2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Health 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 61 33 3 2 1 0 0 94 2 121
2017 Scientific and Professional 44 37 9 4 3 3 0 84 7 2401
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 48 35 8 3 3 2 0 85 6 1720
2017 Technical 45 33 13 7 1 1 1 79 8 195
2017 Administrative Support 45 33 10 5 4 2 0 81 10 386
2017 Operational 46 27 10 5 2 7 2 81 8 26
2017 Other 53 28 11 3 1 5 0 85 4 95
2014 Executive 57 33 4 2 2 1 0 91 5 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 43 36 12 3 2 4 0 82 5 2886
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 44 37 11 3 2 4 0 84 5 2280
2014 Technical 44 37 13 1 2 3 0 84 3 309
2014 Administrative Support 43 30 14 3 4 4 1 78 8 631
2014 Operational 55 27 13 2 0 1 2 85 2 60
2014 Other 60 26 5 3 0 6 0 91 4 86

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 42 41 4 12 2 0 0 83 13 122
2017 Scientific and Professional 36 40 10 8 5 0 0 77 14 2398
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 36 41 8 9 5 0 0 78 14 1715
2017 Technical 36 32 13 11 8 0 0 68 20 194
2017 Administrative Support 41 34 9 9 7 1 0 75 16 386
2017 Operational 63 27 5 2 2 0 0 90 5 26
2017 Other 59 20 13 6 3 0 0 78 9 95
2014 Executive 62 26 4 5 3 0 0 89 8 167
2014 Scientific and Professional 43 39 9 5 3 1 0 82 9 2888
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 45 37 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 2281
2014 Technical 51 32 10 4 2 0 0 83 6 309
2014 Administrative Support 45 35 9 6 4 0 0 81 10 631
2014 Operational 55 34 9 2 0 0 1 90 2 60
2014 Other 63 27 1 6 3 0 0 90 8 86

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 44 37 10 7 2 0 0 81 9 122
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 37 16 12 8 0 0 64 20 2393
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 32 36 13 11 7 0 0 69 18 1710
2017 Technical 33 31 14 11 11 1 0 64 22 194
2017 Administrative Support 32 33 13 11 9 1 1 66 21 385
2017 Operational 53 24 15 2 5 0 0 77 7 26
2017 Other 43 33 12 10 2 0 0 76 12 95
2014 Executive 46 39 5 7 3 0 0 85 10 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 26 37 16 14 8 0 0 62 22 2887
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 31 38 13 11 6 0 0 69 17 2283
2014 Technical 35 35 16 10 4 0 0 70 14 309
2014 Administrative Support 27 35 18 9 10 0 1 62 19 632
2014 Operational 40 40 12 6 2 0 0 81 7 60
2014 Other 40 29 16 5 7 3 2 71 12 86

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 29 46 12 12 2 0 0 75 13 119
2017 Scientific and Professional 20 37 17 15 10 1 0 58 25 2395
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 37 16 12 8 1 0 62 21 1711
2017 Technical 22 31 16 16 13 1 1 54 30 196
2017 Administrative Support 24 38 13 12 11 1 1 64 23 384
2017 Operational 43 31 18 2 5 0 0 75 7 26
2017 Other 39 33 13 10 5 0 0 72 16 93

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 22 38 12 15 13 0 0 60 28 121
2017 Scientific and Professional 37 36 10 9 7 0 0 74 16 2396
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 39 35 9 10 7 0 0 74 17 1714
2017 Technical 38 34 9 10 9 0 0 72 19 195
2017 Administrative Support 38 30 14 8 8 0 1 69 17 385
2017 Operational 43 30 24 0 2 0 0 73 2 26
2017 Other 49 31 4 11 3 1 0 82 14 95
2014 Executive 34 38 11 12 5 1 0 72 17 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 37 36 11 10 6 0 0 73 16 2884
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 41 34 9 9 6 0 0 76 15 2281
2014 Technical 38 37 12 7 4 1 1 76 11 308
2014 Administrative Support 33 34 14 8 9 0 1 68 18 632
2014 Operational 51 31 10 4 3 0 1 83 7 60
2014 Other 44 34 16 3 2 1 1 79 5 86

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 35 47 7 9 1 0 0 83 10 122
2017 Scientific and Professional 26 42 14 11 8 0 0 68 19 2394
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 28 41 13 10 8 1 0 70 17 1717
2017 Technical 21 39 18 12 10 0 0 60 22 195
2017 Administrative Support 32 35 13 9 10 1 0 68 19 385
2017 Operational 27 53 15 1 5 0 0 80 6 26
2017 Other 46 30 12 5 7 0 0 76 12 94
2014 Executive 44 38 10 4 4 0 0 82 8 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 25 39 17 13 6 0 0 64 19 2889
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 26 38 17 11 7 0 0 65 18 2278
2014 Technical 30 39 17 9 4 1 0 69 13 309
2014 Administrative Support 28 35 14 12 10 1 0 64 22 632
2014 Operational 43 37 10 7 3 0 0 79 11 60
2014 Other 51 32 7 5 4 0 0 83 10 86

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 51 36 7 5 1 0 0 87 6 122
2017 Scientific and Professional 38 42 9 7 5 0 0 79 11 2397
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 36 42 10 8 5 0 0 78 12 1717
2017 Technical 36 41 11 8 5 0 0 77 12 196
2017 Administrative Support 40 35 11 8 4 0 0 76 13 383
2017 Operational 68 25 2 5 0 0 0 93 5 26
2017 Other 47 34 8 8 3 0 0 81 12 95
2014 Executive 61 27 2 8 1 0 0 89 9 167
2014 Scientific and Professional 37 41 11 7 3 0 0 79 10 2888
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 36 40 12 7 4 0 0 76 11 2280
2014 Technical 44 44 8 2 1 0 0 88 4 309
2014 Administrative Support 37 38 12 6 6 0 0 76 13 631
2014 Operational 68 23 3 2 3 0 0 91 5 60
2014 Other 49 35 8 5 3 0 0 85 7 86
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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 55 21 6 12 6 0 0 76 18 122
2017 Scientific and Professional 52 26 7 7 8 0 0 78 14 2401
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 57 23 6 6 7 0 0 81 13 1721
2017 Technical 49 25 10 8 7 0 0 74 16 194
2017 Administrative Support 52 23 8 8 8 0 1 76 16 385
2017 Operational 56 27 10 3 5 0 0 82 8 26
2017 Other 58 26 1 7 6 1 0 85 14 95

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 54 25 7 11 3 0 0 78 14 121
2017 Scientific and Professional 54 24 8 6 7 1 0 79 13 2398
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 58 23 8 5 6 0 0 81 11 1718
2017 Technical 49 25 12 4 9 0 0 75 13 195
2017 Administrative Support 53 23 9 5 7 2 1 78 13 385
2017 Operational 60 15 18 2 5 0 0 75 7 26
2017 Other 62 20 6 6 5 0 0 83 11 95

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 27 35 14 14 10 0 0 62 24 122
2017 Scientific and Professional 26 34 13 14 12 0 0 60 27 2397
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 29 34 12 13 12 0 0 63 25 1720
2017 Technical 22 35 19 11 13 0 0 57 24 195
2017 Administrative Support 30 31 13 12 14 0 0 61 26 384
2017 Operational 29 53 7 2 7 0 0 83 10 26
2017 Other 45 26 8 11 8 0 1 72 20 95

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 61 27 7 3 1 0 0 88 4 121
2017 Scientific and Professional 32 38 15 9 5 1 0 70 14 2399
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 46 35 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 1717
2017 Technical 27 33 23 10 5 2 0 61 15 194
2017 Administrative Support 33 33 18 10 7 0 0 66 16 384
2017 Operational 31 39 24 2 2 0 0 71 5 26
2017 Other 46 29 10 10 5 0 1 75 15 95

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 12 36 31 21 0 1 12 52 120
2017 Scientific and Professional 3 17 45 23 12 0 0 20 35 2380
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 19 42 22 13 0 0 23 35 1704
2017 Technical 4 26 42 17 11 1 0 29 29 195
2017 Administrative Support 8 27 37 15 12 1 0 36 27 378
2017 Operational 3 22 55 8 12 0 0 25 20 25
2017 Other 10 43 29 13 5 0 0 53 18 95

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 13 31 41 11 4 0 1 15 44 120
2017 Scientific and Professional 10 23 42 19 5 0 0 25 33 2376
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 11 23 42 17 6 0 0 23 35 1700
2017 Technical 7 22 42 20 8 1 1 29 29 195
2017 Administrative Support 11 15 42 21 9 1 0 31 27 383
2017 Operational 5 24 32 34 5 0 0 39 29 26
2017 Other 3 13 43 28 14 0 0 41 16 95
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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 84 121
2017 Scientific and Professional 22 78 2380
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 23 77 1691
2017 Technical 23 77 196
2017 Administrative Support 29 71 385
2017 Operational 32 68 25
2017 Other 15 85 95
2014 Executive 11 89 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 19 81 2888
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 20 80 2274
2014 Technical 16 84 309
2014 Administrative Support 25 75 629
2014 Operational 19 81 60
2014 Other 9 91 86

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 46 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 47 381
2017 Technical 45 45
2017 Administrative Support 57 109
2017 Other 54 18
2014 Executive 28 18
2014 Scientific and Professional 47 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 45 453
2014 Technical 62 50
2014 Administrative Support 53 153
2014 Operational 46 10

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Executive 68 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 62 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 65 381
2017 Technical 62 45
2017 Administrative Support 58 109
2017 Other 71 18
2014 Executive 61 18
2014 Scientific and Professional 61 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 67 453
2014 Technical 40 50
2014 Administrative Support 63 153
2014 Operational 58 10

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Executive 32 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 10 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 9 381
2014 Scientific and Professional 10 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 9 453
2014 Operational 0 10

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 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 381
2017 Administrative Support 0 109
2014 Executive 0 18
2014 Scientific and Professional 5 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 453
2014 Administrative Support 0 153

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 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 5 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 381
2017 Administrative Support 11 109
2014 Executive 0 18
2014 Scientific and Professional 4 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 4 453
2014 Technical 10 50
2014 Administrative Support 4 153

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 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 8 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 381
2017 Technical 13 45
2017 Administrative Support 15 109
2014 Scientific and Professional 9 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 453
2014 Technical 14 50
2014 Administrative Support 8 153

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 3 497
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 381
2017 Technical 0 45
2017 Other 0 18
2014 Executive 0 18
2014 Scientific and Professional 2 511
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 4 453
2014 Administrative Support 3 153
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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 5 95 121
2017 Scientific and Professional 13 87 2391
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 13 87 1715
2017 Technical 11 89 195
2017 Administrative Support 16 84 384
2017 Other 5 95 95
2014 Executive 4 96 167
2014 Scientific and Professional 8 92 2881
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 7 93 2272
2014 Technical 4 96 309
2014 Administrative Support 10 90 628
2014 Other 10 90 86

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 31 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 29 216
2017 Technical 29 21
2017 Administrative Support 41 59
2014 Scientific and Professional 29 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 34 161
2014 Administrative Support 48 65

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 79 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 83 216
2017 Technical 61 21
2017 Administrative Support 78 59
2014 Scientific and Professional 76 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 85 161
2014 Technical 73 11
2014 Administrative Support 76 65

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 7 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 216
2017 Technical 0 21
2014 Scientific and Professional 6 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 4 161
2014 Technical 0 11

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 Scientific and Professional 4 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 216
2014 Scientific and Professional 4 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 161
2014 Administrative Support 0 65

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 8 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 216
2017 Administrative Support 8 59
2014 Scientific and Professional 5 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 161
2014 Technical 0 11
2014 Administrative Support 9 65

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 9 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 6 216
2017 Technical 24 21
2017 Administrative Support 12 59
2014 Scientific and Professional 8 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 3 161
2014 Administrative Support 11 65

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 5 283
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 216
2017 Technical 0 21
2014 Scientific and Professional 8 201
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 5 161