2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat by Question 23. Are you a supervisor?

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 Supervisor 56 31 7 4 1 1 0 88 6 431
2017 Non-supervisor 48 34 8 3 2 5 0 86 6 918
2014 Supervisor 55 32 7 2 1 4 0 91 2 376
2014 Non-supervisor 45 33 12 3 2 4 1 83 5 1047

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 Supervisor 46 39 6 6 3 0 0 85 9 429
2017 Non-supervisor 47 36 7 6 3 0 0 83 10 914
2014 Supervisor 62 29 4 3 2 0 0 91 4 375
2014 Non-supervisor 48 36 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 1048
2011 Supervisor 47 34 10 6 3 0 0 80 9 523
2011 Non-supervisor 44 36 10 5 3 1 0 81 9 1202
2008 Supervisor 45 41 8 5 2 0 0 86 6 274
2008 Non-supervisor 41 41 8 5 4 1 0 83 10 701

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 Supervisor 42 36 11 7 4 0 0 78 10 430
2017 Non-supervisor 36 35 12 11 6 0 0 71 17 918
2014 Supervisor 45 37 10 6 3 0 0 82 9 376
2014 Non-supervisor 33 35 15 10 7 0 0 68 17 1051

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 Supervisor 31 40 12 12 4 1 0 71 17 429
2017 Non-supervisor 27 36 15 13 7 1 0 64 21 916

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 Supervisor 36 35 10 14 4 1 0 72 18 431
2017 Non-supervisor 50 29 7 8 4 1 1 80 12 916
2014 Supervisor 39 33 11 12 5 1 0 73 17 375
2014 Non-supervisor 42 33 10 10 4 0 1 76 14 1051
2011 Supervisor 39 39 8 10 4 0 1 78 14 525
2011 Non-supervisor 45 36 8 6 3 0 1 82 10 1200

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 Supervisor 40 38 10 9 4 0 0 77 13 431
2017 Non-supervisor 40 36 12 7 4 0 0 76 12 914
2014 Supervisor 40 38 11 7 3 0 0 78 10 376
2014 Non-supervisor 31 39 15 10 4 0 0 70 14 1047
2011 Supervisor 34 38 12 9 6 0 0 73 15 525
2011 Non-supervisor 33 34 17 9 6 0 0 67 16 1198
2008 Supervisor 31 45 12 7 4 0 0 77 12 274
2008 Non-supervisor 34 40 13 8 5 1 0 74 13 703

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 Supervisor 45 37 10 5 2 0 0 82 8 430
2017 Non-supervisor 44 38 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 919
2014 Supervisor 51 36 7 4 1 0 0 88 5 376
2014 Non-supervisor 37 40 12 7 4 0 0 77 11 1050
2011 Supervisor 44 42 7 4 3 0 0 86 7 524
2011 Non-supervisor 39 41 9 8 4 0 0 80 11 1201
2008 Supervisor 49 37 6 5 2 0 0 86 7 274
2008 Non-supervisor 39 41 10 8 3 0 0 80 10 701
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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 Supervisor 56 25 7 8 3 1 0 82 11 428
2017 Non-supervisor 60 22 6 7 5 0 0 82 12 916

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 Supervisor 58 25 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 427
2017 Non-supervisor 62 19 9 5 4 1 0 82 9 914

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 Supervisor 34 32 11 14 8 1 0 67 22 428
2017 Non-supervisor 41 30 11 9 9 0 0 71 18 916

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 Supervisor 43 36 11 7 3 0 0 79 9 424
2017 Non-supervisor 37 36 14 8 4 2 0 74 12 912

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 Supervisor 1 12 39 34 14 0 0 13 48 425
2017 Non-supervisor 5 21 46 21 8 0 0 26 29 907

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 Supervisor 13 27 43 14 3 0 0 17 40 424
2017 Non-supervisor 7 22 42 22 7 0 0 29 29 907
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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 Supervisor 16 84 426
2017 Non-supervisor 22 78 911
2014 Supervisor 13 87 375
2014 Non-supervisor 18 82 1048

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 32 67
2017 Non-supervisor 36 197
2014 Supervisor 24 50
2014 Non-supervisor 38 185

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 76 67
2017 Non-supervisor 77 197
2014 Supervisor 74 50
2014 Non-supervisor 76 185

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 16 67
2014 Supervisor 20 50

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 Supervisor 0 66
2017 Non-supervisor 0 197
2014 Supervisor 0 50
2014 Non-supervisor 0 185

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 6 197
2014 Non-supervisor 6 185

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 0 66

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 0 66
2017 Non-supervisor 5 197
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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 Supervisor 6 94 430
2017 Non-supervisor 12 88 906
2014 Supervisor 6 94 375
2014 Non-supervisor 8 92 1044

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Supervisor 31 26
2017 Non-supervisor 35 105
2014 Non-supervisor 40 85

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 85 105
2014 Supervisor 87 23
2014 Non-supervisor 80 85

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 Supervisor 0 26
2014 Supervisor 0 23
2014 Non-supervisor 0 85

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 10 105
2014 Non-supervisor 10 85