2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Statistics Canada by Question 20.1. Occupational category (variable derived from question 20)

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 Executive 80 13 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 55 33 6 2 1 2 0 90 4 1642
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 53 32 8 2 2 3 0 88 4 823
2017 Technical 39 27 20 4 4 5 0 70 9 45
2017 Administrative Support 54 30 8 2 3 4 0 87 5 286
2017 Other 49 26 15 3 3 3 3 79 6 43
2014 Executive 79 20 2 0 0 0 0 98 0 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 50 36 8 2 1 4 0 89 3 1987
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 51 33 10 2 1 3 0 88 3 1084
2014 Technical 56 32 9 0 0 3 0 91 0 65
2014 Administrative Support 48 34 9 4 2 4 0 85 6 451
2014 Operational 50 23 14 0 9 0 5 76 10 20
2014 Other 66 19 2 1 1 12 0 96 2 117

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 Executive 75 21 4 0 0 0 0 96 0 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 48 38 6 5 3 0 0 86 8 1645
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 46 37 8 6 4 0 0 83 9 823
2017 Technical 35 29 16 16 4 0 0 64 20 45
2017 Administrative Support 58 27 6 5 4 0 0 85 9 285
2017 Operational 10 50 30 10 0 0 0 60 10 10
2017 Other 69 15 13 3 0 0 0 84 3 42
2014 Executive 95 5 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 50 37 8 2 1 1 0 88 4 1985
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 52 36 8 3 1 0 0 88 4 1087
2014 Technical 62 28 9 0 1 0 0 90 1 65
2014 Administrative Support 51 36 9 2 2 0 0 87 4 451
2014 Operational 41 36 5 5 0 14 0 89 5 20
2014 Other 74 22 2 1 0 1 0 97 1 117

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 Executive 75 14 9 2 0 0 0 89 2 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 38 40 10 8 4 0 0 78 11 1644
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 36 37 13 8 6 0 0 73 14 821
2017 Technical 24 22 21 24 6 0 2 48 31 45
2017 Administrative Support 40 32 15 6 6 0 0 73 12 286
2017 Operational 20 20 50 10 0 0 0 40 10 10
2017 Other 49 24 12 8 8 0 0 72 16 43
2014 Executive 77 20 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 35 42 12 7 3 0 0 77 11 1987
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 38 39 13 7 3 0 0 77 10 1084
2014 Technical 21 37 19 12 11 0 0 58 24 65
2014 Administrative Support 30 35 20 8 5 1 1 67 13 449
2014 Operational 18 32 27 5 18 0 0 50 23 20
2014 Other 39 35 12 11 2 0 1 75 13 117

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 Executive 64 23 9 2 2 0 0 88 4 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 28 42 13 10 5 1 0 71 16 1644
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 41 16 9 6 2 0 68 15 823
2017 Technical 24 27 11 24 11 2 0 53 36 45
2017 Administrative Support 32 39 13 6 6 3 0 74 13 286
2017 Operational 20 30 40 10 0 0 0 50 10 10
2017 Other 42 26 24 3 3 0 3 69 5 43

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 Executive 34 30 23 9 4 0 0 64 13 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 45 35 10 7 4 0 0 80 11 1646
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 43 35 11 6 3 1 1 80 9 823
2017 Technical 37 34 9 6 11 2 0 72 18 45
2017 Administrative Support 50 30 12 2 4 1 0 81 7 283
2017 Operational 20 20 40 0 10 0 10 44 11 10
2017 Other 58 23 9 5 3 0 3 83 8 43
2014 Executive 39 39 11 9 0 0 2 80 9 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 46 35 9 5 3 1 1 83 8 1986
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 44 35 12 5 3 1 1 80 8 1083
2014 Technical 47 34 9 3 6 2 0 82 9 65
2014 Administrative Support 45 32 13 3 4 1 2 79 7 447
2014 Operational 29 19 29 0 19 5 0 50 20 19
2014 Other 50 26 11 0 1 4 8 86 2 117

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 Executive 59 34 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 39 41 9 7 3 0 0 80 11 1646
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 37 38 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 821
2017 Technical 33 22 8 27 11 0 0 55 38 45
2017 Administrative Support 46 31 11 7 6 0 0 77 12 285
2017 Operational 10 60 20 10 0 0 0 70 10 10
2017 Other 56 24 16 5 0 0 0 79 5 43
2014 Executive 80 18 2 0 0 0 0 98 0 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 36 41 14 6 2 0 0 77 8 1987
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 40 36 14 7 2 0 0 77 10 1087
2014 Technical 35 35 16 9 5 0 0 70 14 65
2014 Administrative Support 38 37 13 7 4 0 0 75 11 451
2014 Operational 41 27 14 9 5 5 0 71 14 20
2014 Other 55 31 10 3 2 0 0 86 5 117

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 Executive 66 27 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 41 41 9 6 3 0 0 83 8 1644
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 40 40 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 823
2017 Technical 33 34 14 17 2 0 0 67 19 45
2017 Administrative Support 48 30 12 7 4 0 0 78 10 286
2017 Operational 40 50 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 10
2017 Other 44 32 10 8 5 0 0 76 13 43
2014 Executive 77 21 2 0 0 0 0 98 0 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 34 45 13 6 2 0 0 79 8 1987
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 40 43 10 5 1 0 0 83 7 1085
2014 Technical 37 41 12 8 3 0 0 77 11 65
2014 Administrative Support 39 38 15 5 3 0 0 77 8 448
2014 Operational 50 45 0 5 0 0 0 95 5 20
2014 Other 39 44 5 5 5 0 1 84 11 117
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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 Executive 71 20 4 4 0 2 0 93 4 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 59 26 5 5 4 0 0 86 9 1645
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 59 25 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 826
2017 Technical 65 20 8 2 5 0 0 85 7 45
2017 Administrative Support 61 22 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 286
2017 Operational 50 40 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 10
2017 Other 62 24 5 6 0 0 3 88 6 43

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 Executive 66 27 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 59 26 7 4 3 0 0 85 7 1645
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 57 26 9 3 4 1 0 84 7 823
2017 Technical 58 29 4 2 7 0 0 87 9 45
2017 Administrative Support 62 19 10 5 3 1 0 81 8 286
2017 Operational 60 30 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 10
2017 Other 65 16 9 5 3 3 0 83 8 43

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 Executive 46 38 13 4 0 0 0 84 4 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 37 37 11 9 6 0 0 74 15 1642
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 34 39 11 9 6 0 0 73 15 824
2017 Technical 30 30 9 24 7 0 0 60 31 45
2017 Administrative Support 47 28 12 7 5 1 0 76 12 286
2017 Operational 10 50 30 10 0 0 0 60 10 10
2017 Other 56 26 3 10 3 3 0 84 13 43

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 Executive 57 32 7 4 0 0 0 89 4 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 34 40 15 7 4 1 0 74 11 1642
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 36 38 14 6 4 2 0 76 10 823
2017 Technical 22 32 23 15 7 0 0 54 23 44
2017 Administrative Support 36 32 17 6 6 3 0 71 12 286
2017 Operational 20 30 50 0 0 0 0 50 0 10
2017 Other 31 37 12 8 3 3 5 75 11 43

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 Executive 0 4 50 32 14 0 0 4 46 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 22 42 23 8 0 0 26 32 1628
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 21 47 18 9 0 0 26 27 814
2017 Technical 9 30 34 16 11 0 0 39 27 44
2017 Administrative Support 12 32 42 10 3 0 0 45 13 284
2017 Other 27 35 30 3 3 0 3 63 6 43

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 Executive 9 23 36 30 2 0 0 32 32 56
2017 Scientific and Professional 7 18 42 25 7 0 0 32 26 1630
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 19 41 22 9 0 0 31 28 817
2017 Technical 8 18 31 16 24 0 2 41 27 45
2017 Administrative Support 4 13 37 30 14 1 1 45 17 284
2017 Operational 0 10 40 30 20 0 0 50 10 10
2017 Other 5 5 21 31 30 0 8 66 11 43
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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 Scientific and Professional 15 85 1630
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 13 87 816
2017 Administrative Support 11 89 281
2014 Scientific and Professional 10 90 1983
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 11 89 1086
2014 Technical 22 78 65
2014 Administrative Support 14 86 450
2014 Operational 36 64 20
2014 Other 9 91 116

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 41 235
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 51 103
2017 Administrative Support 39 31
2014 Scientific and Professional 46 194
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 45 121
2014 Technical 64 13
2014 Administrative Support 59 63
2014 Other 56 10

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 67 235
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 69 103
2017 Administrative Support 64 31
2014 Scientific and Professional 62 194
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 59 121
2014 Technical 51 13
2014 Administrative Support 54 63

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 11 235
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 6 103
2014 Scientific and Professional 6 194
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 9 121
2014 Technical 0 13

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 Scientific and Professional 0 235
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 103
2017 Administrative Support 0 31
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 194
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 121
2014 Technical 0 13
2014 Administrative Support 0 63
2014 Other 0 10

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 5 103
2014 Administrative Support 0 63

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 3 235

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 235
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 10 102
2014 Scientific and Professional 3 194
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 7 121
2014 Technical 0 13
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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 Scientific and Professional 8 92 1635
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 92 824
2017 Technical 13 87 45
2017 Administrative Support 9 91 286
2017 Operational 0 100 10
2014 Executive 0 100 66
2014 Scientific and Professional 4 96 1983
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 3 97 1086
2014 Technical 9 91 65
2014 Administrative Support 8 92 450
2014 Other 5 95 117

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 33 135
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 51 59
2017 Administrative Support 27 26
2014 Scientific and Professional 40 82
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 35 34
2014 Administrative Support 30 37

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 81 135
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 73 59
2017 Administrative Support 69 26
2014 Scientific and Professional 80 82
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 76 34
2014 Administrative Support 67 37

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 8 135

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 Scientific and Professional 0 135
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 59
2017 Administrative Support 0 26
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 82
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 34
2014 Administrative Support 0 37

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 135

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 7 135
2017 Administrative Support 19 26
2014 Scientific and Professional 7 82
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 15 34
2014 Administrative Support 14 37