2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Privy Council Office by Question 22. With which of the following communities do you most closely identify in relation to your current job? (Mark one only.)

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 Communications or public affairs 46 29 11 11 0 3 0 78 11 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 79 15 0 6 0 0 0 94 6 17
2017 Security 48 42 3 4 0 4 0 94 4 27
2017 Administration and operations 44 36 12 4 2 2 0 81 6 81
2017 Human resources 47 42 11 0 0 0 0 89 0 37
2017 Financial management 35 38 11 11 5 0 0 73 16 17
2017 Information management 58 22 6 4 7 3 0 83 11 24
2017 Information technology 46 11 16 21 0 5 0 60 22 19
2017 Policy 36 42 8 8 1 4 0 81 10 149
2017 None of the above 41 38 9 9 0 3 0 81 9 39
2014 Client contact centre 21 39 32 7 0 0 0 60 7 13
2014 Communications or public affairs 49 30 17 2 0 3 0 81 2 63
2014 Access to information and privacy 53 23 10 5 0 10 0 84 5 19
2014 Security 61 16 18 3 3 0 0 77 6 42
2014 Legal services 31 42 14 4 4 4 0 76 9 21
2014 Administration and operations 52 33 10 1 1 2 1 88 2 110
2014 Human resources 42 32 10 4 0 10 2 84 4 50
2014 Financial management 48 47 0 0 0 4 0 100 0 21
2014 Information management 36 40 14 7 3 0 0 76 10 28
2014 Information technology 43 28 10 3 3 11 2 82 7 38
2014 Other services to the public 37 42 4 10 0 7 0 85 11 19
2014 None of the above 38 32 14 5 2 8 1 76 8 167

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 Communications or public affairs 54 28 4 10 4 0 0 82 13 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 68 26 6 0 0 0 0 94 0 17
2017 Security 43 46 7 0 4 0 0 89 4 27
2017 Administration and operations 52 36 7 2 2 0 0 89 4 80
2017 Human resources 58 37 3 2 0 0 0 94 2 37
2017 Financial management 33 38 11 13 5 0 0 71 18 17
2017 Information management 48 20 17 15 0 0 0 68 15 24
2017 Information technology 24 32 22 11 11 0 0 56 22 19
2017 Policy 48 38 3 8 2 0 0 87 10 149
2017 None of the above 41 24 20 8 6 0 0 65 15 39
2014 Client contact centre 30 39 24 7 0 0 0 69 7 13
2014 Communications or public affairs 71 18 5 3 0 2 0 91 3 63
2014 Access to information and privacy 69 25 0 6 0 0 0 94 6 19
2014 Security 58 32 2 5 2 0 0 91 7 42
2014 Legal services 63 19 9 0 9 0 0 82 9 21
2014 Administration and operations 60 31 6 1 2 0 0 91 3 110
2014 Human resources 60 32 6 0 0 2 0 94 0 50
2014 Financial management 62 38 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 21
2014 Information management 44 31 14 11 0 0 0 75 11 28
2014 Information technology 52 29 13 6 0 0 0 81 6 38
2014 Other services to the public 64 29 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 19
2014 None of the above 62 24 7 4 2 1 0 87 6 167

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 Communications or public affairs 60 22 7 7 4 0 0 82 11 66
2017 Access to information and privacy 51 22 11 15 0 0 0 74 15 17
2017 Security 40 47 0 3 10 0 0 87 13 27
2017 Administration and operations 47 34 9 8 3 0 0 80 11 80
2017 Human resources 52 33 12 2 0 0 0 86 2 37
2017 Financial management 28 32 11 5 23 0 0 60 29 17
2017 Information management 39 29 6 10 11 0 6 72 23 24
2017 Information technology 31 18 0 40 11 0 0 49 51 19
2017 Policy 43 35 7 10 5 0 0 78 15 149
2017 None of the above 37 30 5 19 9 0 0 67 28 39
2014 Client contact centre 30 45 26 0 0 0 0 74 0 13
2014 Communications or public affairs 51 26 7 9 7 0 0 77 16 63
2014 Access to information and privacy 40 48 6 0 6 0 0 89 6 19
2014 Security 46 45 7 0 2 0 0 91 2 42
2014 Legal services 34 52 9 0 4 0 0 86 4 21
2014 Administration and operations 34 40 13 10 2 0 1 75 12 109
2014 Human resources 34 47 10 10 0 0 0 81 10 50
2014 Financial management 42 49 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 21
2014 Information management 44 32 11 7 7 0 0 76 13 28
2014 Information technology 34 34 18 5 6 3 0 70 11 38
2014 Other services to the public 37 27 22 13 0 0 0 64 13 19
2014 None of the above 33 44 8 7 7 0 1 78 14 167

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 Communications or public affairs 42 27 15 12 2 1 0 70 15 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 46 28 6 15 0 6 0 78 16 17
2017 Security 31 46 9 7 7 0 0 77 13 26
2017 Administration and operations 36 38 10 12 3 0 0 75 15 78
2017 Human resources 46 28 15 7 0 3 0 77 8 37
2017 Financial management 33 16 27 5 18 0 0 50 23 17
2017 Information management 25 33 9 15 8 4 6 64 25 23
2017 Information technology 15 31 13 23 17 0 0 46 41 18
2017 Policy 35 40 10 7 6 1 0 76 14 149
2017 None of the above 35 32 9 6 17 0 0 67 24 39

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 Communications or public affairs 31 32 4 19 14 0 0 63 33 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 52 22 15 11 0 0 0 74 11 17
2017 Security 31 36 5 14 14 0 0 67 27 27
2017 Administration and operations 36 33 11 12 5 2 0 71 18 80
2017 Human resources 42 43 2 8 2 2 0 87 11 37
2017 Financial management 19 23 17 23 17 0 0 42 41 16
2017 Information management 42 31 22 3 3 0 0 72 6 24
2017 Information technology 24 49 11 11 5 0 0 73 16 19
2017 Policy 22 37 8 18 15 0 0 59 33 149
2017 None of the above 38 29 23 0 9 0 0 68 9 39
2014 Client contact centre 32 21 40 7 0 0 0 53 7 13
2014 Communications or public affairs 37 33 13 14 3 0 0 70 17 63
2014 Access to information and privacy 35 55 0 5 0 6 0 95 5 19
2014 Security 37 42 12 2 7 0 0 79 9 42
2014 Legal services 30 33 14 19 4 0 0 63 23 21
2014 Administration and operations 46 34 11 5 3 0 2 81 8 110
2014 Human resources 44 36 4 10 4 2 0 82 14 50
2014 Financial management 62 9 25 4 0 0 0 71 4 21
2014 Information management 36 28 18 8 11 0 0 64 18 28
2014 Information technology 26 34 18 16 0 3 3 64 17 38
2014 Other services to the public 33 36 22 4 4 0 0 69 9 19
2014 None of the above 29 37 12 15 7 0 0 66 22 167

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 Communications or public affairs 48 32 8 6 6 0 0 81 11 66
2017 Access to information and privacy 52 48 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 17
2017 Security 35 49 12 4 0 0 0 85 4 27
2017 Administration and operations 47 32 14 6 1 0 0 79 7 80
2017 Human resources 55 22 18 2 0 2 0 79 3 37
2017 Financial management 23 45 11 11 11 0 0 68 22 17
2017 Information management 44 23 23 7 3 0 0 67 10 24
2017 Information technology 24 25 11 18 22 0 0 49 40 19
2017 Policy 41 43 5 7 4 0 0 85 11 149
2017 None of the above 40 20 16 11 13 0 0 60 24 39
2014 Client contact centre 30 54 7 9 0 0 0 84 9 13
2014 Communications or public affairs 57 31 7 2 3 0 0 88 5 63
2014 Access to information and privacy 63 27 5 6 0 0 0 90 6 19
2014 Security 51 22 23 4 0 0 0 73 4 42
2014 Legal services 49 19 9 14 9 0 0 68 23 21
2014 Administration and operations 45 39 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 109
2014 Human resources 52 30 14 2 2 0 0 82 4 50
2014 Financial management 47 44 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 21
2014 Information management 39 34 18 6 3 0 0 72 10 28
2014 Information technology 34 36 11 16 3 0 0 70 19 38
2014 Other services to the public 53 29 17 0 0 0 0 83 0 19
2014 None of the above 55 27 10 6 2 0 0 82 8 167

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 Communications or public affairs 54 28 4 8 5 0 0 82 14 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 68 17 0 15 0 0 0 85 15 17
2017 Security 40 55 3 0 3 0 0 95 3 27
2017 Administration and operations 57 31 8 3 1 0 0 87 4 80
2017 Human resources 40 34 9 17 0 0 0 74 17 37
2017 Financial management 34 43 11 13 0 0 0 77 13 17
2017 Information management 35 46 9 3 7 0 0 81 10 24
2017 Information technology 35 14 29 11 11 0 0 49 22 19
2017 Policy 54 34 5 5 2 0 0 88 7 149
2017 None of the above 31 40 16 6 6 0 0 71 12 39
2014 Client contact centre 30 61 0 0 9 0 0 91 9 13
2014 Communications or public affairs 57 30 3 7 3 0 0 86 10 63
2014 Access to information and privacy 56 33 11 0 0 0 0 89 0 19
2014 Security 61 25 12 0 2 0 0 86 2 42
2014 Legal services 58 24 4 14 0 0 0 82 14 21
2014 Administration and operations 40 41 12 3 4 1 0 82 7 110
2014 Human resources 49 35 14 0 0 2 0 86 0 49
2014 Financial management 53 47 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 21
2014 Information management 46 42 3 10 0 0 0 87 10 28
2014 Information technology 50 37 3 5 5 0 0 87 11 38
2014 Other services to the public 62 25 13 0 0 0 0 87 0 19
2014 None of the above 53 33 5 4 5 0 0 86 9 167
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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 Communications or public affairs 62 14 5 5 14 0 0 76 19 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 79 21 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 17
2017 Security 64 20 7 3 7 0 0 84 10 27
2017 Administration and operations 64 21 5 5 4 1 0 85 9 81
2017 Human resources 68 8 8 10 5 0 0 76 15 37
2017 Financial management 51 22 5 11 11 0 0 73 22 17
2017 Information management 56 23 11 10 0 0 0 79 10 24
2017 Information technology 37 19 16 22 5 0 0 56 27 19
2017 Policy 58 23 5 8 5 0 1 82 14 149
2017 None of the above 58 20 11 2 8 0 0 78 11 39

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 Communications or public affairs 60 16 6 4 13 0 0 76 18 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 62 38 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 17
2017 Security 60 18 13 0 7 3 0 80 7 27
2017 Administration and operations 66 14 8 7 5 0 0 80 11 80
2017 Human resources 68 11 11 2 8 0 0 79 11 37
2017 Financial management 57 16 5 11 11 0 0 73 22 17
2017 Information management 52 42 0 6 0 0 0 94 6 24
2017 Information technology 45 11 22 16 5 0 0 56 22 19
2017 Policy 61 19 6 7 5 1 1 81 12 149
2017 None of the above 51 27 5 6 8 3 0 80 15 39

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 Communications or public affairs 43 26 4 15 12 0 0 69 27 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 62 32 6 0 0 0 0 94 0 17
2017 Security 35 32 13 10 7 3 0 69 18 27
2017 Administration and operations 36 28 14 16 6 0 0 64 22 80
2017 Human resources 30 32 13 16 6 2 0 64 22 37
2017 Financial management 0 28 32 16 23 0 0 28 40 17
2017 Information management 23 43 14 11 3 0 6 71 14 24
2017 Information technology 19 18 13 22 28 0 0 38 50 19
2017 Policy 40 35 9 9 7 0 0 75 16 148
2017 None of the above 29 28 16 12 16 0 0 57 28 39

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 Communications or public affairs 39 34 11 10 6 0 0 73 16 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 74 17 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 17
2017 Security 37 25 17 14 4 4 0 65 18 27
2017 Administration and operations 36 36 15 8 2 2 0 74 11 80
2017 Human resources 55 35 8 2 0 0 0 89 2 37
2017 Financial management 23 38 16 0 23 0 0 61 23 17
2017 Information management 23 46 22 6 4 0 0 68 10 24
2017 Information technology 14 39 14 5 16 11 0 60 25 19
2017 Policy 39 38 16 2 4 1 0 78 6 149
2017 None of the above 35 26 20 8 6 4 0 64 15 39

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 Communications or public affairs 0 16 41 33 8 1 0 16 42 65
2017 Access to information and privacy 0 31 47 17 6 0 0 31 22 17
2017 Security 0 4 54 29 10 3 0 4 40 27
2017 Administration and operations 7 24 40 18 9 0 1 32 27 80
2017 Human resources 0 6 44 34 16 0 0 6 50 37
2017 Financial management 0 6 40 37 17 0 0 6 54 16
2017 Information management 9 37 22 24 8 0 0 46 32 24
2017 Information technology 0 6 44 27 23 0 0 6 50 18
2017 Policy 1 12 38 36 13 0 0 13 49 146
2017 None of the above 9 16 28 33 10 0 3 26 45 37

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 Communications or public affairs 3 23 49 19 6 0 0 25 26 67
2017 Access to information and privacy 6 17 53 11 14 0 0 25 22 17
2017 Security 14 23 52 10 0 0 0 10 37 26
2017 Administration and operations 8 21 38 26 7 0 1 33 29 81
2017 Human resources 14 24 39 20 0 3 0 20 39 37
2017 Financial management 30 16 43 0 10 0 0 10 47 17
2017 Information management 7 29 36 23 6 0 0 28 35 24
2017 Information technology 12 48 9 31 0 0 0 31 60 18
2017 Policy 11 34 37 14 4 0 0 18 45 146
2017 None of the above 17 24 39 12 2 0 7 15 44 37
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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 Communications or public affairs 21 79 66
2017 Administration and operations 22 78 79
2017 Human resources 16 84 37
2017 Policy 15 85 148
2017 None of the above 18 82 38
2014 Communications or public affairs 8 92 63
2014 Security 14 86 40
2014 Administration and operations 13 87 110
2014 Human resources 12 88 50
2014 Information management 18 82 28
2014 Information technology 22 78 37
2014 None of the above 14 86 166

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 59 16
2017 Policy 46 22
2014 None of the above 60 22

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 35 16
2017 Policy 69 22
2014 Administration and operations 86 14
2014 None of the above 54 22

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Communications or public affairs 0 14
2017 Administration and operations 0 16
2017 Policy 0 22

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 Communications or public affairs 0 14
2017 Administration and operations 0 16
2017 Policy 0 22
2014 Administration and operations 0 14
2014 None of the above 0 22

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Communications or public affairs 0 14
2017 Policy 0 22

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Communications or public affairs 0 14
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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 Communications or public affairs 14 86 66
2017 Administration and operations 15 85 79
2014 Security 0 100 41
2014 Administration and operations 5 95 110
2014 Other services to the public 0 100 19
2014 None of the above 4 96 167

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 46 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 46 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 0 11

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 Administration and operations 0 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 0 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and operations 0 11