2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service Commission of Canada by Question 33. Are you a member of a visible minority group?

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 Visible minority 41 30 19 5 4 1 0 71 9 84
2017 Non-visible minority 60 27 4 5 1 3 0 90 6 418
2014 Visible minority 36 31 14 6 6 7 0 71 13 69
2014 Non-visible minority 43 37 10 3 2 5 0 84 5 510

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 Visible minority 48 30 3 14 4 1 0 78 19 83
2017 Non-visible minority 46 32 13 5 4 0 0 78 9 417
2014 Visible minority 47 36 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 69
2014 Non-visible minority 48 36 10 3 3 0 0 84 6 509
2011 Visible minority 42 39 11 3 3 1 0 83 7 95
2011 Non-visible minority 46 37 9 4 3 0 0 83 7 620
2008 Visible minority 42 37 9 9 3 0 0 79 12 88
2008 Non-visible minority 39 42 10 7 2 0 0 81 9 686

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 Visible minority 31 39 13 9 8 0 0 70 16 81
2017 Non-visible minority 37 32 15 10 6 0 0 69 16 414
2014 Visible minority 26 45 10 14 6 0 0 70 20 69
2014 Non-visible minority 29 37 14 13 6 0 1 67 19 510

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 Visible minority 20 34 21 6 15 4 0 56 22 84
2017 Non-visible minority 28 38 13 14 5 2 0 67 20 417

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 Visible minority 48 26 9 5 11 0 0 75 16 81
2017 Non-visible minority 43 33 9 9 5 0 0 77 14 414
2014 Visible minority 32 46 10 6 6 0 0 78 12 69
2014 Non-visible minority 44 33 10 8 4 1 1 78 12 510
2011 Visible minority 44 33 9 8 5 0 0 77 14 95
2011 Non-visible minority 46 35 7 7 4 0 1 82 11 627

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 Visible minority 31 32 18 11 8 0 0 63 20 82
2017 Non-visible minority 32 37 14 11 5 0 0 69 17 416
2014 Visible minority 29 39 14 8 9 0 0 69 17 69
2014 Non-visible minority 30 41 15 9 5 0 0 71 14 509
2011 Visible minority 29 38 18 9 6 0 0 67 15 95
2011 Non-visible minority 36 38 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 624
2008 Visible minority 34 28 14 14 7 2 0 64 21 88
2008 Non-visible minority 31 41 12 11 4 0 0 72 15 685

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 Visible minority 35 40 10 7 8 0 0 75 15 84
2017 Non-visible minority 36 41 12 9 3 0 0 76 11 414
2014 Visible minority 39 34 12 11 3 2 0 74 14 69
2014 Non-visible minority 35 43 13 6 3 0 0 78 8 510
2011 Visible minority 41 37 12 7 3 0 0 78 10 94
2011 Non-visible minority 43 40 9 6 2 0 0 83 8 626
2008 Visible minority 42 36 7 6 9 0 0 78 15 88
2008 Non-visible minority 39 44 8 6 2 0 0 84 8 684
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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 Visible minority 56 15 14 6 9 0 0 71 15 84
2017 Non-visible minority 53 24 8 8 6 0 0 78 14 418

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 Visible minority 57 9 20 3 9 1 0 67 12 84
2017 Non-visible minority 50 24 13 6 5 1 0 75 11 416

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 Visible minority 35 23 20 9 12 1 0 59 22 83
2017 Non-visible minority 35 28 13 14 10 0 0 63 24 417

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 Visible minority 12 32 26 18 8 4 0 46 27 84
2017 Non-visible minority 25 31 26 10 7 2 0 56 17 417

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 Visible minority 6 20 46 15 12 1 0 26 27 82
2017 Non-visible minority 4 23 40 21 11 0 0 28 32 412

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 Visible minority 10 15 42 22 10 0 1 33 25 84
2017 Non-visible minority 8 24 39 18 11 0 0 29 32 412
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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 Visible minority 20 80 82
2017 Non-visible minority 20 80 416
2014 Visible minority 22 78 69
2014 Non-visible minority 21 79 510

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Visible minority 43 17
2017 Non-visible minority 44 87
2014 Non-visible minority 42 105

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-visible minority 68 87
2014 Visible minority 60 15
2014 Non-visible minority 61 105

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-visible minority 7 87
2014 Non-visible minority 5 105

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 Visible minority 0 17
2017 Non-visible minority 0 87
2014 Visible minority 0 15
2014 Non-visible minority 0 105

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Visible minority 0 17
2014 Non-visible minority 6 105

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Visible minority 0 17
2014 Visible minority 0 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Visible minority 0 17
2017 Non-visible minority 7 87
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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 Visible minority 18 82 83
2017 Non-visible minority 8 92 415
2014 Visible minority 12 88 69
2014 Non-visible minority 6 94 510

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-visible minority 23 33
2014 Non-visible minority 28 31

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Visible minority 0 16
2014 Non-visible minority 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 Visible minority 0 16
2017 Non-visible minority 0 33
2014 Non-visible minority 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 Visible minority 0 16

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Visible minority 0 16
2017 Non-visible minority 0 33