2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat by Question 24. In total, how many years have you been working in the federal public service?

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 the federal public service 54 37 4 0 1 5 0 95 1 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 32 8 4 2 5 0 86 6 503
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 37 9 4 2 3 0 84 7 565
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 59 26 6 4 1 3 0 88 6 225
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 25 6 3 2 3 1 88 6 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 33 11 2 2 4 1 84 4 565
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 34 11 3 1 5 0 85 4 474
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 35 9 2 1 3 0 88 3 265

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 the federal public service 63 29 4 4 0 0 0 92 4 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 34 6 5 3 0 0 86 8 503
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 41 8 8 4 0 0 81 12 561
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 37 9 7 5 0 0 79 12 223
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 23 6 0 1 1 1 92 1 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 35 8 3 2 1 0 87 5 567
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 34 9 5 2 0 0 83 7 474
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 35 7 3 1 0 0 89 4 263
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 60 31 6 1 1 1 0 91 3 220
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 37 12 4 2 1 0 82 6 712
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 35 11 7 5 1 0 77 12 403
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 11 8 5 1 0 77 13 364
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 30 4 3 2 0 0 91 5 160
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 45 8 5 3 1 0 84 8 370
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 43 9 7 3 0 0 82 9 199
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 41 9 5 6 0 0 79 11 238

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 the federal public service 40 40 11 5 3 0 0 80 8 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 33 13 9 5 0 0 73 14 502
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 37 11 11 7 0 0 72 18 565
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 35 13 8 6 0 0 73 13 225
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 32 12 6 2 0 1 79 9 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 34 14 9 6 0 0 71 16 567
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 34 15 11 6 0 0 68 17 472
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 42 12 6 5 0 0 77 11 265

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 the federal public service 31 42 13 9 4 1 0 74 13 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 36 13 14 5 0 0 69 18 501
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 38 14 14 8 2 0 63 23 564
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 36 18 12 6 0 0 63 19 224

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 the federal public service 55 32 5 4 0 1 3 90 4 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 29 8 10 4 1 0 77 14 502
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 34 9 11 4 1 0 76 16 564
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 28 8 10 6 0 0 75 16 225
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 27 12 5 1 0 3 80 7 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 34 9 11 4 0 0 76 15 566
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 32 10 12 4 1 0 74 16 474
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 35 11 8 4 0 1 76 13 263
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 31 7 4 2 1 4 86 7 221
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 37 8 7 4 0 0 80 11 711
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 6 10 4 1 1 80 14 403
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 41 10 7 3 0 1 80 10 365

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 the federal public service 52 34 8 5 1 1 0 86 6 111
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 37 11 8 4 0 0 78 11 502
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 37 14 8 6 0 0 72 14 564
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 37 10 7 5 0 0 78 12 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 36 10 3 1 0 1 86 4 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 39 13 10 4 0 0 73 14 566
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 37 16 11 5 0 0 67 17 474
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 42 14 5 3 0 0 78 8 264
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 34 11 7 3 0 1 79 10 221
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 36 16 8 6 0 0 70 14 709
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 37 16 9 8 0 0 66 18 403
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 32 18 13 7 1 0 62 20 365
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 37 10 3 1 1 0 85 4 160
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 43 11 8 4 0 0 76 13 370
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 46 13 9 5 0 1 73 13 199
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 38 15 9 7 0 0 69 16 240

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 the federal public service 49 36 7 8 0 0 0 85 8 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 36 9 5 3 0 0 84 8 503
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 38 12 7 3 0 0 79 10 566
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 38 7 6 4 0 0 83 10 224
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 39 5 5 6 0 0 85 10 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 41 10 8 4 0 0 78 12 566
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 40 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 473
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 33 11 3 1 0 0 85 5 264
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 44 6 5 4 0 1 85 9 220
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 40 9 8 4 0 0 80 11 712
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 44 6 6 3 0 0 84 9 403
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 38 10 6 2 0 0 82 8 364
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 38 8 9 2 0 0 81 11 159
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 42 11 6 2 0 0 81 8 369
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 41 6 8 2 0 0 85 10 199
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 37 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 240
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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 the federal public service 72 14 4 7 2 1 0 87 9 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 27 5 6 4 0 0 85 9 499
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 55 23 8 9 5 0 0 78 14 564
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 20 6 7 3 1 1 82 11 224

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 the federal public service 73 14 9 2 2 0 0 87 4 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 22 9 4 3 1 0 84 7 498
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 23 9 6 5 0 0 80 12 562
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 63 18 5 8 4 1 1 83 12 224

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 the federal public service 58 27 11 0 4 0 0 85 4 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 32 12 10 8 0 0 70 17 499
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 30 10 15 9 1 0 66 24 564
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 30 13 10 12 0 0 65 22 224

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 the federal public service 39 38 13 5 0 5 0 81 5 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 35 14 7 3 1 0 75 11 498
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 36 13 9 4 2 0 73 13 558
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 12 6 2 1 0 80 8 223

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 the federal public service 11 31 39 16 4 0 0 42 19 109
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 17 49 25 5 0 0 21 30 496
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 17 41 27 13 0 0 19 40 559
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 13 41 25 17 0 0 18 42 223

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 the federal public service 7 17 36 26 14 0 0 41 23 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 22 43 21 7 0 0 28 29 493
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 25 44 18 3 0 0 21 36 559
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 29 37 15 6 0 0 22 41 221
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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 the federal public service 11 89 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 18 82 500
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 77 557
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 223
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 567
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 79 474
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 265

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 89
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 128
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 42
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 94
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 99
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 33

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 the federal public service 48 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 73 89
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 81 128
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 77 42
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 72 94
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 79 99
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 76 33

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 the federal public service 0 12
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 128
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 42
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 99

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 the federal public service 0 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 89
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 128
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 94
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 99
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 33

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 the federal public service 0 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 89
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 128
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 94
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 99

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 the federal public service 0 12
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 128
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 41
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 33

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 89
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 99
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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 the federal public service 4 96 112
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 89 497
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 558
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 225
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 95 90
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 92 567
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 473
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 95 264

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 52
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 45
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 44
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 13

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 80 52
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 87 54
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 73 45
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 89 44
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 91 13

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 52
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 45
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 44
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 13

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 the federal public service 16 52
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 45
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 52
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 13

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 13