2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Health 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 54 30 8 3 2 3 0 86 5 468
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 35 10 5 3 3 0 81 8 1901
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 37 8 4 3 3 0 84 7 2041
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 35 7 3 2 2 0 87 5 714
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 29 8 4 1 4 0 86 5 348
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 34 12 3 2 5 0 83 5 3133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 37 12 3 2 3 0 82 5 2097
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 37 11 3 2 3 1 83 6 954

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 58 28 7 4 2 0 0 86 6 468
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 40 9 10 6 0 0 76 15 1902
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 41 10 9 6 0 0 75 15 2035
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 10 9 6 0 0 76 14 711
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 27 4 3 2 0 0 91 5 348
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 38 8 5 3 0 0 84 7 3133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 10 6 4 0 0 80 10 2098
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 41 10 6 3 1 0 80 10 955
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 32 6 3 2 0 0 89 6 932
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 38 12 6 4 1 0 79 9 3646
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 37 13 9 6 1 0 71 15 1532
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 38 14 7 5 1 0 73 13 1089
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 36 7 4 1 1 0 88 5 1554
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 40 13 7 4 0 0 76 12 2945
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 14 10 6 1 0 70 16 1144
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 37 12 9 7 0 0 71 17 1076

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 39 32 16 9 3 0 1 72 12 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 36 14 11 9 0 0 65 21 1897
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 37 14 12 8 0 0 66 20 2029
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 34 13 10 7 0 0 70 17 712
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 36 32 16 8 6 1 1 69 15 348
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 36 16 12 7 0 0 65 19 3134
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 39 14 11 8 0 0 67 19 2098
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 37 13 13 7 0 0 67 20 957

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 38 14 10 4 1 0 71 14 466
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 35 17 15 11 1 0 56 26 1897
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 38 16 13 10 1 0 60 23 2029
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 35 15 14 9 1 0 62 23 711

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 47 31 9 7 3 1 1 80 11 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 35 11 10 8 0 0 71 18 1897
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 36 11 9 7 0 0 73 17 2035
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 34 10 10 7 0 0 73 17 713
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 34 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 348
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 35 10 9 6 0 0 75 15 3132
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 35 10 11 7 0 0 72 18 2097
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 35 12 8 6 1 1 73 14 955
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 30 8 6 3 1 1 83 8 931
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 35 9 8 5 0 0 78 13 3652
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 35 10 8 7 0 0 75 15 1542
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 35 10 10 5 0 1 75 15 1089

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 38 11 5 4 0 0 80 10 468
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 42 14 11 9 0 0 67 19 1901
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 41 14 11 8 0 0 67 19 2035
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 41 13 9 9 0 0 69 18 711
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 32 13 6 4 1 0 77 10 347
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 39 16 12 7 0 0 65 19 3132
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 39 17 12 7 0 0 64 19 2098
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 37 18 12 7 0 0 63 19 957
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 37 10 7 5 1 0 78 12 934
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 39 17 10 6 0 0 68 15 3648
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 37 17 13 8 0 0 62 21 1536
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 39 17 11 7 0 0 64 18 1089
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 37 10 8 3 1 0 79 11 1552
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 41 15 10 6 0 0 69 16 2945
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 39 16 13 8 0 0 64 21 1142
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 40 13 11 7 0 0 68 18 1076

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 49 33 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 43 10 7 5 0 0 78 12 1904
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 40 10 8 5 0 0 77 13 2036
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 40 7 8 4 0 0 81 12 712
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 36 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 347
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 11 7 4 0 0 77 11 3132
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 40 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 2099
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 37 10 6 4 0 0 80 9 955
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 39 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 932
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 41 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 3652
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 40 10 7 4 0 0 79 11 1541
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 40 8 5 3 0 0 84 7 1088
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 39 8 6 2 0 0 85 8 1552
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 42 8 7 3 0 0 82 10 2951
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 42 8 6 3 0 0 83 9 1146
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 34 7 7 3 0 0 82 10 1074
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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 59 22 7 4 7 1 0 82 11 468
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 25 7 7 9 0 0 77 16 1902
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 25 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 2040
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 24 5 7 8 1 0 79 16 716

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 60 23 6 5 5 0 0 84 10 468
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 23 8 6 8 1 0 77 15 1902
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 55 23 10 6 5 0 0 79 11 2036
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 23 9 5 8 1 0 78 13 714

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 44 30 9 10 7 0 0 74 17 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 23 35 14 14 13 0 0 59 28 1899
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 33 13 13 13 0 0 60 26 2040
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 34 12 12 13 0 0 62 25 715

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 42 29 16 8 4 1 0 72 12 468
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 36 16 8 6 1 0 70 14 1900
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 36 14 8 4 0 0 74 12 2038
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 37 11 8 3 0 0 78 11 710

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 11 34 37 13 5 0 0 45 18 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 20 43 21 12 0 0 23 33 1891
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 44 23 14 0 0 19 37 2018
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 15 43 22 16 0 0 18 38 701

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 13 39 27 14 1 0 41 19 466
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 22 43 19 5 0 0 24 33 1884
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 24 42 18 5 0 0 23 36 2022
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 26 42 16 5 0 0 22 37 702
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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 14 86 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 75 1883
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 76 2021
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 75 697
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 11 89 348
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 80 3126
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 79 2096
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 956

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 48 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 418
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 476
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 167
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 57 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 428
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 179

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 58 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 418
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 66 476
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 167
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 59 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 68 428
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 64 179

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 7 418
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 476
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 167
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 428
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 179

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 418
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 2 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 428

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 6 418
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 476
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 167
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 428
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 179

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 9 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 418
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 476
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 167
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 27 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 428
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 179

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 0 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 418
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 476
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 167
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 588
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 428
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 179
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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 6 94 467
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 85 1901
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 2029
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 712
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 96 348
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 92 3123
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 2094
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 949

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 39 30
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 256
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 254
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 90
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 82

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 61 30
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 74 256
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 83 254
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 80 90
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 76 13
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 77 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 80 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 79 82

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 the federal public service 0 30
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 256
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 254
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 90
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 230

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 0 30
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 256
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 13

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 6 256
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 254
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 90
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 148

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 13 256
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 254
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 82

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 256
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 254
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 90
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 82