2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Veterans Affairs 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 43 36 10 5 3 2 0 82 8 472
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 39 13 7 3 3 0 76 11 406
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 37 9 5 3 3 0 83 8 425
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 46 38 10 3 1 2 0 86 4 178
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 44 32 10 2 1 9 2 85 4 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 32 22 5 3 5 0 68 8 693
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 35 17 3 2 4 1 77 6 438
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 41 16 2 3 6 1 77 6 297

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 46 38 7 6 3 0 0 84 9 474
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 47 9 10 7 0 0 73 18 404
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 28 45 10 11 7 0 0 73 18 424
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 36 40 10 10 4 0 0 76 14 178
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 63 29 4 4 0 0 0 92 4 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 41 11 8 6 0 0 74 14 693
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 37 13 10 9 1 0 69 18 438
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 44 12 9 5 0 0 74 14 297

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 35 33 13 11 8 0 0 68 19 474
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 23 35 15 16 11 0 0 58 27 405
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 40 11 13 10 0 0 66 23 424
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 39 14 10 9 0 0 67 20 177
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 32 41 17 7 2 1 0 74 9 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 31 15 12 16 0 0 57 28 694
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 29 14 18 17 0 0 51 35 438
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 33 20 11 13 0 0 56 24 299

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 25 38 14 12 9 1 0 64 22 470
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 41 15 16 13 1 0 56 29 407
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 21 38 12 17 11 1 0 59 29 420
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 20 40 18 13 8 1 0 60 21 177

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 27 11 11 6 0 0 72 17 472
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 30 38 12 11 9 1 0 68 20 407
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 38 9 11 10 0 0 70 21 424
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 33 12 9 7 0 0 72 16 178
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 50 24 11 10 1 2 2 77 12 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 29 13 11 9 0 0 67 20 693
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 31 9 16 11 1 0 64 28 437
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 35 11 12 12 0 0 66 23 299

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 37 36 10 12 5 0 0 73 17 473
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 44 16 10 11 0 0 63 21 405
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 42 12 15 9 0 0 64 24 423
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 40 10 11 8 0 0 71 19 176
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 53 30 9 6 2 0 0 83 8 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 30 24 16 15 0 0 45 31 694
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 17 29 16 19 19 0 0 46 37 438
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 16 32 18 19 15 0 0 48 34 299

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 44 40 6 7 3 0 0 84 10 474
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 44 13 6 4 0 0 78 10 405
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 44 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 422
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 46 3 5 3 0 0 89 8 178
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 56 34 6 2 2 0 0 89 5 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 33 11 11 5 0 0 72 16 691
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 38 10 11 4 0 1 74 16 436
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 39 12 4 3 0 0 81 8 298
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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 58 23 6 5 7 1 0 82 12 474
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 26 10 8 9 1 0 73 17 407
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 53 25 7 6 9 0 0 78 15 424
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 47 35 8 4 5 0 0 82 10 178

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 58 25 9 3 6 1 0 83 8 474
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 28 10 7 5 1 0 77 13 406
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 26 6 4 8 1 0 82 12 423
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 49 31 11 2 5 1 0 81 8 177

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 33 32 13 12 11 0 0 64 23 473
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 34 13 15 17 0 0 56 32 405
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 33 13 15 14 0 0 58 29 424
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 32 14 12 11 0 0 63 23 178

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 48 31 11 7 3 0 0 78 11 472
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 38 11 8 5 0 0 76 13 406
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 37 11 8 4 0 0 77 12 422
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 49 33 13 4 2 0 0 82 5 178

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 6 24 39 20 11 0 0 30 31 468
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 16 41 25 15 0 0 20 40 394
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 15 43 26 12 0 0 18 39 416
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 17 40 24 11 0 1 24 36 174

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 11 20 38 21 9 0 0 30 32 467
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 24 41 18 4 0 0 22 38 400
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 14 31 38 11 5 0 0 17 45 421
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 23 44 15 3 0 1 18 38 174
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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 16 84 470
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 22 78 405
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 77 419
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 178
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 11 89 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 17 83 692
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 19 81 436
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 77 299

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 59 73
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 86
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 93
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 60 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 56 130
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 61 79
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 62

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 58 73
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 63 86
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 72 93
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 59 130
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 63 79
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 53 62

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 8 73
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 86
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 93
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 130
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 62

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 current department or agency 6 86
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 27
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 79

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 19 73
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 86
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 93
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 130
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 13 79
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 62
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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 7 93 473
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 86 403
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 420
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 177
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 94 192
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 92 692
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 436
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 95 298

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 41 31
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 51
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 28 40
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 15
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 47
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 26
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 37 19

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 80 31
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 89 51
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 74 47
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 84 26
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 90 19

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 current department or agency 0 51
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 40
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 15
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 19

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 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 15
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 47
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 26
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 19

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 40
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 15
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 19

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 current department or agency 9 51
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 19