 33 20 20 20 0 0 41 40 86
2017 DS-06 18 32 18 29 3 0 0 50 32 34
2014 DS 20 30 20 16 14 0 0 50 30 353
2014 DS-03 30 30 3 27 10 0 0 60 37 30
2014 DS-04 18 27 24 16 15 0 0 45 31 137
2014 DS-05 17 33 20 15 15 0 0 50 29 123
2014 DS-06 28 31 13 21 8 0 0 59 28 39
2011 DS 25 43 13 14 5 0 0 68 20 401
2011 DS-03 30 42 7 17 2 2 0 74 19 54
2011 DS-04 21 46 11 14 9 0 0 66 23 164
2011 DS-05 20 46 15 15 4 0 0 66 19 112
2011 DS-06 37 32 21 10 0 0 0 69 10 47
2008 DS 36 40 8 10 5 1 0 77 15 280
2008 DS-03 31 39 14 14 0 2 0 71 15 56
2008 DS-04 29 43 8 12 6 2 0 73 19 100
2008 DS-05 46 37 5 5 7 0 0 83 12 76
2008 DS-06 37 44 4 7 7 0 0 81 15 27

Question 7. Overall, I like my job.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 34 39 15 11 2 0 0 72 13 275
2017 DS-03 44 26 15 9 6 0 0 71 15 34
2017 DS-04 34 37 20 9 0 0 0 72 9 102
2017 DS-05 28 45 12 12 4 0 0 73 15 85
2017 DS-06 37 43 9 11 0 0 0 80 11 35
2014 DS 34 42 10 8 5 0 0 77 13 353
2014 DS-03 33 43 7 10 7 0 0 77 17 30
2014 DS-04 29 40 14 9 7 1 0 70 16 137
2014 DS-05 35 47 9 7 2 0 0 82 9 123
2014 DS-06 46 44 3 8 0 0 0 90 8 39
2011 DS 47 39 7 4 2 0 0 86 6 401
2011 DS-03 46 33 11 9 0 0 0 79 9 54
2011 DS-04 43 41 8 4 3 0 0 85 7 164
2011 DS-05 44 44 6 4 2 0 0 88 5 112
2011 DS-06 62 32 4 2 0 0 0 94 2 47
2008 DS 53 37 4 5 1 0 0 90 5 280
2008 DS-03 53 34 4 9 0 0 0 87 9 56
2008 DS-04 48 39 7 4 1 1 0 88 5 100
2008 DS-05 57 37 1 4 1 0 0 93 5 76
2008 DS-06 48 44 4 4 0 0 0 93 4 27
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Workplace Well-Being

Question 8. My immediate supervisor creates an environment where I feel free to discuss with him or her matters that affect my well-being at work.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 48 27 13 6 6 0 0 75 13 278
2017 DS-03 50 18 12 18 3 0 0 68 21 34
2017 DS-04 47 29 14 5 5 0 0 76 10 104
2017 DS-05 44 28 13 6 9 0 0 72 15 86
2017 DS-06 57 29 9 3 3 0 0 86 6 35

Question 9. My immediate supervisor seems to care about me as a person.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 47 28 13 5 7 0 0 76 12 278
2017 DS-03 50 35 9 3 3 0 0 85 6 34
2017 DS-04 45 27 14 7 6 1 0 73 13 104
2017 DS-05 50 24 12 2 12 0 0 74 14 86
2017 DS-06 49 31 14 6 0 0 0 80 6 35

Question 10. I would describe my workplace as being psychologically healthy.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 14 36 17 21 12 0 0 51 33 278
2017 DS-03 15 56 15 12 3 0 0 71 15 34
2017 DS-04 17 29 14 26 13 0 0 46 39 104
2017 DS-05 9 34 19 22 16 0 0 43 38 86
2017 DS-06 17 43 23 14 3 0 0 60 17 35

Question 11. My department or agency does a good job of raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 22 40 23 12 3 1 0 62 15 278
2017 DS-03 35 35 18 6 3 3 0 73 9 34
2017 DS-04 17 42 22 16 2 0 0 60 18 104
2017 DS-05 21 33 28 12 5 2 0 55 17 86
2017 DS-06 23 51 20 3 3 0 0 74 6 35

Question 12. Overall, my level of work-related stress is…

Survey year Demographic Very low
(%)
Low
(%)
Moderate
(%)
High
(%)
Very High
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 1 12 36 34 17 0 0 13 51 278
2017 DS-03 0 21 50 18 12 0 0 21 29 34
2017 DS-04 3 16 32 36 13 0 0 19 49 104
2017 DS-05 0 6 36 36 22 0 0 6 58 86
2017 DS-06 0 9 40 34 17 0 0 9 51 35

Question 13. After my workday, I feel emotionally drained.

Survey year Demographic Always/ Almost always
(%)
Often
(%)
Sometimes
(%)
Rarely
(%)
Never/ Almost never
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 13 27 43 13 4 0 0 17 40 271
2017 DS-03 12 15 36 33 3 0 0 36 27 33
2017 DS-04 12 20 47 14 7 0 1 21 32 102
2017 DS-05 14 39 41 4 2 0 0 6 53 83
2017 DS-06 9 32 41 15 3 0 0 18 41 34
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Harassment

Harassment is normally a series of incidents, but it can be one severe incident that has a lasting impact on the individual.
Harassment is any improper conduct by an individual that is directed at and offensive to another individual in the workplace, including at any event or any location related to work, and that the individual knew or ought reasonably to have known would cause offence or harm. It comprises objectionable act(s), comment(s) or display(s) that demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation or embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat. It also includes harassment within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act (i.e., based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record).

Question 14. Having carefully read the definition of harassment, have you been the victim of harassment on the job in the past two years?

Survey year Demographic Yes
(%)
No
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 19 81 276
2017 DS-03 18 82 34
2017 DS-04 26 74 103
2017 DS-05 16 84 86
2014 DS 12 88 353
2014 DS-04 14 86 138
2014 DS-05 11 89 122
2014 DS-06 15 85 39

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 43 53
2017 DS-04 33 27
2017 DS-05 50 14
2014 DS 48 44
2014 DS-04 42 19
2014 DS-05 50 14

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 58 53
2017 DS-04 56 27
2014 DS 66 44
2014 DS-04 79 19
2014 DS-05 57 14

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 11 53
2014 DS 11 44
2014 DS-04 0 19

Question 15d. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals for whom I have a custodial responsibility (e.g., inmates, offenders, patients, detainees)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 0 53
2017 DS-04 0 27
2017 DS-05 0 14
2014 DS 0 44
2014 DS-04 0 19
2014 DS-05 0 14

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS-05 0 14
2014 DS-04 0 19

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 0 53
2017 DS-04 0 27
2017 DS-05 0 14
2014 DS-04 0 19

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS-05 0 14
2014 DS 0 44
2014 DS-04 0 19
2014 DS-05 0 14
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Discrimination

Discrimination means treating someone differently or unfairly because of a personal characteristic or distinction, which, whether intentional or not, has an effect that imposes disadvantages not imposed on others, or that withholds or limits access that is given to others. There are 11 prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record.

Question 16. Having carefully read the definition of discrimination, have you been the victim of discrimination on the job in the past two years?

Survey year Demographic Yes
(%)
No
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 9 91 277
2017 DS-04 11 89 104
2017 DS-05 7 93 86
2014 DS 4 96 353
2014 DS-04 4 96 138
2014 DS-05 5 95 122

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 32 25
2017 DS-04 45 11
2014 DS 36 14

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS-04 0 11

Question 17d. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals for whom I have a custodial responsibility (e.g., inmates, offenders, patients, detainees)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 0 25
2017 DS-04 0 11
2014 DS 0 14

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS 0 25
2017 DS-04 0 11
2014 DS 0 14

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 DS-04 0 11