2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Health Canada by Question 25. In total, how many years have you been working in your current department or agency?

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 current department or agency 53 30 8 3 3 3 0 86 6 1055
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 36 10 5 3 3 0 82 8 2287
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 45 37 9 4 3 3 0 84 7 1452
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 51 37 7 2 2 1 0 88 5 328
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 50 31 9 3 2 5 0 85 5 964
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 34 12 3 2 4 0 82 6 3606
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 41 39 12 2 2 3 0 83 5 1536
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 39 10 3 1 3 0 85 4 442

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 current department or agency 51 32 8 6 3 0 0 83 9 1050
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 41 10 10 6 0 0 74 16 2290
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 41 10 9 6 0 0 75 15 1447
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 37 8 9 5 0 0 79 13 327
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 57 32 5 4 2 0 0 89 6 965
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 38 9 5 3 0 0 82 9 3606
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 38 10 5 4 0 0 81 9 1536
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 40 12 6 2 1 0 80 9 443

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 current department or agency 39 31 14 10 5 0 1 71 15 1049
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 27 38 14 12 9 0 0 65 21 2280
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 36 15 11 8 0 0 65 19 1447
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 34 11 8 7 0 0 74 15 328
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 34 34 14 9 7 1 1 69 16 965
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 28 36 16 12 8 0 0 64 20 3608
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 28 39 14 11 7 0 0 68 18 1536
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 35 13 14 7 0 0 66 21 444

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 current department or agency 30 37 15 11 6 1 0 68 18 1048
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 36 17 15 12 1 0 56 27 2279
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 37 17 14 9 1 0 60 23 1447
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 27 36 15 12 9 1 1 64 21 327

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 current department or agency 45 30 9 9 6 0 1 76 15 1049
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 36 11 10 8 0 0 71 18 2283
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 36 12 9 7 0 0 73 16 1449
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 35 9 9 7 0 0 75 15 329
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 43 33 10 8 6 0 0 77 14 965
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 36 11 9 7 0 0 73 16 3606
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 34 11 10 6 1 0 73 17 1533
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 33 12 9 5 1 0 74 14 444

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 current department or agency 39 36 11 8 6 0 0 75 14 1052
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 22 43 14 11 9 0 0 65 21 2282
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 40 15 9 8 0 0 67 18 1449
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 32 41 12 8 7 1 0 73 15 329
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 37 36 12 9 6 1 0 73 15 961
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 38 17 12 7 0 0 63 19 3607
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 40 17 11 7 0 0 65 18 1538
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 37 19 13 5 0 0 63 18 444

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 current department or agency 45 36 9 6 4 0 0 81 10 1052
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 43 10 8 5 0 0 77 13 2290
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 40 11 7 4 0 0 78 12 1446
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 37 6 6 3 0 0 85 9 328
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 43 36 10 6 4 0 0 80 10 965
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 41 12 8 4 0 0 77 12 3605
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 41 10 5 4 0 0 81 9 1537
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 44 39 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 442
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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 current department or agency 58 22 7 5 8 0 0 80 13 1053
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 25 7 7 8 0 0 77 16 2289
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 27 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 1452
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 57 22 6 8 6 0 0 80 14 330

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 current department or agency 60 22 7 5 6 1 0 82 11 1055
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 54 23 8 6 8 1 0 77 14 2287
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 53 24 11 6 5 1 0 78 11 1447
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 57 22 9 5 7 2 0 80 11 329

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 current department or agency 39 31 10 11 9 0 0 70 20 1052
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 23 34 14 15 14 0 0 57 29 2287
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 27 34 14 13 13 0 0 60 26 1451
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 38 12 9 12 1 0 67 21 329

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 current department or agency 43 31 13 8 4 1 0 74 12 1052
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 36 15 8 6 1 0 71 14 2287
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 37 14 8 4 0 0 74 12 1448
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 40 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 327

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 current department or agency 8 28 40 16 9 0 0 36 25 1048
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 18 44 23 12 0 0 21 35 2269
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 16 44 23 14 0 0 19 37 1433
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 14 44 22 16 0 0 18 38 323

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 current department or agency 8 16 39 24 11 0 0 36 25 1043
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 23 43 18 5 0 0 23 35 2270
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 24 42 17 5 0 0 22 36 1435
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 27 42 17 4 0 1 21 37 324
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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 current department or agency 21 79 1046
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 75 2264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 78 1434
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 25 75 321
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 18 82 965
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 80 3598
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 20 80 1535
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 82 444

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 519
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 310
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 45 79
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 172
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 50 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 297
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 46 76

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 current department or agency 64 211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 59 519
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 67 310
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 52 79
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 63 172
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 61 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 67 297
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 59 76

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 519
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 310
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 79
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 172
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 297
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 76

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 current department or agency 3 519
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 297

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 current department or agency 9 211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 519
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 310
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 5 172
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 297

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 current department or agency 6 211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 519
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 310
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 79
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 10 172
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 297
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 76

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 519
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 310
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 172
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 702
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 297
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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 current department or agency 10 90 1049
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 86 2286
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 13 87 1444
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 13 87 328
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 7 93 963
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 92 3593
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 92 1531
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 92 443

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 35 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 185
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 39
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 30 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 264
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 114
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 33

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 current department or agency 74 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 73 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 87 185
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 75 39
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 77 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 79 264
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 80 114
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 72 33

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 current department or agency 8 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 185
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 264

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 current department or agency 0 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 185
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 64

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 current department or agency 11 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 185
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 12 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 264
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 114

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 current department or agency 7 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 185
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 264
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 114
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 33

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 7 104
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 303
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 185
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 11 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 264
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 114