2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service by Question 25. In total, how many years have you been working in your current department or agency?

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

Top of Page

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 52 31 8 4 2 3 0 86 6 30388
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 36 11 6 3 3 0 79 9 51365
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 37 11 6 4 3 0 79 10 31844
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 37 10 5 3 2 0 82 8 15163
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 29 10 3 2 5 1 85 4 32196
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 35 14 4 3 4 1 78 7 80413
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 37 15 4 3 4 1 77 8 40955
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 36 38 15 4 3 4 1 78 7 24618

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 54 32 6 5 3 0 0 87 8 30371
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 40 10 10 7 0 0 73 17 51278
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 41 11 12 8 0 0 69 20 31781
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 41 10 10 8 0 0 71 19 15114
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 59 29 6 3 2 0 0 89 5 32187
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 38 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 80406
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 39 12 7 5 0 0 75 12 40934
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 36 40 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 24619

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 33 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 30342
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 28 36 14 12 9 0 0 64 21 51243
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 36 15 13 10 0 0 62 23 31773
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 37 15 11 9 0 0 64 21 15138
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 34 35 15 9 6 0 1 70 15 32198
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 36 16 13 9 0 0 62 22 80434
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 36 16 13 10 0 0 61 23 40955
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 27 37 16 12 9 0 0 63 21 24643

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 32 37 14 10 5 2 0 70 16 30327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 36 16 15 11 1 0 57 26 51285
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 36 17 16 12 1 0 55 28 31778
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 19 36 18 14 11 1 0 56 26 15133

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 48 30 9 7 4 1 1 80 11 30350
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 34 12 10 8 0 0 70 18 51304
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 36 12 10 9 0 0 68 19 31818
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 32 36 13 10 8 0 1 69 18 15151
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 45 31 11 7 4 1 1 78 11 32197
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 34 13 10 7 0 1 70 17 80408
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 35 13 11 8 0 1 68 19 40934
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 33 35 13 10 7 0 1 69 17 24623

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 36 10 7 5 0 0 78 12 30383
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 37 15 13 10 0 0 62 23 51347
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 37 15 14 12 0 0 60 25 31845
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 38 14 13 11 0 0 62 24 15142
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 35 12 7 4 0 0 77 12 32195
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 37 18 13 8 0 0 62 20 80440
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 37 18 14 9 0 0 59 23 40956
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 37 17 13 9 0 0 61 21 24644

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 48 35 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 30382
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 41 11 8 4 0 0 76 12 51372
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 42 12 7 4 0 0 76 12 31838
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 38 41 10 7 4 0 0 79 11 15164
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 46 36 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 32188
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 41 12 6 4 0 0 78 10 80414
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 41 12 6 4 0 0 78 10 40933
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 41 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 24611
Top of Page

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 62 23 6 5 4 0 0 85 9 30405
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 27 8 7 7 0 0 78 14 51413
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 29 8 8 7 0 0 77 15 31885
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 30 8 7 7 0 0 78 14 15178

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 62 22 7 4 3 1 0 85 8 30363
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 26 10 6 6 1 0 78 12 51337
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 27 11 6 7 1 0 76 13 31826
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 47 28 11 6 6 1 0 76 13 15138

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 41 32 11 9 7 0 0 73 17 30378
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 31 14 15 15 0 0 56 30 51345
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 32 14 16 16 0 0 54 32 31850
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 34 14 14 14 0 0 58 28 15154

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 36 34 16 7 4 2 0 72 12 30343
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 35 19 11 8 1 0 62 19 51303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 36 18 11 8 1 0 63 19 31810
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 37 18 9 7 1 0 66 16 15120

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 28 41 16 6 0 0 37 22 30173
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 18 42 23 12 0 0 22 36 50880
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 15 42 26 14 0 0 18 40 31455
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 14 42 26 14 0 0 17 40 14904

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 7 16 38 25 13 0 1 39 22 30139
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 24 41 18 6 0 0 24 35 50843
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 26 41 16 5 0 0 20 38 31409
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 26 41 16 5 0 0 21 37 14962
Top of Page

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 16 84 30167
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 76 50927
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 76 31503
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 22 78 14970
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 15 85 32182
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 80 80332
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 20 80 40901
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 17 83 24611

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 53 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 11485
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 7096
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 44 2988
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 54 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 45 3865

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 60 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 64 11486
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 68 7097
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 65 2988
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 58 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 62 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 64 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 64 3865

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 5 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 11485
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 7095
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 12 2988
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 5 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 3865

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 2 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 11485
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 7095
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 2988
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 3865

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 11484
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 7095
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 2988
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 3865

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 11485
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 7095
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 2988
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 3865

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 4766
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 11483
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 7095
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 2987
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 4645
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 15526
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 7714
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 3865
Top of Page

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 92 30295
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 86 51219
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 14 86 31714
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 12 88 15098
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 94 32182
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 91 80292
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 40893
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 93 24588

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 6616
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 4157
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 1728

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 69 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 78 6616
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 83 4160
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 83 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 71 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 80 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 84 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 81 1728

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 6616
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 4157
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 1728

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 2 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 6615
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 4156
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 2 1728

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 10 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 6616
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 4157
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 1728

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 13 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 6616
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 4157
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 10 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 1728

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 2448
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 6616
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 4157
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 1623
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 1854
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 6600
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 3339
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 1728