2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Services and Procurement Canada by Question 19. What is your current employee status?

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 42 37 10 4 2 4 0 83 7 4888
2017 Term 49 35 7 1 4 3 1 87 5 277
2017 Casual 59 26 7 2 2 5 0 89 3 127
2017 Student 48 38 7 5 0 0 2 87 6 55
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 38 38 13 3 2 5 1 81 5 8226
2014 Term 51 33 7 4 1 5 0 88 5 412
2014 Casual 45 33 10 3 1 6 1 85 4 153
2014 Student 67 19 3 3 0 6 2 94 3 115

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 35 41 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 4878
2017 Term 51 36 5 4 3 1 0 87 7 278
2017 Casual 68 22 5 1 2 0 0 91 4 127
2017 Student 55 27 11 3 4 0 0 82 7 55
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 40 40 12 5 3 0 0 81 8 8224
2014 Term 61 31 5 2 1 1 0 92 3 411
2014 Casual 59 34 5 1 1 0 0 93 2 153
2014 Student 76 21 2 0 0 1 0 98 0 114
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 37 41 12 6 3 1 0 79 9 9872
2011 Term 53 36 6 2 3 0 0 89 5 296
2011 Casual 63 31 5 0 1 0 0 94 1 110
2011 Student 65 25 6 2 1 2 1 92 2 147
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 33 42 13 7 4 0 0 75 11 7382
2008 Term 45 39 9 4 2 1 0 85 6 286
2008 Casual 56 31 5 3 5 0 0 87 8 59
2008 Student 55 37 3 3 1 1 0 92 4 120

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 30 37 15 11 7 0 0 67 18 4882
2017 Term 42 33 12 8 5 0 0 76 12 275
2017 Casual 58 25 10 2 4 0 2 85 6 126
2017 Student 39 28 11 17 4 0 2 68 21 54
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 26 38 17 11 8 0 0 64 19 8232
2014 Term 34 38 16 9 3 0 1 72 12 411
2014 Casual 41 38 9 5 6 0 1 80 11 154
2014 Student 40 42 10 5 3 1 0 82 7 115

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 22 38 17 12 9 1 0 61 22 4888
2017 Term 33 38 15 7 6 1 0 72 14 277
2017 Casual 46 34 12 2 5 1 1 82 7 126
2017 Student 33 31 5 18 5 7 0 68 26 55

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 38 35 12 8 6 0 0 74 14 4882
2017 Term 51 30 10 4 3 0 1 82 7 277
2017 Casual 56 27 8 6 1 0 1 84 7 127
2017 Student 55 24 9 7 4 0 2 80 11 55
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 35 36 14 9 5 0 1 72 15 8228
2014 Term 43 35 10 7 3 0 2 80 9 412
2014 Casual 50 26 11 1 3 3 7 84 4 154
2014 Student 57 27 8 2 1 2 3 89 3 115
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 37 37 12 8 5 0 1 75 13 9891
2011 Term 48 35 12 3 2 0 0 83 5 297
2011 Casual 57 31 7 2 1 0 3 90 3 111
2011 Student 49 26 13 2 3 1 7 81 5 147

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 26 38 15 11 9 0 0 64 21 4885
2017 Term 42 40 9 4 5 0 0 82 9 277
2017 Casual 57 31 4 2 6 0 0 88 8 127
2017 Student 33 44 7 13 4 0 0 76 16 55
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 23 40 19 11 6 0 0 63 17 8227
2014 Term 41 42 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 412
2014 Casual 48 30 13 7 2 1 0 78 9 154
2014 Student 56 33 7 3 1 1 0 90 3 114
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 23 40 20 11 5 1 0 64 16 9876
2011 Term 35 41 14 7 3 0 0 75 11 296
2011 Casual 52 31 7 6 3 1 0 84 9 110
2011 Student 46 31 14 8 1 0 1 77 9 145
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 24 41 17 12 6 0 0 65 18 7377
2008 Term 33 42 12 9 3 0 0 76 12 286
2008 Casual 55 22 15 3 3 2 0 78 6 61
2008 Student 42 38 8 10 3 0 0 80 13 120

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 35 41 12 8 4 0 0 76 12 4884
2017 Term 54 36 6 2 1 0 0 90 4 278
2017 Casual 67 25 4 2 3 0 0 92 4 126
2017 Student 36 51 4 7 2 0 0 87 9 55
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 35 42 13 6 4 0 0 78 10 8222
2014 Term 50 37 8 4 1 0 0 87 5 411
2014 Casual 50 34 6 6 3 1 0 84 9 154
2014 Student 41 46 11 2 0 0 0 87 2 115
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 38 42 11 6 3 0 0 81 9 9897
2011 Term 50 34 9 4 1 0 0 85 6 297
2011 Casual 63 26 6 3 2 0 0 90 4 112
2011 Student 46 40 9 3 1 0 1 87 4 147
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 39 43 9 6 3 0 0 82 8 7376
2008 Term 44 41 11 3 1 0 0 86 4 286
2008 Casual 54 36 7 2 2 0 0 89 4 62
2008 Student 42 38 13 7 1 0 0 80 8 120
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 52 27 8 6 6 0 0 80 12 4893
2017 Term 64 22 6 3 5 0 0 86 8 278
2017 Casual 74 16 2 4 4 0 0 91 8 127
2017 Student 64 25 2 4 5 0 0 89 9 55

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 53 26 10 5 5 1 0 79 11 4882
2017 Term 63 22 9 3 3 0 0 85 6 278
2017 Casual 76 13 3 3 5 0 0 89 8 127
2017 Student 67 22 2 2 5 2 0 91 7 55

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 28 33 14 13 12 0 0 61 25 4886
2017 Term 44 30 11 7 7 0 0 74 14 277
2017 Casual 55 24 7 10 5 0 0 79 14 127
2017 Student 55 25 11 4 5 0 0 80 9 55

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 25 36 20 9 7 2 0 63 16 4873
2017 Term 35 39 14 7 3 1 0 75 11 278
2017 Casual 43 27 20 3 3 3 0 72 7 127
2017 Student 22 31 24 7 2 9 5 61 11 55

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 16 42 25 13 0 0 20 38 4845
2017 Term 10 37 36 13 3 1 0 48 17 275
2017 Casual 17 36 37 7 4 0 0 52 11 125
2017 Student 13 38 35 7 2 0 5 54 10 55

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 12 24 40 18 6 0 0 23 36 4824
2017 Term 2 15 36 30 16 0 1 46 17 278
2017 Casual 5 10 35 27 24 0 0 50 15 125
2017 Student 2 11 15 53 17 0 2 72 13 54
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 20 80 4832
2017 Term 16 84 272
2017 Casual 7 93 125
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 18 82 8217
2014 Term 13 87 411
2014 Casual 8 92 153
2014 Student 5 95 115

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 45 938
2017 Term 58 43
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 45 1479
2014 Term 61 51

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 69 939
2017 Term 54 43
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 65 1479
2014 Term 51 51
2014 Casual 78 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 9 938
2017 Term 0 43
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 9 1479
2014 Casual 0 12

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 Term 0 43
2014 Term 0 51
2014 Casual 0 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 10 938
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 9 1479

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 5 938
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 1479
2014 Casual 0 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 938
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 1479
2014 Casual 0 12
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 11 89 4869
2017 Term 5 95 278
2017 Casual 5 95 126
2017 Student 9 91 54
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 7 93 8215
2014 Term 4 96 411
2014 Student 0 100 115

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 36 520
2017 Term 44 13
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 35 577
2014 Term 38 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 80 520
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 84 577
2014 Term 87 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 5 520
2017 Term 0 13
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 3 577
2014 Term 0 15

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 Term 0 13
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 577
2014 Term 0 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 9 520
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 9 577
2014 Term 32 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 520
2017 Term 0 13
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 3 577
2014 Term 0 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 7 520
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 8 577