2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Veterans Affairs Canada by Question 31. Are you an Aboriginal person?

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 Aboriginal 26 36 15 11 8 4 0 65 20 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 42 38 10 5 3 3 0 82 8 1420
2014 Aboriginal 33 30 22 7 6 3 0 64 13 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 36 34 18 4 2 6 1 75 6 1572

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 Aboriginal 27 37 15 16 6 0 0 64 22 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 34 43 8 9 5 0 0 78 14 1419
2014 Aboriginal 43 29 11 12 5 0 0 72 18 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 37 39 11 8 6 0 0 76 14 1572
2011 Aboriginal 35 31 17 8 8 1 0 67 16 103
2011 Non-Aboriginal 34 40 13 7 5 0 0 75 12 2896
2008 Aboriginal 32 38 13 13 4 0 0 70 17 118
2008 Non-Aboriginal 38 42 11 7 3 1 0 80 9 3260

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 Aboriginal 30 20 20 16 14 0 0 50 30 50
2017 Non-Aboriginal 29 37 13 13 9 0 0 65 22 1420
2014 Aboriginal 38 27 8 10 17 0 0 65 27 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 25 33 16 13 13 0 0 58 26 1575

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 Aboriginal 22 20 21 21 13 2 0 43 35 50
2017 Non-Aboriginal 20 40 14 15 11 1 0 61 25 1414

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 Aboriginal 25 35 17 16 7 0 0 59 24 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 37 34 10 10 8 0 0 71 18 1420
2014 Aboriginal 38 23 15 12 11 0 0 62 23 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 37 30 11 12 9 1 1 68 21 1573
2011 Aboriginal 34 33 11 9 12 0 1 67 21 104
2011 Non-Aboriginal 38 35 11 9 6 1 1 74 15 2915

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 Aboriginal 14 36 25 10 16 0 0 50 25 50
2017 Non-Aboriginal 28 40 12 12 8 0 0 68 20 1417
2014 Aboriginal 27 24 16 16 17 0 0 51 32 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 21 30 19 16 14 0 0 52 30 1575
2011 Aboriginal 21 34 20 10 13 1 0 56 24 103
2011 Non-Aboriginal 25 38 17 13 7 0 0 63 20 2904
2008 Aboriginal 29 34 11 17 7 2 0 65 25 118
2008 Non-Aboriginal 37 40 11 8 3 1 0 77 11 3265

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 Aboriginal 29 48 12 4 7 0 0 77 11 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 39 43 8 6 3 0 0 82 10 1418
2014 Aboriginal 53 26 7 7 7 0 0 79 14 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 41 36 10 9 4 0 0 77 13 1569
2011 Aboriginal 41 37 12 5 4 0 0 79 9 104
2011 Non-Aboriginal 43 39 8 6 3 0 0 83 10 2921
2008 Aboriginal 47 37 6 8 2 0 0 84 10 117
2008 Non-Aboriginal 49 38 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 3268
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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 Aboriginal 40 26 8 14 13 0 0 66 26 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 52 26 8 6 8 0 0 79 13 1422

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 Aboriginal 42 35 4 6 13 0 0 77 19 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 54 26 9 4 6 1 0 81 10 1419

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 Aboriginal 22 19 14 28 17 0 0 41 45 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 27 33 13 13 13 0 0 61 26 1420

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 Aboriginal 37 20 20 16 6 0 2 58 22 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 43 35 11 7 4 0 0 79 11 1417

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 Aboriginal 8 11 43 25 13 0 0 19 38 49
2017 Non-Aboriginal 4 19 41 23 12 0 0 23 36 1393

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 Aboriginal 12 43 32 9 4 0 0 13 55 50
2017 Non-Aboriginal 13 24 40 17 6 0 0 23 37 1402
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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 Aboriginal 39 61 51
2017 Non-Aboriginal 19 81 1411
2014 Aboriginal 27 73 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 17 83 1570

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 58 19
2017 Non-Aboriginal 50 259
2014 Aboriginal 100 14
2014 Non-Aboriginal 53 286

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 67 19
2017 Non-Aboriginal 62 259
2014 Non-Aboriginal 59 286

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 7 259
2014 Non-Aboriginal 7 286

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 Aboriginal 0 19
2017 Non-Aboriginal 3 259

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 3 259
2014 Aboriginal 0 14
2014 Non-Aboriginal 4 286

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 11 259
2014 Non-Aboriginal 9 286

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 0 19
2017 Non-Aboriginal 3 259
2014 Aboriginal 0 14
2014 Non-Aboriginal 5 286
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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 Aboriginal 18 82 50
2017 Non-Aboriginal 10 90 1413
2014 Aboriginal 16 84 65
2014 Non-Aboriginal 7 93 1570

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 33 130
2014 Non-Aboriginal 35 98

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 89 130
2014 Non-Aboriginal 76 98

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 Non-Aboriginal 4 130
2014 Non-Aboriginal 0 98

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 7 130
2014 Non-Aboriginal 9 98

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 6 130