2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Veterans Affairs 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 46 36 9 4 2 2 1 84 6 282
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 38 13 8 4 2 0 75 12 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 39 9 4 3 5 0 83 8 467
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 36 12 5 1 2 1 82 5 351
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 27 9 2 0 10 1 88 2 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 34 21 4 2 5 1 71 7 539
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 31 18 5 3 4 1 72 9 509
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 40 17 3 3 7 1 76 6 467

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 51 36 6 5 2 0 0 87 7 283
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 47 9 8 6 0 0 78 13 386
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 45 11 11 7 0 0 71 18 467
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 41 7 13 5 0 0 75 17 350
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 73 23 1 3 0 0 0 96 3 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 45 10 7 5 0 0 78 12 540
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 34 14 10 8 0 0 68 18 508
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 43 13 9 6 0 0 72 15 467
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 34 6 2 1 0 0 91 3 268
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 41 12 8 4 0 0 76 12 1023
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 42 15 8 5 0 0 72 12 796
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 39 15 8 6 1 0 71 14 904
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 35 8 3 1 1 0 88 4 504
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 41 10 7 3 1 0 80 10 1051
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 47 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 825
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 41 13 9 3 0 0 76 12 951

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 38 31 13 11 7 0 0 69 18 283
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 37 12 16 12 0 0 60 27 386
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 37 14 13 10 0 0 64 23 467
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 38 13 12 9 0 0 67 21 350
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 36 38 16 7 2 1 0 75 9 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 34 13 13 13 0 1 60 26 540
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 28 16 17 17 0 0 51 33 509
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 23 34 17 11 14 0 0 58 25 469

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 27 37 14 11 7 2 0 66 19 280
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 41 14 16 13 0 0 57 29 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 38 14 18 12 1 0 57 30 463
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 40 15 14 9 1 0 62 23 350

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 23 12 11 5 0 0 71 17 282
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 38 11 11 7 0 0 71 18 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 37 9 11 11 0 0 69 23 467
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 33 13 9 8 0 0 70 17 351
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 22 9 7 1 3 3 82 9 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 30 12 8 8 0 1 71 16 539
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 30 10 15 11 0 0 64 26 508
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 33 11 15 11 0 0 63 26 469
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 31 11 5 2 1 3 80 8 268
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 35 11 9 6 1 1 73 15 1024
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 12 9 7 1 1 71 16 805
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 35 10 9 8 0 1 73 17 915

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 40 35 9 12 4 0 0 75 16 282
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 42 15 10 9 0 0 66 19 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 41 12 15 11 0 0 62 25 467
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 40 12 11 8 0 0 68 20 347
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 28 7 1 0 0 0 92 1 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 30 25 15 13 0 0 47 28 540
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 27 17 19 19 0 0 45 38 509
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 33 17 19 15 0 0 49 34 469
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 38 11 6 3 0 0 81 9 269
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 37 17 14 7 1 0 62 21 1024
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 37 19 15 7 1 0 59 21 798
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 39 16 12 8 0 0 63 21 908
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 35 10 6 3 1 0 82 8 505
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 39 10 10 4 0 0 75 14 1052
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 44 12 8 3 0 0 77 11 827
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 41 13 7 4 1 0 77 10 953

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 49 38 5 7 1 0 0 86 9 283
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 46 11 5 4 0 0 80 9 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 43 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 466
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 45 6 6 4 0 0 84 10 349
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 31 3 0 1 0 0 95 2 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 37 10 10 4 0 0 76 14 537
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 34 13 12 5 0 0 69 17 507
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 37 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 468
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 35 5 4 1 0 0 90 5 270
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 38 8 8 3 0 0 81 11 1028
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 41 9 5 4 0 0 82 9 805
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 38 8 6 4 0 0 82 10 915
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 35 8 4 2 0 0 86 5 504
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 47 39 8 4 2 0 0 85 6 1052
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 40 6 5 2 0 0 88 6 828
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 38 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 955
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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 60 22 7 4 7 0 0 82 11 283
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 28 8 6 9 1 0 77 15 388
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 25 7 8 8 0 0 77 16 467
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 28 10 6 7 0 0 77 13 351

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 61 24 8 2 5 0 0 85 7 283
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 27 9 5 6 1 0 79 11 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 26 7 5 7 1 0 80 12 466
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 28 10 4 7 1 0 79 11 350

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 38 29 10 11 11 0 0 68 22 282
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 36 15 14 14 0 0 57 28 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 32 12 16 16 0 0 56 32 466
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 33 15 12 12 0 0 61 24 351

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 52 29 11 5 3 0 0 81 8 282
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 35 13 8 5 0 0 74 14 387
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 9 9 5 0 0 77 14 466
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 34 12 6 1 0 0 81 7 349

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 7 27 39 17 10 1 0 34 27 281
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 19 39 24 15 0 0 22 38 376
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 42 26 13 0 0 19 39 462
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 15 42 25 13 0 0 20 38 339

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 11 17 37 25 10 0 0 35 28 277
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 24 38 18 5 0 0 24 39 385
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 28 40 13 5 0 0 18 42 460
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 27 43 14 3 0 0 16 41 346
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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 10 90 281
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 78 384
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 75 464
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 349
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 6 94 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 85 538
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 79 508
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 468

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 61 28
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 82
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 62
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 88
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 60 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 92

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 58 28
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 82
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 72 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 62
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 88
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 60 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 92

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 28
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 82
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 110
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 88
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 92

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 28
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 107

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 the federal public service 0 28
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 82

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 13 82
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 62
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 88
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 92

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 62
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 92
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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 5 95 283
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 88 385
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 461
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 350
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 538
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 508
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 467

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 59 13
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 43
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 53
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 32
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 34
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 31

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 88 43
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 91 53
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 68 32
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 88 34
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 84 31

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 13
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 31
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 31

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 13
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 32
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 34
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 31

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 the federal public service 0 13
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 53
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 32

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 0 13
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 34