2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat 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 54 32 7 2 2 3 0 89 4 537
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 33 9 5 2 4 0 84 7 721
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 41 6 1 2 3 0 90 4 132
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 74 26 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 52 30 7 2 1 6 1 88 4 411
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 46 34 12 2 2 3 0 83 4 845
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 40 5 4 1 3 0 89 5 118
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 71 22 4 0 0 4 0 96 0 28

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 55 34 5 4 2 0 0 89 6 535
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 42 38 8 8 4 0 0 80 12 718
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 45 10 5 6 0 0 79 11 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 33 45 13 10 0 0 0 78 10 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 61 29 5 2 1 1 1 91 3 412
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 48 36 9 4 2 0 0 84 6 844
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 37 10 3 3 0 0 85 5 118
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 60 26 11 3 0 0 0 86 3 28

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 43 34 11 8 3 0 0 78 11 537
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 37 13 10 7 0 0 71 16 720
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 34 13 11 10 0 0 65 22 132
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 39 19 7 0 0 0 74 7 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 30 10 9 4 0 0 77 13 411
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 32 36 14 10 7 0 0 68 17 846
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 49 15 7 3 0 0 75 10 117
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 39 18 0 0 0 0 82 0 28

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 33 38 12 11 4 1 0 73 15 536
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 37 14 15 8 1 0 63 23 719
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 20 36 22 14 7 1 0 57 22 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 26 20 13 0 0 6 65 14 14

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 50 30 7 8 3 1 1 81 11 535
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 31 8 11 5 0 0 75 16 721
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 35 12 10 4 1 0 73 15 132
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 71 16 7 7 0 0 0 87 7 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 29 10 9 4 0 1 76 14 412
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 33 10 11 4 0 0 75 15 844
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 40 10 10 3 1 2 76 13 117
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 44 39 7 4 4 0 4 86 7 28

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 47 34 8 7 3 0 0 81 10 535
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 39 13 8 6 0 0 74 14 720
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 38 17 9 3 0 0 71 12 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 43 22 0 0 0 0 78 0 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 43 36 10 7 3 1 1 80 10 412
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 30 39 17 10 4 0 0 69 14 845
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 48 12 7 6 0 1 75 13 118
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 33 15 11 0 0 0 74 11 27

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 50 34 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 537
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 39 11 6 2 0 0 80 9 721
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 40 5 6 4 1 1 85 10 132
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 46 6 0 7 0 0 87 7 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 45 37 8 6 3 0 0 82 9 412
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 40 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 844
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 47 9 5 2 0 0 84 7 117
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 65 16 14 4 0 0 0 81 4 28
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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 63 24 4 5 3 1 0 87 9 536
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 56 23 7 8 5 0 0 80 13 717
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 20 8 11 5 1 0 76 16 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 74 7 19 0 0 0 0 81 0 14

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 66 20 8 4 2 0 0 86 6 534
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 57 22 9 5 5 1 1 81 10 717
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 20 5 13 5 1 0 76 19 130
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 74 13 7 0 7 0 0 87 7 14

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 46 31 10 7 6 0 0 77 13 536
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 29 12 13 11 0 0 64 24 717
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 30 14 14 8 1 0 64 22 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 26 19 0 7 7 0 72 7 14

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 40 35 12 7 2 3 0 78 10 532
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 36 15 8 4 1 0 73 11 715
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 41 35 10 7 6 2 0 78 13 129
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 45 42 13 0 0 0 0 87 0 14

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 6 23 40 22 8 0 0 29 31 530
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 15 46 27 11 0 0 17 37 711
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 12 45 28 13 0 0 14 41 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 20 13 47 7 13 0 0 33 20 14

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 8 22 38 24 8 0 0 32 30 533
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 24 45 17 5 0 0 22 33 706
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 31 41 13 3 0 0 17 43 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 13 26 34 20 7 0 0 27 39 14
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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 18 82 532
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 22 78 716
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 82 129
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 100 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 16 84 412
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 17 83 846
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 118

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 35 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 152
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 36 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 144
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 19

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 69 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 79 152
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 70 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 77 144
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 73 19

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 current department or agency 9 95
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 11 64

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 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 152
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 144
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 19

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 6 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 152
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 10 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 144
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 19

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 152
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 19

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 7 95
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 64
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 19
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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 8 92 532
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 714
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 88 131
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 100 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 7 93 412
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 92 843
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 118

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 45 44
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 78
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 16
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 65

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 74 44
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 89 78
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 85 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 77 65
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 93 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 16

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 44
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 16
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 65
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 19 44
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 16
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 18 27

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 16

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 78
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 65
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13