2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Correctional Service Canada 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 51 32 7 6 2 3 0 85 8 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 38 14 8 6 1 0 72 14 2487
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 39 12 9 7 2 1 71 16 2220
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 39 11 5 7 2 0 77 12 1255
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 34 12 4 2 4 1 81 6 897
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 38 18 6 5 3 1 70 11 4587
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 38 18 7 6 2 1 68 13 3463
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 40 17 7 5 2 1 70 13 1797

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 52 31 5 7 5 0 0 83 12 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 36 13 16 13 0 0 58 29 2481
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 17 36 14 18 16 0 0 53 34 2220
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 39 10 15 15 0 0 60 30 1247
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 36 10 5 3 1 0 83 8 897
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 39 15 11 6 0 0 67 18 4586
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 39 15 11 10 0 0 63 21 3467
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 41 13 10 9 0 0 69 19 1794
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 38 11 5 2 0 0 82 7 2034
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 40 15 9 8 1 0 67 18 4288
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 39 16 11 12 0 0 61 23 3178
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 40 14 9 10 0 0 66 19 2023
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 34 44 13 5 4 0 0 77 9 1573
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 40 16 13 12 0 0 60 25 2982
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 40 14 14 11 0 0 62 24 2343
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 40 13 12 11 0 0 64 23 1830

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 43 32 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 31 15 17 17 0 0 51 34 2477
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 17 31 16 17 19 0 0 48 36 2217
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 32 14 16 17 0 0 52 34 1246
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 24 37 20 11 8 0 0 61 19 897
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 31 20 18 15 0 0 48 33 4588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 17 31 17 17 17 0 0 49 34 3464
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 33 16 16 15 0 0 53 31 1797

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 30 33 13 15 7 1 0 64 23 430
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 27 17 19 22 1 0 41 42 2483
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 28 15 22 21 1 0 41 43 2223
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 29 16 19 20 1 0 44 39 1252

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 44 32 10 8 5 0 1 77 12 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 32 16 13 14 0 0 56 28 2478
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 30 15 16 18 0 0 51 34 2228
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 32 17 12 14 0 0 56 27 1255
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 31 35 17 10 6 1 0 66 16 895
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 33 18 14 12 1 0 56 26 4584
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 31 15 16 15 0 0 53 31 3464
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 34 14 13 13 0 1 59 26 1795
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 34 37 16 7 4 1 1 72 12 2039
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 36 15 13 10 0 0 62 23 4292
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 36 13 14 14 0 0 60 28 3177
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 35 13 12 12 0 1 63 24 2018

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 42 34 12 8 5 0 0 76 12 430
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 32 18 17 18 0 0 47 35 2488
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 30 16 19 22 0 0 42 41 2225
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 29 16 18 20 0 0 46 38 1256
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 34 38 16 7 4 0 0 72 12 896
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 34 22 17 11 0 0 50 28 4588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 32 22 18 15 0 0 45 33 3465
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 35 18 17 13 0 0 52 31 1797
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 34 40 15 7 3 1 0 75 10 2038
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 39 18 14 9 0 0 58 23 4284
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 34 22 15 13 0 0 49 29 3182
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 36 17 15 12 0 0 56 27 2025
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 30 44 14 9 4 0 0 74 12 1572
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 39 18 17 10 0 0 54 27 2991
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 37 17 16 11 0 0 55 27 2352
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 18 41 14 16 11 0 0 59 27 1834

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 55 33 6 5 1 0 0 88 6 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 42 13 8 7 0 0 71 15 2490
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 41 14 10 9 0 0 67 19 2229
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 38 14 9 8 0 0 69 17 1258
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 38 7 2 1 0 0 89 3 898
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 44 13 6 4 0 0 77 10 4582
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 42 13 6 6 0 0 75 12 3457
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 43 11 6 4 0 0 78 10 1793
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 37 7 2 1 0 0 90 4 2041
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 44 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 4291
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 46 9 6 5 0 0 80 11 3180
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 42 7 6 3 0 0 84 9 2017
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 41 5 3 1 0 0 90 4 1572
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 47 8 6 3 0 0 82 9 2992
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 46 8 7 3 0 0 82 10 2351
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 43 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 1835
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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 55 27 4 8 5 0 0 82 14 430
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 29 10 9 10 0 0 70 20 2487
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 30 10 11 12 0 0 67 23 2225
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 30 11 10 13 0 0 66 23 1259

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 57 24 9 6 5 0 0 81 11 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 27 12 8 10 0 0 70 18 2485
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 28 14 10 11 1 0 64 22 2220
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 28 14 9 12 1 0 64 22 1257

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 31 34 9 12 14 0 0 65 26 429
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 22 12 19 35 0 0 34 54 2485
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 21 14 19 36 0 0 31 55 2220
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 24 13 18 30 0 0 38 49 1258

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 34 33 17 9 5 2 0 69 14 431
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 33 19 16 15 0 0 50 31 2483
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 16 33 19 17 15 0 0 49 32 2219
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 34 16 15 13 0 0 55 28 1257

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 8 32 38 15 6 1 0 40 22 426
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 2 14 38 26 20 0 0 16 46 2471
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 1 10 35 29 25 0 0 11 53 2209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 9 36 29 23 0 0 12 52 1235

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 4 14 44 24 13 0 0 37 18 428
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 29 38 12 4 0 0 16 46 2459
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 34 37 8 2 0 0 10 53 2201
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 32 36 10 2 0 0 12 52 1239
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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 23 77 428
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 59 2454
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 56 2194
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 61 1239
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 20 80 897
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 68 4586
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 65 3463
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 72 1790

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 76 80
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 65 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 410
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 80 163
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 454

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 80
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 62 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 70 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 69 410
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 163
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 69 454

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 7 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 410
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 454

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 the federal public service 16 80
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 410
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 27 163
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 23 454

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 410
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 6 163
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 454

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 410
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 9 163
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 454

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 4 80
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 835
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 410
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 6 163
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 1399
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 1119
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 454
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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 9 91 427
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 23 77 2482
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 74 2216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 76 1253
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 10 90 898
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 4579
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 17 83 3463
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 1790

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 72 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 76 77
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 224

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 55 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 72 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 84 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 84 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 77
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 74 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 82 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 77 224

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 4 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 224
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 224

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 the federal public service 22 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 17 77
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 224

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 7 77
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 224

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 9 77
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 224

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 10 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 466
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 471
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 224
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 572
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 504
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 224