2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Innovation, Science and Economic Development 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 32 10 3 2 3 0 85 5 670
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 39 10 4 3 3 0 82 7 1028
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 36 11 5 3 3 1 80 9 718
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 46 34 11 3 3 3 1 83 6 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 30 8 3 0 8 0 87 4 550
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 34 12 3 2 5 0 83 5 1592
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 41 35 14 3 2 5 1 80 5 920
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 35 15 2 2 4 0 80 4 444

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 54 34 5 3 3 0 0 89 6 670
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 38 9 8 6 0 0 77 14 1026
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 40 12 10 6 0 0 73 15 721
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 37 37 11 9 6 0 0 73 15 278
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 62 28 6 2 1 1 0 91 3 550
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 48 36 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 1593
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 39 10 5 3 1 0 83 8 920
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 37 12 6 3 0 0 79 9 443

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 13 8 5 1 0 74 13 672
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 35 15 12 8 0 0 64 21 1028
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 38 16 13 10 0 0 61 23 720
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 33 21 11 10 0 0 57 22 278
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 36 37 13 9 4 1 0 73 14 550
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 27 35 16 13 9 0 0 63 21 1592
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 36 15 15 9 0 0 61 24 921
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 35 16 13 7 0 0 64 20 444

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 33 36 15 9 5 2 0 70 14 671
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 35 20 13 10 0 0 57 24 1024
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 32 19 21 10 1 0 50 31 720
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 22 34 21 10 12 1 0 56 22 277

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 44 34 10 5 5 1 1 79 11 671
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 35 11 8 5 0 1 77 13 1026
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 34 11 9 6 0 0 74 15 719
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 35 13 5 5 1 0 77 11 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 32 8 5 4 0 0 83 9 550
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 31 10 9 5 0 0 77 13 1593
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 35 12 8 7 0 1 74 14 920
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 37 39 11 8 3 0 1 77 11 444

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 41 38 9 8 4 0 0 79 12 673
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 38 14 11 6 0 0 69 18 1029
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 38 16 11 9 0 0 64 20 722
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 33 31 18 8 9 0 0 64 18 277
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 48 33 10 6 2 1 0 81 8 550
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 32 39 15 8 4 1 0 72 13 1593
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 39 18 9 5 0 0 68 14 920
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 39 19 9 7 0 0 66 16 444

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 42 38 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 672
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 38 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 1029
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 40 16 6 4 0 0 75 10 722
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 34 13 7 6 0 0 73 13 278
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 44 37 9 6 4 0 0 81 9 550
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 42 12 7 4 0 0 78 10 1593
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 40 13 6 4 1 0 77 10 922
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 37 44 10 7 3 0 0 81 10 444
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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 62 20 9 4 4 0 0 82 9 671
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 55 25 7 7 5 0 0 80 12 1028
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 28 9 7 6 0 0 78 13 718
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 55 23 10 6 5 1 0 78 12 279

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 62 23 7 3 4 1 0 86 7 671
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 56 25 8 5 5 0 0 82 10 1029
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 51 28 9 6 6 0 0 79 12 717
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 22 11 5 5 1 0 79 10 280

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 41 33 11 8 6 1 0 75 15 670
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 29 14 14 11 0 0 60 26 1026
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 33 14 15 12 0 0 58 28 718
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 32 31 17 9 11 0 0 63 20 279

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 41 34 14 7 3 2 0 77 10 671
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 30 36 18 9 6 1 0 66 15 1027
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 37 19 10 6 2 0 65 16 716
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 34 36 16 6 5 1 0 72 12 281

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 28 42 15 8 0 0 35 23 671
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 22 43 22 10 0 0 25 32 1022
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 18 45 22 12 0 0 21 34 713
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 16 45 23 13 0 0 19 36 275

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 5 16 40 25 13 0 0 39 22 668
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 23 40 22 7 0 0 28 31 1023
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 24 40 19 8 0 0 27 33 709
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 26 44 18 6 0 0 24 32 279
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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 18 82 666
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 79 1022
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 78 717
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 277
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 12 88 549
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 16 84 1588
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 919
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 13 87 442

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 47 121
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 155
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 39
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 39 65
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 245
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 143
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 52 56

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 64 121
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 66 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 75 155
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 57 39
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 66 65
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 69 245
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 71 143
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 52 56

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 5 121
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 155
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 245
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 143
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 56

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 current department or agency 0 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 155
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 39
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 65
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 143
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 56

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 5 121
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 155
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 245
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 9 56

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 10 121
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 155
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 245
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 143
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 56

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 215
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 155
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 65
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 245
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 143
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 56
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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 8 92 668
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 1027
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 88 717
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 5 95 549
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 93 1588
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 920
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 95 444

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 36 52
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 117
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 83
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 28
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 39 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 107
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 54
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 23

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 91 52
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 84 117
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 92 83
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 81 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 90 107
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 87 54
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 91 23

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 0 52
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 107
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 23

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 current department or agency 0 52
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 117
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 28
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 107
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 54
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 23

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 15 52
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 117
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 28
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 107

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 12 52
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 83
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 107
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 21 23

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 5 117
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 107
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 23