2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 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 61 26 6 3 2 1 0 88 6 661
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 32 8 5 3 2 0 83 8 1503
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 32 8 4 3 2 0 84 8 1056
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 30 7 3 3 2 0 87 6 457
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 65 22 7 2 1 3 1 90 3 802
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 31 11 3 2 4 1 84 5 1938
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 32 11 3 2 4 0 83 5 1242
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 32 11 3 1 3 0 84 5 749

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 60 28 5 4 3 0 0 88 7 662
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 37 9 6 4 0 0 81 10 1501
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 41 8 9 5 0 0 78 14 1056
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 39 8 11 3 0 0 77 15 451
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 73 22 3 1 1 0 0 95 2 800
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 33 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 1941
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 34 11 5 3 1 0 81 8 1243
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 37 9 3 3 0 0 85 6 749
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 30 6 3 2 1 0 90 4 548
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 35 10 5 3 0 0 81 8 1499
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 36 11 8 5 1 0 76 13 772
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 35 13 5 5 0 0 77 10 722
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 37 8 4 2 0 0 85 6 557
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 41 12 7 4 0 0 77 11 1182
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 36 13 10 8 0 0 68 19 628
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 37 12 11 7 0 0 71 17 636

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 44 31 13 7 4 0 0 75 12 659
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 36 12 10 5 0 0 73 16 1495
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 12 11 7 0 0 71 18 1051
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 36 13 9 7 0 0 71 16 452
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 34 36 18 6 3 1 1 72 10 804
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 36 16 10 5 0 1 69 15 1939
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 37 13 11 8 0 0 69 18 1244
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 37 13 8 7 0 0 72 16 749

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 36 15 8 4 1 0 72 12 656
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 38 14 13 6 1 0 67 19 1501
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 37 14 12 9 1 0 64 22 1053
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 39 14 11 10 1 0 64 21 453

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 45 31 11 6 4 1 1 78 11 661
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 30 12 9 7 0 1 72 15 1497
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 12 10 8 0 1 70 18 1053
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 34 9 11 8 0 1 72 19 455
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 30 11 5 2 2 2 81 7 804
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 34 12 8 5 1 1 74 14 1941
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 34 13 9 6 0 0 72 16 1243
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 13 10 6 0 1 71 16 749
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 34 11 7 2 1 2 79 10 550
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 34 11 8 5 1 0 76 13 1501
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 37 9 10 6 1 1 76 16 770
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 37 13 8 4 1 1 74 12 721

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 48 33 10 5 4 0 0 80 9 661
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 36 13 10 6 0 0 71 16 1504
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 39 13 10 8 0 0 69 18 1056
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 39 13 10 6 0 0 71 16 456
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 32 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 804
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 36 15 8 4 0 0 73 12 1939
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 37 18 8 4 0 0 69 12 1243
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 39 14 10 5 1 0 71 15 749
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 30 14 8 3 1 0 74 12 549
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 37 15 9 4 0 0 72 13 1498
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 35 15 9 8 0 0 68 17 770
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 37 16 10 6 0 1 68 16 720
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 38 12 7 4 0 0 77 11 558
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 40 15 11 4 0 0 70 15 1180
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 36 16 11 9 0 0 64 20 628
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 40 13 12 6 0 0 70 18 634

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 55 31 9 4 2 0 0 86 6 662
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 39 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 1503
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 38 11 8 4 0 0 77 12 1055
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 39 10 8 3 0 0 79 11 456
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 33 10 4 2 0 0 85 5 804
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 38 12 6 3 0 0 79 9 1941
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 38 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 1244
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 35 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 749
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 36 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 549
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 40 8 7 4 0 0 81 11 1501
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 40 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 770
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 35 9 7 4 0 0 80 11 722
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 41 10 7 4 0 0 79 11 559
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 41 11 6 3 0 0 79 9 1181
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 40 11 5 4 0 0 81 9 630
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 39 7 4 5 0 0 84 9 635
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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 7 5 3 0 0 85 8 663
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 25 6 7 5 0 0 83 12 1508
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 27 7 7 6 0 0 80 13 1055
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 26 6 7 7 1 0 80 14 456

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 62 23 8 4 3 0 0 85 7 662
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 25 8 5 4 1 0 83 9 1508
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 25 10 6 5 1 0 79 11 1052
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 23 10 5 6 1 0 79 11 453

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 46 29 10 8 5 0 0 76 14 662
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 30 14 13 11 0 0 62 23 1506
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 33 14 14 12 0 0 60 26 1056
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 31 10 15 12 0 0 64 26 453

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 31 31 21 9 5 3 0 64 14 662
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 23 34 21 14 7 1 0 58 21 1505
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 35 22 10 9 1 0 58 20 1053
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 36 18 11 7 1 0 63 18 455

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 31 38 11 4 0 1 46 15 658
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 23 43 18 9 0 0 29 27 1497
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 15 43 25 13 0 0 19 38 1040
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 15 45 23 12 0 0 19 35 446

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 5 13 33 27 19 1 2 47 19 654
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 21 40 22 8 1 1 30 29 1501
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 24 45 15 6 0 0 21 34 1038
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 21 45 16 5 0 0 22 33 447
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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 9 91 657
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 1490
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 77 1040
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 444
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 8 92 805
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 1937
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 1243
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 84 747

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 67 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 279
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 238
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 75
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 74 67
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 226
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 118

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 56 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 66 279
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 67 238
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 67 75
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 67
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 72 226
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 118

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 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 279
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 238
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 75
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 67
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 226
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 118

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 60
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 238
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 75
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 67
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 226
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 118

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 8 279
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 237
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 75
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 226
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 118

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 4 279
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 238
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 75
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 7 67
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 226

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 3 279
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 237
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 274
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 226
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 118
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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 93 658
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 89 1503
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 1053
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 450
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 96 802
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 1933
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 1243
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 745

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 48 45
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 51
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 108
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 57

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 55 45
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 78 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 83 140
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 77 133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 80 108
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 84 57

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 140
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 108

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 45
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 108
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 57

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 5 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 140
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 108

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 3 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 140
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 133

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 140
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 133
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 108