2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Services and Procurement 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 50 31 8 4 2 4 0 85 7 1209
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 38 10 5 2 4 0 82 7 2360
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 38 11 4 3 5 1 81 7 1265
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 35 9 4 2 3 0 86 6 501
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 49 32 9 2 2 6 1 86 4 1540
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 39 13 3 2 4 1 81 5 4105
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 39 14 3 2 5 0 79 6 1892
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 38 39 14 3 2 4 0 81 5 1293

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 5 4 0 0 84 9 1211
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 42 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 2358
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 42 12 10 5 0 0 73 15 1258
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 36 42 9 8 6 0 0 78 14 499
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 55 32 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 1540
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 40 11 4 3 0 0 82 7 4104
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 42 13 5 3 0 0 79 7 1890
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 40 13 5 3 0 0 79 8 1292

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 42 32 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 1204
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 37 15 11 7 0 0 66 19 2359
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 38 16 13 7 0 0 63 20 1264
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 32 35 15 10 7 0 1 68 17 498
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 33 37 14 9 6 0 1 71 15 1542
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 38 18 11 7 0 0 64 18 4105
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 38 17 13 9 0 0 62 21 1892
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 38 15 11 7 0 0 67 18 1297

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 32 36 14 9 7 2 0 70 16 1208
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 39 16 13 9 1 0 61 23 2364
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 17 39 18 12 11 2 0 58 24 1263
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 36 20 10 8 1 0 61 19 499

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 50 28 9 7 5 0 0 79 12 1206
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 35 13 8 6 0 0 72 14 2363
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 39 13 8 5 0 1 74 13 1261
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 35 9 9 7 1 1 75 15 499
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 41 32 11 8 6 1 1 75 14 1542
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 36 13 9 5 0 1 72 14 4107
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 38 15 9 4 1 1 71 13 1892
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 37 14 8 6 0 1 72 14 1292

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 40 37 9 7 7 0 0 77 14 1209
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 38 17 11 9 0 0 63 20 2362
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 39 16 13 10 0 0 61 23 1263
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 38 13 11 9 0 0 68 19 498
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 35 39 12 8 5 1 0 75 13 1539
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 22 40 20 11 6 0 0 63 17 4104
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 20 41 21 12 6 1 0 61 18 1892
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 25 39 20 10 5 0 0 64 16 1296

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 47 35 8 6 4 0 0 82 10 1208
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 42 13 8 4 0 0 75 13 2360
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 45 13 7 4 0 0 77 10 1264
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 40 9 6 4 0 0 81 10 499
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 38 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 1539
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 42 14 7 4 0 0 76 10 4102
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 43 13 6 3 0 0 79 9 1890
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 44 40 10 4 3 0 0 84 6 1296
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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 64 21 5 4 5 0 0 86 10 1209
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 28 8 6 6 0 0 80 12 2366
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 28 10 6 6 1 0 78 12 1267
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 53 29 6 5 6 0 0 83 11 499

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 64 21 6 4 4 0 0 85 8 1207
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 27 10 5 6 1 0 79 11 2359
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 26 12 5 6 1 0 77 11 1267
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 54 25 9 7 5 0 0 79 12 497

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 42 29 10 9 9 0 0 71 18 1208
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 33 14 14 13 0 0 59 27 2363
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 34 16 14 11 0 0 59 26 1265
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 34 14 11 11 0 0 64 22 497

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 33 35 18 7 4 2 1 70 11 1206
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 37 20 10 7 2 0 62 17 2355
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 34 22 10 7 3 0 59 18 1265
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 35 18 7 7 3 0 68 14 496

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 27 38 17 9 0 0 36 26 1203
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 17 42 24 13 0 0 20 37 2342
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 12 43 28 13 0 0 15 41 1254
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 15 45 24 12 0 0 18 37 489

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 18 34 26 13 0 0 39 26 1198
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 23 40 18 6 0 0 24 36 2340
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 28 42 16 3 0 0 20 38 1242
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 12 23 45 15 5 0 1 20 35 490
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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 16 84 1198
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 79 2336
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 82 1245
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 17 83 493
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 16 84 1540
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 80 4097
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 1890
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 86 1293

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 43 195
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 488
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 41 224
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 80
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 39 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 45 305
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 175

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 69 195
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 69 489
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 70 224
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 58 80
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 71 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 63 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 60 305
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 63 175

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 5 195
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 488
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 224
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 80
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 305
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 175

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 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 224
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 305

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 8 195
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 488
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 224
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 80
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 305
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 12 175

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 5 195
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 488
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 224
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 80
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 305
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 175

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 4 195
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 488
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 224
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 80
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 246
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 800
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 305
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 175
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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 7 93 1208
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 2357
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 1257
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 493
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 94 1541
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 93 4099
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 1889
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 1290

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 92
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 137
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 31 88
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 123
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 27 79

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 67 92
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 81 264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 81 137
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 83 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 82 88
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 83 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 86 123
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 90 79

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 6 92
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 137
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 123

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 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 137
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 88
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 123
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 79

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 12 92
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 137
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 16 88
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 123
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 79

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 6 92
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 137
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 123

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 264
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 137
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 88
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 297
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 123
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 9 79