2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Canada Revenue Agency by Question 24. In total, how many years have you been working in the federal public service?

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 24 5 3 2 2 0 90 5 2797
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 32 7 4 2 2 0 87 6 7169
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 33 8 5 2 2 0 85 7 6991
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 33 7 4 2 2 0 86 7 5403
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 65 25 5 1 1 2 0 93 2 3608
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 31 9 2 2 3 0 87 4 10161
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 34 11 4 2 3 0 82 6 9194
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 36 12 3 2 2 0 83 5 8582

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 the federal public service 65 25 3 3 3 0 0 91 6 2792
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 37 7 8 5 0 0 80 12 7164
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 40 9 10 7 0 0 74 17 6969
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 42 9 10 7 0 0 74 17 5389
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 71 24 3 1 1 0 0 95 2 3612
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 34 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 10155
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 10 6 4 0 0 80 10 9192
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 38 10 6 4 0 0 80 10 8588
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 29 6 3 1 0 0 90 4 2760
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 40 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 11263
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 41 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 8449
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 41 12 7 5 0 0 77 12 8770
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 33 5 2 1 0 0 91 3 3847
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 44 10 6 3 0 0 80 9 9318
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 44 13 7 5 1 0 74 13 8353
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 43 11 8 5 1 0 77 12 7259

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 the federal public service 42 32 14 7 4 0 1 75 11 2784
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 36 14 10 7 0 0 69 17 7156
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 36 14 11 8 0 0 67 19 6972
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 37 15 11 8 0 0 66 20 5397
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 31 34 19 11 5 1 1 65 16 3613
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 36 17 13 9 0 0 61 22 10159
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 36 16 13 10 0 0 62 22 9199
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 37 16 12 9 0 0 63 21 8586

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 the federal public service 32 36 16 8 5 3 1 71 13 2783
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 37 17 13 8 2 0 62 21 7162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 36 17 15 10 1 0 58 25 6966
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 37 17 13 10 1 0 59 24 5395

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 the federal public service 57 27 7 4 3 1 1 85 7 2790
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 34 10 6 4 1 1 80 10 7158
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 37 10 8 5 0 0 77 13 6978
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 11 8 5 0 1 76 13 5395
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 30 9 4 2 1 1 85 6 3614
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 35 11 7 4 0 0 79 10 10157
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 37 11 8 5 0 0 76 13 9193
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 12 8 5 0 1 76 13 8589
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 32 9 3 2 1 1 85 6 2769
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 39 9 6 3 0 1 81 9 11285
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 39 10 7 4 0 1 79 11 8482
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 39 11 6 3 0 1 79 10 8797

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 the federal public service 50 33 8 5 4 0 0 84 8 2788
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 38 12 10 7 0 0 71 16 7170
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 39 13 11 8 0 0 67 19 6985
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 39 13 12 9 0 0 67 21 5395
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 33 8 4 2 0 0 86 6 3612
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 39 14 8 4 0 0 75 12 10158
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 15 11 6 0 0 68 17 9196
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 39 15 11 7 0 0 67 18 8590
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 36 10 5 2 1 0 82 8 2763
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 41 15 8 4 0 0 73 12 11270
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 41 17 10 6 0 0 67 16 8465
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 41 17 9 6 0 0 68 15 8789
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 37 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 3845
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 44 13 8 4 0 0 75 12 9320
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 44 15 10 6 0 0 69 16 8344
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 41 13 9 6 0 0 72 15 7260

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 the federal public service 53 33 7 4 3 0 0 87 7 2794
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 40 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 7166
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 42 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 6978
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 41 10 7 4 0 0 79 11 5394
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 34 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 3611
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 41 11 5 3 0 0 80 8 10159
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 41 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 9191
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 41 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 8583
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 39 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 2772
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 43 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 11289
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 44 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 8489
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 42 9 4 3 0 0 84 7 8805
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 42 8 5 2 0 0 84 7 3850
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 45 9 6 3 0 0 83 8 9331
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 45 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 8357
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 42 8 5 3 0 0 85 7 7270
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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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 70 19 5 4 3 0 0 89 7 2790
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 26 6 5 4 0 0 85 9 7166
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 28 7 6 5 0 0 82 11 6991
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 29 8 5 5 0 0 82 11 5405

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 the federal public service 68 19 6 3 3 1 0 89 6 2783
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 26 8 4 4 1 0 84 8 7156
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 28 10 4 5 1 0 81 9 6980
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 28 10 5 5 1 0 80 10 5394

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 the federal public service 50 30 9 6 4 0 0 81 11 2788
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 35 13 12 8 0 0 66 21 7159
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 34 13 14 12 0 0 61 26 6982
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 33 14 13 11 1 0 61 25 5398

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 the federal public service 47 32 12 4 3 2 0 81 7 2786
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 38 15 7 4 1 0 73 12 7154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 38 15 8 5 1 0 72 13 6973
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 38 16 8 4 1 0 71 12 5381

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 the federal public service 10 34 40 12 4 0 0 44 16 2768
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 22 45 19 8 0 0 27 27 7095
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 44 24 12 0 0 19 36 6879
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 15 44 25 13 0 0 18 38 5296

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 the federal public service 5 12 38 27 16 1 1 44 17 2771
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 19 45 20 7 0 0 28 27 7088
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 24 43 17 5 0 0 22 35 6882
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 26 43 16 5 0 0 21 36 5295
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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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 8 92 2765
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 7112
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 79 6896
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 5305
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 8 92 3614
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 85 10149
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 9183
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 8580

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 217
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 1200
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 1388
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 990
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 62 278
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 1536
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 1615
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 1268

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 the federal public service 46 217
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 59 1200
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 67 1388
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 69 990
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 278
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 1536
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 63 1615
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 64 1268

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 1200
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 1388
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 990
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 1536
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 1615
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 1268

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 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 990

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 the federal public service 5 217
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 1200
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 1388
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 990
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 278
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 1536
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 1615
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 1268

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 the federal public service 21 217
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 1200
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 1388
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 990
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 14 278
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 1536
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 1615
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 1268

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 217
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 2 1200
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 1388
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 990
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 278
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 1536
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 1615
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 1268
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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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 95 2787
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 88 7135
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 6956
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 5374
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 97 3613
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 10148
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 9183
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 8567

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 136
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 861
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 878
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 574
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 109
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 734
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 791
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 602

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 the federal public service 56 136
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 77 861
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 83 878
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 85 574
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 109
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 76 734
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 82 791
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 83 602

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 861
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 878
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 574
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 734
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 791
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 1 602

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 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 574
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 109
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 602

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 the federal public service 9 136
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 861
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 878
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 574
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 6 109
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 734
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 791
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 602

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 the federal public service 26 136
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 861
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 878
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 574
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 18 109
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 734
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 791
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 602

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 16 136
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 861
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 878
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 574
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 15 109
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 734
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 791
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 602