2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Employment and Social Development Canada by Question 20.1. Occupational category (variable derived from question 20)

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 Executive 52 38 6 3 1 0 0 91 3 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 37 39 9 7 3 5 0 80 11 930
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 46 35 9 5 3 3 0 83 8 8471
2017 Technical 38 32 15 6 6 3 0 73 12 89
2017 Administrative Support 50 33 7 4 4 1 0 84 8 1076
2017 Other 49 35 8 4 1 3 0 87 5 318
2014 Executive 57 32 6 2 1 2 0 91 3 389
2014 Scientific and Professional 33 36 15 6 3 7 0 74 10 1247
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 39 35 14 3 3 5 1 79 7 11292
2014 Technical 27 36 22 6 2 6 0 68 9 126
2014 Administrative Support 38 35 15 4 3 4 1 77 7 1668
2014 Operational 57 12 6 6 19 0 0 69 25 16
2014 Other 53 23 8 2 1 11 2 87 4 222

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 Executive 50 35 6 5 5 0 0 85 9 297
2017 Scientific and Professional 36 42 9 8 6 0 0 78 14 928
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 37 41 9 8 5 0 0 78 13 8434
2017 Technical 22 42 13 9 14 0 0 64 23 88
2017 Administrative Support 43 36 7 8 5 0 0 80 13 1076
2017 Other 62 28 5 2 3 0 0 90 5 317
2014 Executive 67 23 5 3 2 0 0 91 5 386
2014 Scientific and Professional 38 38 11 8 4 0 0 77 12 1248
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 41 39 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 11298
2014 Technical 17 39 21 15 7 1 1 57 23 126
2014 Administrative Support 41 38 11 5 4 1 0 80 9 1666
2014 Operational 46 17 12 0 24 0 0 63 24 16
2014 Other 74 19 4 2 1 0 0 94 3 222

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 Executive 46 38 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 297
2017 Scientific and Professional 25 43 12 12 7 0 0 68 20 929
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 27 36 16 12 8 0 0 64 20 8451
2017 Technical 16 39 16 16 14 0 0 55 29 89
2017 Administrative Support 29 35 19 10 7 0 0 64 18 1073
2017 Other 41 30 12 11 4 1 1 73 15 316
2014 Executive 51 34 6 5 3 0 0 85 9 389
2014 Scientific and Professional 25 35 17 12 10 0 0 60 23 1250
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 22 34 18 14 11 0 1 56 26 11304
2014 Technical 12 32 19 24 13 0 0 44 36 126
2014 Administrative Support 21 33 22 14 10 0 1 54 24 1667
2014 Operational 13 22 18 0 42 6 0 37 44 16
2014 Other 35 36 13 10 3 1 1 73 14 222

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 Executive 36 41 11 8 3 0 0 77 12 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 17 40 18 14 10 1 0 57 25 932
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 20 37 17 14 10 1 0 59 25 8446
2017 Technical 9 37 13 19 19 2 0 47 39 89
2017 Administrative Support 22 37 19 13 8 2 0 60 21 1073
2017 Other 37 31 14 11 2 3 2 72 13 317

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 Executive 28 41 13 12 6 0 0 68 18 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 36 36 9 11 7 0 0 73 18 929
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 34 35 13 10 8 0 1 70 17 8450
2017 Technical 21 39 14 12 14 0 0 60 26 89
2017 Administrative Support 36 35 13 8 6 1 1 73 14 1078
2017 Other 53 26 11 3 4 1 3 82 7 318
2014 Executive 37 40 10 10 3 0 0 78 13 387
2014 Scientific and Professional 35 36 11 10 8 0 0 71 18 1249
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 32 34 14 10 8 0 1 68 18 11298
2014 Technical 14 25 12 17 30 0 1 40 48 126
2014 Administrative Support 30 36 16 10 6 1 1 68 17 1667
2014 Operational 37 28 11 6 18 0 0 65 24 16
2014 Other 57 22 8 5 2 1 4 83 8 222

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 Executive 38 40 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 25 44 13 11 7 0 0 69 18 927
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 26 39 15 12 8 0 0 65 20 8452
2017 Technical 22 32 10 17 19 0 0 53 36 89
2017 Administrative Support 33 36 14 10 8 0 0 69 17 1078
2017 Other 47 32 10 8 4 0 0 79 11 313
2014 Executive 49 32 10 6 3 0 0 82 9 389
2014 Scientific and Professional 19 40 20 14 7 0 0 59 21 1250
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 21 38 19 13 8 0 0 59 22 11300
2014 Technical 5 25 13 36 21 0 0 30 57 126
2014 Administrative Support 23 37 19 11 8 1 0 61 20 1667
2014 Operational 29 22 7 17 24 0 0 52 42 16
2014 Other 56 26 13 5 1 0 0 81 6 222

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 Executive 57 28 6 8 2 0 0 84 9 296
2017 Scientific and Professional 35 44 11 7 4 0 0 79 11 930
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 34 42 12 7 4 0 0 77 12 8458
2017 Technical 36 40 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 89
2017 Administrative Support 45 37 9 5 4 0 0 82 9 1076
2017 Other 45 36 9 6 3 0 0 81 9 318
2014 Executive 58 30 7 3 2 0 0 89 4 389
2014 Scientific and Professional 31 45 11 9 4 0 0 76 13 1249
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 34 42 13 7 5 0 0 75 12 11297
2014 Technical 26 51 8 9 6 0 0 77 15 126
2014 Administrative Support 35 40 13 7 5 0 0 75 12 1664
2014 Operational 38 26 19 12 6 0 0 63 18 15
2014 Other 49 36 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 220
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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 Executive 57 27 5 5 5 0 0 84 11 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 53 26 7 7 6 1 0 80 13 930
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 51 29 8 7 6 0 0 80 13 8472
2017 Technical 42 27 5 14 12 0 0 69 26 89
2017 Administrative Support 56 27 7 5 4 0 0 84 10 1078
2017 Other 64 26 5 3 2 0 0 90 5 319

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 Executive 61 22 8 4 4 0 0 84 7 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 54 25 8 5 5 1 0 81 11 926
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 52 27 9 6 5 1 0 80 11 8455
2017 Technical 42 33 9 3 12 0 0 75 16 89
2017 Administrative Support 54 26 9 5 4 1 0 81 9 1077
2017 Other 65 23 8 2 2 0 0 87 5 319

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 Executive 35 39 8 11 6 0 0 74 17 297
2017 Scientific and Professional 26 34 11 15 13 0 0 61 28 929
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 34 14 14 13 0 0 59 27 8462
2017 Technical 21 28 9 16 26 0 0 49 42 88
2017 Administrative Support 30 35 14 12 9 1 0 65 21 1079
2017 Other 45 34 10 5 5 1 0 80 10 319

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 Executive 57 30 7 5 2 0 0 87 6 298
2017 Scientific and Professional 30 38 15 8 7 1 0 70 15 929
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 31 36 16 9 6 1 0 68 15 8450
2017 Technical 29 39 14 6 11 1 0 69 17 89
2017 Administrative Support 33 32 18 8 7 1 0 66 16 1077
2017 Other 40 37 12 6 3 1 1 78 9 318

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 Executive 0 9 40 32 20 0 0 9 52 292
2017 Scientific and Professional 5 23 45 20 8 0 0 27 28 922
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 18 41 25 13 0 0 21 38 8403
2017 Technical 3 7 39 32 19 0 0 10 51 89
2017 Administrative Support 11 29 39 13 7 0 0 40 20 1061
2017 Other 16 39 31 9 4 1 0 55 14 314

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 Executive 15 32 37 11 4 0 0 16 47 295
2017 Scientific and Professional 10 19 42 19 9 0 0 29 29 915
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 13 25 39 16 6 0 0 22 39 8386
2017 Technical 13 37 36 10 5 0 0 15 49 88
2017 Administrative Support 8 16 40 23 12 0 1 35 24 1057
2017 Other 8 7 35 33 16 0 2 50 15 313
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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 Executive 16 84 297
2017 Scientific and Professional 23 77 920
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 20 80 8417
2017 Technical 50 50 89
2017 Administrative Support 21 79 1065
2017 Other 10 90 318
2014 Executive 11 89 387
2014 Scientific and Professional 18 82 1248
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 17 83 11290
2014 Technical 21 79 126
2014 Administrative Support 19 81 1665
2014 Other 6 94 222

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 25 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 38 213
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 48 1712
2017 Technical 59 44
2017 Administrative Support 59 224
2017 Other 59 41
2014 Executive 24 42
2014 Scientific and Professional 41 232
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 49 1854
2014 Technical 59 27
2014 Administrative Support 61 307
2014 Other 56 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 69 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 75 213
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 62 1712
2017 Technical 61 44
2017 Administrative Support 55 224
2017 Other 29 41
2014 Executive 62 42
2014 Scientific and Professional 72 232
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 61 1854
2014 Technical 63 27
2014 Administrative Support 57 307
2014 Other 52 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 23 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 213
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 6 1712
2017 Technical 0 44
2014 Executive 19 42
2014 Scientific and Professional 6 232
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 1854
2014 Administrative Support 2 307
2014 Other 0 13

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 Executive 0 48
2017 Technical 0 44
2017 Administrative Support 0 224
2017 Other 0 41
2014 Executive 0 42
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 232
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 1854
2014 Technical 0 27
2014 Administrative Support 0 307
2014 Other 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 213
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 1712
2017 Technical 0 44
2017 Administrative Support 4 224
2014 Executive 0 42
2014 Scientific and Professional 5 232
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 3 1854
2014 Administrative Support 3 307
2014 Other 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 7 213
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 18 1712
2017 Technical 34 44
2017 Administrative Support 10 224
2017 Other 20 41
2014 Executive 0 42
2014 Scientific and Professional 8 232
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 15 1854
2014 Technical 19 27
2014 Administrative Support 9 307

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 3 213
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 1712
2017 Technical 0 44
2017 Administrative Support 3 224
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 4 1854
2014 Technical 0 27
2014 Administrative Support 5 307
2014 Other 0 13
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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 Executive 7 93 297
2017 Scientific and Professional 14 86 928
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 12 88 8445
2017 Technical 25 75 89
2017 Administrative Support 13 87 1075
2017 Other 5 95 317
2014 Executive 3 97 388
2014 Scientific and Professional 11 89 1243
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 7 93 11286
2014 Technical 14 86 126
2014 Administrative Support 9 91 1666
2014 Other 4 96 222

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 29 21
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 132
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 34 1024
2017 Technical 36 22
2017 Administrative Support 38 144
2017 Other 38 17
2014 Scientific and Professional 33 131
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 36 787
2014 Administrative Support 34 151

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 76 21
2017 Scientific and Professional 87 132
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 75 1025
2017 Administrative Support 79 144
2017 Other 77 17
2014 Executive 100 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 89 131
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 79 787
2014 Technical 89 18
2014 Administrative Support 79 151

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 1024
2017 Technical 0 22
2017 Other 0 17
2014 Scientific and Professional 4 131
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 2 787
2014 Technical 0 18

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 Executive 0 21
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 132
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 1024
2017 Technical 0 22
2017 Administrative Support 0 144
2017 Other 0 17
2014 Executive 0 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 131
2014 Technical 0 18
2014 Administrative Support 0 151

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 5 132
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 6 1024
2017 Administrative Support 5 144
2014 Scientific and Professional 5 131
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 5 787
2014 Administrative Support 7 151

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 21
2017 Scientific and Professional 6 132
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 16 1024
2017 Administrative Support 9 144
2014 Executive 0 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 5 131
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 13 787
2014 Administrative Support 11 151

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 21
2017 Scientific and Professional 6 133
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 1024
2017 Technical 0 22
2017 Administrative Support 10 144
2014 Executive 0 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 7 131
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 9 787
2014 Technical 0 18
2014 Administrative Support 9 151