2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Statistics Canada by Question 24. In total, how many years have you been working in the federal public service?

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 the federal public service 55 27 11 2 1 3 1 85 3 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 33 8 3 2 3 0 87 5 942
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 35 7 3 2 2 0 88 5 963
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 29 5 2 2 2 0 91 3 687
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 25 5 2 1 8 0 91 3 338
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 33 9 2 1 4 0 88 3 1335
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 36 8 2 1 3 0 89 3 1321
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 34 10 2 0 3 0 88 2 854

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 the federal public service 67 21 7 3 1 0 0 88 4 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 34 7 5 3 0 0 85 7 947
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 41 7 7 4 0 0 82 11 961
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 37 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 687
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 72 24 2 1 0 0 0 96 1 338
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 35 8 2 1 1 0 89 3 1334
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 38 9 3 1 0 0 86 4 1321
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 36 9 2 1 1 0 87 4 854
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 29 5 2 2 0 1 91 4 458
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 38 9 4 3 1 0 84 6 1468
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 40 10 4 2 1 0 83 6 1352
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 40 11 4 2 0 0 82 7 1130
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 31 8 2 1 1 0 88 4 829
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 39 10 5 3 1 0 83 7 1471
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 43 12 4 2 1 0 81 7 1245
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 40 10 5 3 0 0 81 8 1251

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 the federal public service 48 28 13 6 4 0 0 77 10 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 37 13 9 4 0 0 74 13 947
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 39 12 10 6 0 0 72 16 961
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 37 10 6 4 0 0 80 10 685
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 33 12 12 3 1 2 73 15 338
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 40 13 7 4 0 0 76 11 1335
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 41 15 7 4 0 0 74 11 1320
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 40 11 7 2 0 0 79 10 853

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 the federal public service 42 34 14 6 3 1 0 77 9 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 42 15 9 6 2 0 71 14 946
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 41 14 13 7 1 0 65 21 964
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 41 15 8 5 2 1 71 14 685

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 the federal public service 60 24 8 3 3 1 0 86 6 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 33 11 5 4 0 0 79 9 946
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 36 11 10 4 0 0 74 14 962
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 39 10 5 3 1 1 82 8 687
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 29 11 1 3 3 5 84 4 337
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 30 11 5 4 1 1 80 9 1334
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 37 11 6 3 1 1 80 9 1319
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 38 9 4 2 1 2 84 7 851
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 31 10 3 2 1 4 84 6 460
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 47 33 9 6 3 1 1 82 9 1467
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 36 9 5 3 0 1 84 8 1356
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 34 9 3 2 0 1 85 5 1138

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 the federal public service 55 28 9 7 2 0 0 82 9 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 36 12 7 4 0 0 77 11 947
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 42 11 9 6 0 0 75 14 962
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 40 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 686
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 32 8 3 2 0 0 87 5 338
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 38 13 7 2 0 0 78 9 1336
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 41 16 7 3 0 0 74 10 1322
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 39 15 7 1 0 0 77 8 854
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 37 9 4 3 1 0 84 7 459
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 38 13 7 4 1 0 76 10 1464
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 40 13 5 3 0 0 78 9 1351
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 37 14 6 3 0 0 77 8 1132
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 35 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 829
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 39 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 1471
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 42 11 5 3 0 0 81 8 1243
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 36 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 1248

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 the federal public service 53 31 7 6 3 0 0 84 9 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 41 8 6 3 0 0 82 9 946
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 40 12 7 3 0 0 77 10 964
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 40 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 686
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 41 8 5 4 0 1 82 10 338
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 42 13 6 2 0 0 79 8 1335
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 44 12 6 2 0 0 79 9 1322
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 42 10 4 1 0 0 84 6 851
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 41 8 6 2 0 0 84 8 459
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 45 11 5 2 0 0 82 8 1471
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 44 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 1358
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 43 8 3 1 0 0 87 5 1139
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 41 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 827
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 46 8 6 2 0 0 83 8 1471
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 43 9 4 3 0 0 84 7 1239
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 38 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 1249
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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 the federal public service 70 19 3 5 2 0 0 89 8 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 62 23 6 5 3 0 0 85 8 947
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 29 6 6 5 0 0 83 11 965
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 28 8 5 3 0 0 83 8 687

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 the federal public service 70 17 8 3 2 1 0 87 6 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 25 7 3 3 0 0 87 6 946
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 28 9 5 4 1 0 82 9 964
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 26 10 3 4 1 0 82 8 686

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 the federal public service 56 26 6 8 3 1 0 82 11 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 36 12 8 6 1 0 73 14 946
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 37 12 11 7 0 0 69 18 961
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 38 12 8 5 0 0 74 13 687

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 the federal public service 37 34 16 7 3 3 1 73 11 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 37 15 8 5 2 0 72 13 946
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 40 16 7 5 1 0 72 12 960
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 40 13 6 2 1 0 79 8 686

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 the federal public service 14 39 38 6 2 0 1 53 8 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 26 44 16 6 0 0 32 23 942
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 19 42 26 10 0 0 22 36 954
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 15 47 24 11 0 0 18 35 667

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 the federal public service 4 8 28 36 21 0 3 59 12 398
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 15 42 26 10 0 0 36 22 941
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 22 42 21 5 0 0 27 31 956
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 22 44 21 5 0 1 26 30 677
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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 the federal public service 5 95 399
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 941
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 951
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 677
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 10 90 337
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 88 1334
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 1319
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 853

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 23
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 80
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 60 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 161
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 75

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 the federal public service 59 23
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 71 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 80
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 60 161
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 61 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 59 75

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 80
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 161
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 75

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 23
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 80
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 161
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 148
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 75

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 155

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 23
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 140
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 161
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 148
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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 the federal public service 6 94 400
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 91 943
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 963
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 682
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 95 338
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 95 1334
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 96 1318
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 97 854

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 24
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 84
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 92
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 42
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 67
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 51
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 27

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 the federal public service 51 24
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 76 84
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 81 92
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 83 42
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 82 67
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 76 51
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 77 27

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 42
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 67

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 24
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 84
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 92
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 42
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 67
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 51
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 27

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 the federal public service 26 24
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 84

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 30 24
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 92
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 67
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 51