2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Health Canada by Question 27. What is your first official language?

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 First Offical Language - English 46 35 9 4 3 3 0 83 7 3894
2017 First Offical Language - French 46 37 9 3 2 2 0 85 6 1227
2014 First Offical Language - English 46 33 12 3 2 4 0 82 6 5034
2014 First Offical Language - French 38 41 12 3 1 5 1 83 4 1586

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 First Offical Language - English 38 38 9 9 5 0 0 76 15 3888
2017 First Offical Language - French 36 43 9 7 5 0 0 79 11 1225
2014 First Offical Language - English 46 36 9 5 3 0 0 82 9 5037
2014 First Offical Language - French 40 42 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 1585
2011 First Offical Language - English 40 36 11 6 5 1 0 77 11 5478
2011 First Offical Language - French 39 40 13 6 2 1 0 79 8 1767
2008 First Offical Language - English 38 37 11 8 5 1 0 76 13 5016
2008 First Offical Language - French 37 41 13 5 3 1 0 79 8 1748

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 First Offical Language - English 31 36 13 11 8 0 0 67 20 3886
2017 First Offical Language - French 29 36 16 11 7 0 0 66 18 1217
2014 First Offical Language - English 30 36 14 12 8 0 0 66 20 5039
2014 First Offical Language - French 26 38 18 11 6 0 0 65 17 1586

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 First Offical Language - English 23 36 16 14 10 1 0 60 24 3879
2017 First Offical Language - French 22 38 18 13 7 1 0 62 20 1223

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 First Offical Language - English 38 35 10 10 8 0 0 73 18 3886
2017 First Offical Language - French 38 35 13 7 6 0 1 73 14 1225
2014 First Offical Language - English 39 34 10 10 7 0 0 73 17 5034
2014 First Offical Language - French 36 37 13 7 4 1 1 75 12 1585
2011 First Offical Language - English 42 35 9 8 5 0 0 77 14 5485
2011 First Offical Language - French 43 34 10 7 4 0 1 78 11 1775

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 First Offical Language - English 27 40 13 11 9 0 0 68 19 3890
2017 First Offical Language - French 28 43 15 8 6 0 0 71 15 1221
2014 First Offical Language - English 27 38 16 12 7 0 0 65 20 5036
2014 First Offical Language - French 25 41 19 9 6 1 0 66 15 1586
2011 First Offical Language - English 29 37 16 11 7 0 0 66 18 5478
2011 First Offical Language - French 28 42 18 7 4 1 0 70 12 1775
2008 First Offical Language - English 30 39 13 11 6 0 0 69 18 5016
2008 First Offical Language - French 31 41 15 8 4 0 0 72 12 1744

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 First Offical Language - English 38 40 9 8 5 0 0 78 12 3891
2017 First Offical Language - French 37 43 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 1225
2014 First Offical Language - English 40 38 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 5036
2014 First Offical Language - French 34 45 12 5 4 0 0 79 9 1585
2011 First Offical Language - English 40 40 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 5483
2011 First Offical Language - French 41 41 10 5 3 0 0 83 8 1776
2008 First Offical Language - English 43 39 8 7 3 0 0 83 10 5021
2008 First Offical Language - French 41 42 9 6 2 0 0 83 8 1748
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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 First Offical Language - English 54 24 7 7 8 0 0 78 15 3896
2017 First Offical Language - French 54 27 7 6 6 0 0 81 12 1228

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 First Offical Language - English 56 22 9 6 7 1 0 78 13 3890
2017 First Offical Language - French 53 27 9 5 5 0 0 80 10 1227

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 First Offical Language - English 28 33 12 13 14 0 0 61 27 3894
2017 First Offical Language - French 27 36 15 13 9 0 0 63 22 1224

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 First Offical Language - English 37 35 14 8 5 0 0 72 13 3889
2017 First Offical Language - French 38 37 14 7 3 1 0 76 10 1225

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 First Offical Language - English 4 20 42 21 13 0 0 24 34 3856
2017 First Offical Language - French 3 17 47 22 10 0 0 21 32 1218

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 First Offical Language - English 12 22 42 19 5 0 0 25 34 3854
2017 First Offical Language - French 7 24 42 19 8 0 0 28 30 1217
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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 First Offical Language - English 25 75 3868
2017 First Offical Language - French 19 81 1198
2014 First Offical Language - English 20 80 5029
2014 First Offical Language - French 18 82 1583

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 48 897
2017 First Offical Language - French 45 226
2014 First Offical Language - English 46 986
2014 First Offical Language - French 53 280

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 61 897
2017 First Offical Language - French 64 226
2014 First Offical Language - English 64 986
2014 First Offical Language - French 58 280

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 8 897
2017 First Offical Language - French 10 226
2014 First Offical Language - English 7 986
2014 First Offical Language - French 11 280

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 First Offical Language - English 3 897
2014 First Offical Language - English 3 986

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 6 897
2017 First Offical Language - French 4 226
2014 First Offical Language - English 4 986
2014 First Offical Language - French 6 280

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 9 897
2017 First Offical Language - French 6 226
2014 First Offical Language - English 9 986
2014 First Offical Language - French 6 280

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 4 897
2017 First Offical Language - French 3 226
2014 First Offical Language - English 3 986
2014 First Offical Language - French 4 280
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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 First Offical Language - English 14 86 3887
2017 First Offical Language - French 10 90 1220
2014 First Offical Language - English 8 92 5016
2014 First Offical Language - French 8 92 1583

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 33 501
2017 First Offical Language - French 36 126
2014 First Offical Language - English 36 361
2014 First Offical Language - French 27 118

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 76 501
2017 First Offical Language - French 82 126
2014 First Offical Language - English 78 361
2014 First Offical Language - French 80 118

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 5 501
2017 First Offical Language - French 5 126
2014 First Offical Language - English 4 361
2014 First Offical Language - French 5 118

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 First Offical Language - English 5 501
2017 First Offical Language - French 0 126
2014 First Offical Language - English 3 361

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 8 501
2017 First Offical Language - French 5 126
2014 First Offical Language - English 7 361
2014 First Offical Language - French 5 118

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 11 501
2014 First Offical Language - English 9 361

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 6 501
2017 First Offical Language - French 6 126
2014 First Offical Language - English 8 361
2014 First Offical Language - French 7 118