2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Innovation, Science and Economic Development 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 49 31 9 3 3 4 1 85 6 248
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 36 11 4 3 3 0 81 8 923
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 37 10 4 3 3 0 82 8 1002
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 34 9 3 2 2 1 85 6 517
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 25 8 4 0 8 0 88 4 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 33 11 3 1 5 0 83 5 1340
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 35 13 3 2 5 0 81 5 1142
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 36 14 2 2 4 1 81 4 833

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 62 28 4 3 3 0 0 91 5 247
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 37 10 7 4 0 0 79 12 921
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 41 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 1005
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 38 10 9 7 0 0 74 15 517
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 69 25 4 2 0 0 0 94 2 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 34 9 3 2 1 0 86 5 1342
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 38 9 5 2 1 0 84 7 1143
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 12 5 2 0 0 80 8 830
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 57 32 7 3 1 0 0 89 4 451
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 37 11 4 2 1 0 82 7 1486
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 38 14 7 5 1 0 73 13 923
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 41 15 7 4 1 0 74 11 1000
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 36 7 3 1 0 0 88 5 473
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 42 13 6 5 1 0 77 10 1279
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 42 13 8 5 1 0 73 13 720
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 42 14 8 6 1 0 71 14 1024

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 47 30 12 5 6 0 0 76 11 249
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 35 14 12 7 0 0 66 20 921
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 37 17 12 9 0 0 62 21 1006
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 32 18 13 9 0 0 61 22 517
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 32 36 15 9 7 1 0 68 16 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 36 15 12 7 0 0 65 20 1341
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 35 15 14 8 0 0 63 22 1143
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 36 15 13 8 0 0 64 21 833

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 35 35 15 8 5 2 1 71 13 248
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 36 17 12 9 1 0 60 22 918
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 33 19 18 9 1 0 54 27 1004
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 35 21 12 11 1 0 56 23 517

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 48 31 12 2 5 0 0 80 8 249
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 35 10 6 5 0 0 79 11 920
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 35 11 9 6 0 1 74 15 1002
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 33 12 7 5 0 1 75 13 519
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 31 8 2 3 0 1 86 5 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 32 9 8 4 1 0 79 12 1343
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 33 11 8 7 0 0 73 15 1143
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 37 11 7 5 0 1 77 12 832
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 32 9 4 1 1 0 86 5 453
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 34 8 6 3 0 1 83 9 1488
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 37 11 7 4 0 1 77 12 924
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 37 11 6 3 0 1 79 10 1009

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 45 37 7 6 4 0 0 82 11 249
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 37 13 11 6 0 0 70 17 922
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 39 15 10 8 0 0 68 18 1008
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 34 16 10 8 0 1 65 19 517
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 30 11 4 1 1 0 84 5 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 39 14 8 4 0 0 75 12 1342
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 38 16 9 4 1 0 70 14 1143
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 37 19 9 6 0 0 66 15 832
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 39 14 7 2 0 0 78 8 447
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 39 16 9 4 0 0 71 12 1489
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 38 19 11 6 1 0 64 17 922
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 41 17 11 6 1 0 65 17 1007
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 40 9 5 3 1 0 83 8 472
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 41 16 9 6 0 0 69 15 1281
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 40 16 12 6 1 0 66 18 723
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 39 16 12 6 0 0 66 18 1027

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 43 38 8 7 3 0 0 81 10 249
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 37 11 7 5 0 0 76 13 923
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 41 14 7 3 0 0 76 10 1006
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 34 14 8 5 0 0 73 12 518
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 38 11 5 3 1 0 81 8 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 42 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 1342
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 39 13 7 4 0 0 76 11 1144
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 42 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 833
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 42 12 4 1 0 0 82 6 453
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 44 10 6 3 0 0 81 8 1491
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 43 10 6 3 0 0 81 10 921
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 43 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 1010
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 42 7 5 2 0 0 85 7 472
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 42 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 1281
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 46 8 8 3 0 0 81 11 723
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 42 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 1025
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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 66 18 9 3 4 0 0 84 6 247
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 24 7 6 4 0 0 82 10 922
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 26 9 8 6 0 0 78 13 1005
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 25 9 6 7 1 0 78 13 517

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 68 17 6 4 3 1 1 86 7 247
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 26 8 3 4 0 0 85 7 922
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 26 9 6 5 0 0 79 12 1004
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 24 10 6 6 1 0 78 12 519

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 47 34 7 7 5 0 0 81 12 247
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 29 13 13 10 1 0 63 23 921
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 33 14 14 11 0 0 60 25 1003
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 29 15 13 11 0 0 60 24 517

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 46 32 13 5 2 2 0 80 7 247
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 36 17 9 5 1 0 67 15 921
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 37 18 9 6 1 0 66 16 1003
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 17 6 6 1 0 71 12 519

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 8 37 40 10 4 0 1 45 14 249
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 24 43 20 8 0 0 29 28 919
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 18 44 22 12 0 0 21 34 998
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 43 23 14 0 0 19 38 510

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 10 43 26 16 0 0 42 14 247
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 19 41 23 9 0 0 33 26 917
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 26 40 19 7 0 0 26 34 995
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 25 39 20 7 0 0 27 34 515
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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 14 86 249
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 915
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 999
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 514
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 7 93 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 1337
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 1143
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 829

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 49 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 174
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 221
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 101
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 179
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 202
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 113

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 57 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 174
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 72 221
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 73 101
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 12
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 179
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 73 202
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 66 113

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 the federal public service 0 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 174
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 221
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 179
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 202
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 113

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 174
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 221
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 101
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 12
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 202
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 113

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 174
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 221
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 179
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 202
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 113

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 the federal public service 15 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 174
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 221
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 101
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 179
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 202
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 113

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 174
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 101
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 12
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 202
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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 7 93 248
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 90 922
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 998
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 518
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 97 169
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 94 1340
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 1139
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 833

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 35 16
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 92
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 108
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 64
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 83
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 65
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 55

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 84 92
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 90 108
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 89 64
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 88 83
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 83 65
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 95 55

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 the federal public service 0 16

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 16
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 92
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 64
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 83
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 65
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 55

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 92
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 108
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 83

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 108
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 55

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 108
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 83
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 65