2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Statistics 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

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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 Supervisor 56 33 7 2 1 1 0 90 3 1081
2017 Non-supervisor 53 32 8 3 2 3 0 87 5 1811
2014 Supervisor 54 35 7 1 0 2 0 91 2 1415
2014 Non-supervisor 50 33 9 2 1 5 0 87 3 2526

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 47 37 7 6 3 0 0 85 8 1084
2017 Non-supervisor 51 33 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 1809
2014 Supervisor 53 36 7 3 1 1 0 89 4 1416
2014 Non-supervisor 52 35 8 2 1 1 0 88 4 2526
2011 Supervisor 47 40 8 4 1 0 0 87 5 1719
2011 Non-supervisor 44 37 11 4 3 1 0 82 7 2768
2008 Supervisor 46 40 8 4 2 0 0 86 6 1756
2008 Non-supervisor 42 38 11 5 3 1 0 81 8 3072

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 41 38 10 8 4 0 0 79 11 1081
2017 Non-supervisor 37 36 13 9 5 0 0 73 14 1810
2014 Supervisor 38 41 11 7 3 0 0 79 10 1420
2014 Non-supervisor 34 39 15 8 4 0 0 73 12 2538

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 30 42 12 10 5 0 0 73 15 1081
2017 Non-supervisor 28 39 16 9 6 2 0 69 15 1814

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 41 35 10 9 4 0 0 77 13 1083
2017 Non-supervisor 47 33 11 5 3 1 1 81 8 1809
2014 Supervisor 41 37 11 7 3 0 1 79 10 1418
2014 Non-supervisor 47 33 11 4 3 1 2 82 7 2537
2011 Supervisor 46 37 8 5 3 0 1 84 9 1724
2011 Non-supervisor 48 33 10 4 3 1 2 83 7 2778

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 38 42 9 8 4 0 0 80 11 1082
2017 Non-supervisor 42 35 12 7 4 0 0 77 11 1810
2014 Supervisor 37 39 14 7 2 0 0 77 9 1415
2014 Non-supervisor 39 38 14 6 3 0 0 78 9 2531
2011 Supervisor 41 40 11 6 2 0 0 81 8 1718
2011 Non-supervisor 38 37 14 6 4 1 0 76 10 2768
2008 Supervisor 47 38 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 1751
2008 Non-supervisor 40 39 11 6 3 0 0 79 10 3068

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 42 41 9 5 3 0 0 84 7 1082
2017 Non-supervisor 42 38 10 6 3 0 0 80 10 1812
2014 Supervisor 36 47 10 5 1 0 0 83 6 1417
2014 Non-supervisor 38 41 13 6 3 0 0 79 9 2543
2011 Supervisor 44 43 8 4 1 0 0 88 4 1726
2011 Non-supervisor 37 44 11 5 3 0 0 81 8 2784
2008 Supervisor 47 42 7 4 1 0 0 88 5 1755
2008 Non-supervisor 38 42 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 3062
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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 Supervisor 58 27 5 6 3 0 0 85 9 1084
2017 Non-supervisor 60 24 7 5 4 0 0 85 8 1813

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 27 7 4 4 0 0 85 8 1083
2017 Non-supervisor 60 24 9 3 3 1 0 84 7 1811

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 34 38 12 11 6 0 0 72 17 1081
2017 Non-supervisor 40 34 11 8 6 1 0 75 14 1812

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 33 41 15 6 4 1 0 74 10 1079
2017 Non-supervisor 36 36 15 7 4 2 0 74 11 1811

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 13 43 30 12 0 0 14 43 1072
2017 Non-supervisor 8 29 44 13 5 0 0 37 19 1795

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 10 24 42 19 5 0 0 24 34 1076
2017 Non-supervisor 6 14 39 28 12 0 1 40 20 1796
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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 Supervisor 13 87 1068
2017 Non-supervisor 14 86 1800
2014 Supervisor 10 90 1412
2014 Non-supervisor 12 88 2526

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 44 138
2017 Non-supervisor 43 253
2014 Supervisor 48 145
2014 Non-supervisor 50 291

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 55 138
2017 Non-supervisor 71 253
2014 Supervisor 54 145
2014 Non-supervisor 61 291

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 20 138
2017 Non-supervisor 4 253
2014 Supervisor 17 145
2014 Non-supervisor 2 291

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 0 138
2017 Non-supervisor 0 253
2014 Supervisor 0 145
2014 Non-supervisor 0 291

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 4 138
2014 Non-supervisor 2 291

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 4 138
2017 Non-supervisor 4 253
2014 Supervisor 3 145
2014 Non-supervisor 3 291

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 6 138
2017 Non-supervisor 6 252
2014 Non-supervisor 5 291
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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 Supervisor 7 93 1077
2017 Non-supervisor 9 91 1809
2014 Supervisor 3 97 1415
2014 Non-supervisor 5 95 2522

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 32 73
2017 Non-supervisor 39 166
2014 Supervisor 36 39
2014 Non-supervisor 37 133

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 77 73
2017 Non-supervisor 77 166
2014 Supervisor 82 39
2014 Non-supervisor 74 133

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 11 73
2017 Non-supervisor 4 166

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 73
2017 Non-supervisor 0 166
2014 Supervisor 0 39
2014 Non-supervisor 0 133

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 3 166
2014 Non-supervisor 6 133

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 8 166
2014 Non-supervisor 8 133

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 13 165
2014 Non-supervisor 9 133