2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 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

Top of Page

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 58 36 0 0 3 3 0 97 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 47 34 11 4 3 2 0 82 7 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 35 9 4 2 0 0 85 5 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 33 6 5 2 1 0 88 7 104
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 38 8 0 4 11 0 87 4 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 31 9 2 1 3 0 88 3 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 28 12 6 2 2 0 79 9 220
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 27 10 3 2 3 1 84 6 88

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 77 20 0 0 3 0 0 97 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 32 3 9 2 0 0 87 10 115
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 33 4 3 4 0 0 89 8 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 65 24 3 4 5 0 0 88 9 103
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 29 0 8 4 0 0 88 12 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 27 7 3 2 0 0 88 5 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 29 6 4 2 0 0 87 7 219
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 67 29 2 1 1 0 0 96 2 88
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 78 20 2 0 0 0 0 98 0 50
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 33 9 2 1 0 0 88 3 253
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 41 6 5 2 0 0 87 7 189
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 30 7 4 3 0 0 86 7 98
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 28 6 0 1 2 0 93 1 97
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 38 5 4 3 0 0 89 7 260
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 43 5 4 4 0 0 87 8 156
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 31 8 7 3 0 0 82 10 101

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 64 30 3 3 0 0 0 94 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 40 7 5 3 0 1 85 8 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 33 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 41 5 6 5 0 0 84 12 103
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 19 13 29 0 0 0 58 29 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 35 16 7 4 0 0 73 11 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 33 11 10 4 0 0 76 13 220
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 35 7 3 2 0 0 88 5 88

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 54 32 8 6 0 0 0 86 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 50 11 5 5 2 0 78 11 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 39 11 8 4 0 0 76 13 247
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 48 7 9 3 1 0 81 12 103

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 73 19 0 0 3 6 0 97 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 28 11 4 2 0 0 83 6 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 58 29 5 5 3 0 0 87 8 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 68 21 5 3 3 0 1 89 6 103
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 21 4 4 8 0 0 84 12 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 22 9 7 5 1 0 79 12 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 35 7 6 2 0 0 85 8 220
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 29 4 7 2 0 1 86 9 88
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 30 12 0 0 0 2 88 0 50
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 31 6 4 1 0 0 88 5 252
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 37 6 8 1 0 0 86 8 189
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 38 5 5 3 0 0 87 8 99

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 75 19 3 3 0 0 0 94 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 38 4 5 4 0 0 87 9 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 35 4 4 4 0 0 88 8 247
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 33 3 3 6 0 0 88 10 104
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 43 12 4 4 0 0 81 8 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 29 12 7 1 0 0 80 8 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 30 10 11 2 0 0 77 13 220
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 63 29 2 3 2 0 0 92 5 88
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 69 24 4 0 4 0 0 92 4 51
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 34 9 4 2 0 0 86 5 249
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 29 14 7 3 0 0 76 10 189
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 39 8 3 2 0 0 87 5 98
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 28 5 2 2 0 0 91 4 97
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 29 8 7 3 0 0 82 10 259
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 37 4 9 4 0 0 83 13 155
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 31 5 10 1 0 0 84 11 101

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 80 11 6 3 0 0 0 92 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 31 3 4 5 0 0 89 8 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 58 31 4 4 2 0 0 90 6 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 34 5 0 5 0 0 91 5 104
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 36 17 8 4 0 0 71 12 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 34 15 5 0 0 0 79 5 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 29 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 220
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 64 26 6 3 1 0 0 90 4 88
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 68 22 8 2 0 0 0 90 2 50
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 37 4 2 1 0 0 93 3 253
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 39 5 4 3 0 0 88 6 190
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 59 33 3 2 3 0 0 92 5 98
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 39 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 97
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 36 3 4 2 0 0 91 6 259
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 37 4 3 2 0 0 92 4 156
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 58 33 6 3 0 0 0 91 3 101
Top of Page

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 75 13 5 3 3 0 0 89 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 66 23 3 5 2 0 0 90 7 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 23 7 4 3 0 0 87 7 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 76 16 5 1 3 0 0 92 4 103

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 83 6 8 0 3 0 0 89 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 71 18 5 2 3 0 0 90 5 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 23 6 3 2 1 0 88 6 247
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 78 15 3 2 2 1 0 93 4 103

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 72 22 3 0 3 0 0 95 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 36 8 7 6 1 0 79 13 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 30 10 6 5 0 0 78 12 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 26 6 8 6 0 1 81 13 103

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 59 25 11 6 0 0 0 84 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 47 42 6 4 1 0 0 89 5 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 55 33 6 4 2 0 0 88 7 248
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 64 26 3 4 3 0 0 91 7 103

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 22 58 20 0 0 0 0 80 0 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 23 49 12 8 0 0 31 20 115
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 22 50 16 8 0 0 26 24 242
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 29 46 17 4 0 0 33 21 102

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 0 6 19 40 35 0 0 75 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 17 42 21 14 0 0 35 23 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 14 41 29 8 0 0 38 21 245
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 17 48 27 4 0 0 31 21 102
Top of Page

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 0 100 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 79 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 242
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 102
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 31 69 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 85 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 220

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 24
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 66 26
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 23
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 31

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 66 24
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 26
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 65 23
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 77 31

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 24
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 26
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 23
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 31

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 the federal public service 19 26

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 0 24
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 26
Top of Page

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 91 116
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 246
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 95 101
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 96 151
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 95 219

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 68 16

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 62 16
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 72 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16