2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Services and Procurement Canada by Question 23. Are you a supervisor?

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

Top of Page

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 Supervisor 48 36 8 3 2 3 0 86 5 1491
2017 Non-supervisor 42 37 10 5 3 4 0 82 7 3617
2014 Supervisor 44 39 11 2 1 2 0 86 3 2241
2014 Non-supervisor 38 37 13 3 2 6 1 80 6 6677

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 Supervisor 40 41 8 7 4 0 0 82 11 1492
2017 Non-supervisor 36 39 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 3608
2014 Supervisor 46 39 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 2242
2014 Non-supervisor 41 39 12 5 3 1 0 81 8 6672
2011 Supervisor 40 42 11 5 3 0 0 82 8 2919
2011 Non-supervisor 37 40 13 5 3 1 0 78 9 7569
2008 Supervisor 35 44 12 5 3 0 0 80 9 2097
2008 Non-supervisor 33 41 13 7 5 1 0 75 12 5752

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 Supervisor 37 38 11 9 5 0 0 75 14 1491
2017 Non-supervisor 29 35 16 11 7 0 0 65 19 3608
2014 Supervisor 35 39 11 9 6 0 0 74 15 2249
2014 Non-supervisor 24 37 18 12 8 0 0 62 20 6703

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 Supervisor 28 41 14 11 6 0 0 69 17 1493
2017 Non-supervisor 21 37 17 12 10 2 0 60 23 3615

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 Supervisor 39 38 10 8 5 0 0 77 13 1489
2017 Non-supervisor 40 33 12 8 6 0 1 74 14 3613
2014 Supervisor 33 37 13 10 6 0 1 71 16 2248
2014 Non-supervisor 36 35 13 8 5 1 1 73 14 6701
2011 Supervisor 35 37 12 10 5 0 1 73 15 2919
2011 Non-supervisor 38 36 12 7 4 1 1 76 12 7585

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 Supervisor 28 43 13 10 7 0 0 71 16 1491
2017 Non-supervisor 28 37 15 11 10 0 0 65 20 3614
2014 Supervisor 26 40 17 10 5 0 0 67 16 2240
2014 Non-supervisor 24 40 19 11 6 0 0 64 17 6678
2011 Supervisor 25 41 18 11 5 0 0 67 15 2921
2011 Non-supervisor 24 39 20 11 6 1 0 64 16 7566
2008 Supervisor 24 44 15 12 5 0 0 68 17 2095
2008 Non-supervisor 25 40 17 12 6 0 0 65 18 5751

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 Supervisor 40 42 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 1489
2017 Non-supervisor 35 40 12 8 4 0 0 76 12 3615
2014 Supervisor 41 42 9 5 2 0 0 83 8 2246
2014 Non-supervisor 35 42 13 6 4 0 0 77 10 6696
2011 Supervisor 43 44 8 4 2 0 0 87 6 2922
2011 Non-supervisor 37 42 12 6 3 0 0 79 9 7589
2008 Supervisor 44 42 8 4 1 0 0 87 6 2099
2008 Non-supervisor 38 43 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 5748
Top of Page

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 Supervisor 57 26 6 5 6 0 0 83 10 1492
2017 Non-supervisor 53 27 8 6 6 0 0 80 12 3621

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 Supervisor 57 25 8 5 5 0 0 83 10 1491
2017 Non-supervisor 53 25 10 5 5 1 0 79 10 3612

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 Supervisor 30 37 12 12 9 0 0 67 21 1492
2017 Non-supervisor 30 31 14 13 12 0 0 61 25 3615

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 Supervisor 31 40 17 7 4 1 0 72 11 1486
2017 Non-supervisor 25 34 21 10 7 3 0 61 17 3607

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 Supervisor 2 12 42 28 15 0 0 14 44 1478
2017 Non-supervisor 5 20 42 21 11 0 0 26 32 3587

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 Supervisor 12 27 42 16 3 0 0 19 39 1477
2017 Non-supervisor 11 21 39 21 8 0 1 29 32 3568
Top of Page

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 Supervisor 19 81 1482
2017 Non-supervisor 19 81 3568
2014 Supervisor 17 83 2239
2014 Non-supervisor 18 82 6669

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 37 287
2017 Non-supervisor 49 653
2014 Supervisor 36 372
2014 Non-supervisor 48 1183

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 64 287
2017 Non-supervisor 70 654
2014 Supervisor 58 372
2014 Non-supervisor 66 1183

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 21 287
2017 Non-supervisor 4 653
2014 Supervisor 27 372
2014 Non-supervisor 3 1183

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 Supervisor 0 287
2014 Supervisor 0 372

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 9 287
2017 Non-supervisor 9 653
2014 Supervisor 11 372
2014 Non-supervisor 8 1183

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 3 287
2017 Non-supervisor 5 653
2014 Supervisor 3 372
2014 Non-supervisor 4 1183

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 4 287
2017 Non-supervisor 3 653
2014 Supervisor 4 372
2014 Non-supervisor 3 1183
Top of Page

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 Supervisor 8 92 1484
2017 Non-supervisor 11 89 3605
2014 Supervisor 5 95 2233
2014 Non-supervisor 7 93 6669

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 30 121
2017 Non-supervisor 38 399
2014 Supervisor 28 118
2014 Non-supervisor 37 477

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 77 121
2017 Non-supervisor 79 399
2014 Supervisor 85 118
2014 Non-supervisor 84 477

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 10 121
2017 Non-supervisor 3 399
2014 Supervisor 10 118
2014 Non-supervisor 2 477

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 Supervisor 0 121
2014 Supervisor 0 118
2014 Non-supervisor 0 477

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 7 121
2017 Non-supervisor 10 399
2014 Supervisor 9 118
2014 Non-supervisor 11 477

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 4 399
2014 Non-supervisor 4 477

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 6 121
2017 Non-supervisor 8 399
2014 Supervisor 4 118
2014 Non-supervisor 9 477