2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service Commission of 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 63 22 7 3 1 4 0 88 4 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 56 30 5 4 4 2 0 88 8 232
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 32 12 10 1 1 0 77 11 91
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 41 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 45 27 12 3 5 8 0 78 9 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 38 12 3 2 6 1 82 6 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 39 8 3 2 2 0 87 5 103
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 38 9 5 0 0 0 86 5 40

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 61 29 8 3 1 0 0 89 3 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 34 10 10 7 0 0 73 16 231
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 28 17 11 6 1 0 65 18 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 37 16 0 5 0 0 80 5 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 57 34 4 2 3 0 0 91 5 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 35 10 4 3 0 0 82 8 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 39 10 3 2 0 0 86 5 103
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 45 38 15 3 0 0 0 82 3 39

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 47 30 13 7 2 0 0 77 10 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 35 16 10 9 0 0 65 19 226
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 36 12 16 7 0 0 65 23 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 35 23 8 5 0 0 64 13 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 36 33 15 10 4 1 1 71 14 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 39 13 14 8 0 1 65 22 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 38 13 12 2 0 0 73 14 103
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 40 22 7 3 0 2 67 10 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 34 14 7 4 1 0 75 11 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 19 38 15 16 10 2 0 58 26 232
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 37 11 20 8 2 0 60 28 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 19 44 20 8 5 5 0 66 13 27

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 57 23 7 9 3 0 1 81 12 159
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 40 9 8 8 0 0 75 16 228
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 31 12 8 11 1 0 69 19 89
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 38 12 9 0 0 0 80 9 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 52 29 5 6 5 1 2 84 11 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 32 13 9 5 1 0 74 14 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 42 8 10 2 0 0 80 12 102
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 47 41 9 0 3 0 0 89 3 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 49 30 11 8 1 0 0 80 9 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 42 15 12 10 0 0 64 22 230
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 21 36 17 19 6 0 0 58 25 89
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 24 29 7 5 0 0 59 12 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 36 44 10 4 6 0 0 80 10 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 41 15 11 7 0 0 67 18 327
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 41 18 8 2 0 0 72 10 103
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 35 17 7 0 0 0 76 7 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 33 10 8 1 0 0 80 10 159
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 41 14 9 7 0 0 71 16 230
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 28 51 11 10 1 0 0 78 10 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 48 5 0 5 0 0 90 5 27
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 40 10 5 2 1 0 83 7 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 30 43 15 8 4 0 0 73 12 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 45 38 13 3 1 0 0 83 4 103
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 46 44 7 3 0 0 0 90 3 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 64 18 11 4 3 0 0 82 7 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 48 25 9 9 8 0 0 74 18 232
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 24 8 11 14 0 0 68 24 91
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 27 8 4 5 0 0 84 8 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 64 15 16 3 2 0 0 78 5 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 26 14 6 8 2 0 71 14 231
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 24 13 11 11 0 0 66 22 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 67 20 10 4 0 0 0 87 4 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 26 10 8 4 0 0 77 12 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 27 30 14 14 14 1 0 58 28 231
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 19 21 23 19 18 0 0 40 36 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 32 40 7 16 5 0 0 72 21 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 30 27 28 9 4 3 0 59 13 160
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 19 34 23 12 10 2 0 54 23 232
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 13 30 27 19 10 1 0 43 29 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 27 38 30 0 0 5 0 68 0 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 32 37 16 7 1 0 40 23 157
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 19 40 21 16 0 0 22 37 230
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 12 47 27 9 1 0 15 37 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 26 55 13 5 0 0 26 18 25

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 5 17 35 23 20 0 1 43 22 159
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 27 40 16 6 0 1 22 38 229
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 25 44 18 4 1 0 23 33 90
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 12 57 26 0 0 0 26 17 26
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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 14 86 159
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 76 230
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 28 72 90
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 21 79 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 23 77 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 78 103

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 70 24
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 56
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 26
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 37 21
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 74
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 23

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 57 24
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 75 56
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 70 26
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 59 21
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 66 74
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 51 23

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 10 56
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 74

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 current department or agency 0 24
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 56
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 26
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 21
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 74
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23

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 current department or agency 0 24
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 56

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 26
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23
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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 93 159
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 231
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 89
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 92 102
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 94 328
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 103

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 20

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 current department or agency 0 11
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 20

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 current department or agency 0 11
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 20

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 0 11
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 20

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 11
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13