2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Veterans Affairs Canada by Question 20.1. Occupational category (variable derived from question 20)

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 Executive 29 63 2 4 0 2 0 94 4 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 40 37 12 2 4 5 1 81 6 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 39 38 11 6 3 3 0 79 9 1004
2017 Administrative Support 55 30 7 4 2 2 0 87 6 169
2017 Other 37 44 0 9 3 0 7 87 13 27
2014 Executive 32 54 12 2 0 0 0 86 2 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 37 43 13 2 2 2 1 82 5 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 36 33 17 5 3 6 0 74 8 1129
2014 Administrative Support 40 27 18 4 3 8 0 73 7 196
2014 Other 43 36 10 2 0 5 4 87 2 39

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 Executive 43 38 4 10 4 0 0 81 15 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 45 32 7 9 6 0 0 77 16 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 31 46 9 9 5 0 0 76 14 1004
2017 Administrative Support 41 41 7 7 4 0 0 82 11 169
2017 Other 55 24 9 7 4 0 0 79 12 27
2014 Executive 39 49 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 39 34 8 6 13 0 0 73 19 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 34 38 13 9 5 0 0 72 14 1129
2014 Administrative Support 45 37 9 7 1 0 0 82 8 195
2014 Other 54 31 5 10 0 0 0 85 10 40

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 Executive 35 42 6 10 6 0 0 77 17 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 25 32 14 13 15 0 0 58 29 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 28 37 12 13 9 0 0 65 23 1004
2017 Administrative Support 34 31 16 10 8 0 0 66 19 168
2017 Other 38 29 14 3 16 0 0 67 19 27
2014 Executive 44 42 7 4 4 0 0 85 8 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 18 29 21 13 20 0 0 46 33 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 23 33 15 15 14 0 0 56 29 1131
2014 Administrative Support 23 39 17 10 9 1 1 63 20 196
2014 Other 36 41 9 7 6 0 0 78 13 40

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 Executive 29 44 8 15 4 0 0 73 19 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 20 36 10 16 16 2 0 57 33 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 20 39 15 16 10 1 0 59 26 1000
2017 Administrative Support 20 40 14 12 12 1 0 61 24 169
2017 Other 30 46 7 0 17 0 0 76 17 26

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 Executive 20 29 13 21 17 0 0 50 38 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 39 31 11 9 9 0 0 70 18 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 33 36 11 10 8 0 0 70 19 1004
2017 Administrative Support 50 26 7 8 8 1 1 76 16 170
2017 Other 64 8 10 18 0 0 0 72 18 27
2014 Executive 15 26 19 31 10 0 0 40 41 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 36 24 10 14 15 1 0 60 30 169
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 34 34 11 13 9 0 0 68 21 1131
2014 Administrative Support 33 31 14 15 6 0 1 66 21 195
2014 Other 56 23 11 2 2 3 3 85 4 40

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 Executive 31 42 15 6 6 0 0 73 13 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 32 36 11 10 11 0 0 68 21 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 42 13 13 8 0 0 66 21 1001
2017 Administrative Support 34 37 11 9 8 0 0 71 17 169
2017 Other 52 25 10 9 4 0 0 77 13 27
2014 Executive 23 37 16 19 6 0 0 59 25 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 20 27 16 12 25 0 0 47 37 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 17 31 18 20 14 0 0 48 34 1131
2014 Administrative Support 24 38 18 12 7 0 0 63 19 196
2014 Other 57 29 9 5 1 0 0 85 6 40

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 Executive 41 44 4 8 2 0 0 85 10 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 41 38 11 4 6 0 0 78 10 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 36 45 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 1002
2017 Administrative Support 46 38 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 170
2017 Other 57 24 4 14 0 0 0 81 14 27
2014 Executive 70 16 8 4 2 0 0 86 6 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 40 34 9 15 2 0 1 74 17 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 36 40 12 9 4 0 0 75 13 1126
2014 Administrative Support 40 39 10 4 7 0 0 79 11 196
2014 Other 60 27 7 1 6 0 0 86 7 40
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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 Executive 60 23 2 13 2 0 0 83 15 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 47 31 5 6 10 0 0 78 16 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 52 25 8 6 8 0 0 78 14 1005
2017 Administrative Support 49 28 8 6 7 1 1 78 13 170
2017 Other 73 12 0 3 12 0 0 86 14 27

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 Executive 62 23 4 8 2 0 0 85 10 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 52 28 9 4 8 0 0 80 12 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 54 26 9 4 6 1 0 81 10 1004
2017 Administrative Support 53 26 9 5 6 2 0 80 11 168
2017 Other 72 10 7 0 12 0 0 81 12 27

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 Executive 20 46 15 13 6 0 0 66 19 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 28 15 17 14 0 0 55 30 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 33 14 14 13 0 0 58 28 1003
2017 Administrative Support 35 31 9 14 11 0 0 66 25 169
2017 Other 57 20 4 3 16 0 0 77 19 27

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 Executive 58 31 4 6 0 0 0 90 6 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 45 33 7 10 5 0 0 78 15 138
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 40 38 10 7 4 0 0 79 11 1001
2017 Administrative Support 52 23 16 6 2 0 1 75 8 170
2017 Other 69 14 10 7 0 0 0 83 7 27

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 Executive 2 4 43 38 13 0 0 6 50 48
2017 Scientific and Professional 5 22 41 23 9 0 0 27 32 133
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 16 42 25 14 0 0 19 39 982
2017 Administrative Support 11 33 30 18 8 0 0 45 25 169
2017 Other 3 33 31 22 7 5 0 37 30 26

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 Executive 17 43 29 9 2 0 0 11 60 47
2017 Scientific and Professional 13 26 31 23 7 0 0 30 40 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 13 27 41 14 4 0 0 18 40 994
2017 Administrative Support 9 15 39 25 11 0 1 37 24 166
2017 Other 10 15 24 33 17 0 0 50 25 25
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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 Scientific and Professional 23 77 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 19 81 997
2017 Administrative Support 21 79 169
2014 Executive 27 73 41
2014 Scientific and Professional 22 78 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 18 82 1129
2014 Administrative Support 20 80 195

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 39 31
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 51 185
2017 Administrative Support 59 36
2014 Scientific and Professional 47 30
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 56 213
2014 Administrative Support 75 39

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 71 31
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 62 185
2017 Administrative Support 59 36
2014 Scientific and Professional 67 30
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 56 213
2014 Administrative Support 41 39

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 9 185
2017 Administrative Support 0 36
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 213
2014 Administrative Support 0 39

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 Scientific and Professional 0 31
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 185
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 30
2014 Administrative Support 0 39

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 185
2014 Administrative Support 0 39

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 12 185
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 9 213

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 31
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 185
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 213
2014 Administrative Support 0 39
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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 Scientific and Professional 11 89 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 10 90 999
2017 Administrative Support 9 91 169
2014 Scientific and Professional 10 90 170
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 94 1127
2014 Administrative Support 7 93 196

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 30 100
2017 Administrative Support 38 16
2014 Scientific and Professional 39 13
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 29 65
2014 Administrative Support 55 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 100 13
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 90 100
2014 Scientific and Professional 92 13
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 86 65
2014 Administrative Support 68 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 13
2017 Administrative Support 0 16
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 65

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 Scientific and Professional 0 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 13
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 65
2014 Administrative Support 0 12

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administrative Support 0 16
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 13
2014 Administrative Support 0 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 13
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 7 100
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 8 65
2014 Administrative Support 0 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 13