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

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 current department or agency 51 40 4 1 3 1 0 92 4 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 34 9 4 1 1 0 86 5 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 49 34 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 57 30 5 3 3 2 0 89 7 61
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 57 24 11 2 2 5 0 85 4 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 30 10 5 2 4 1 83 7 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 28 14 5 2 1 0 79 7 177
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 51 35 9 3 2 0 0 86 5 57

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 74 17 2 1 5 0 0 91 6 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 56 34 1 7 1 0 0 90 8 153
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 34 5 4 4 0 0 86 9 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 71 19 2 2 7 0 0 90 8 60
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 70 23 2 2 4 0 0 93 5 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 57 29 7 5 2 1 0 86 7 193
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 58 30 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 177
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 67 30 2 0 1 0 0 97 1 57

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 60 31 6 2 1 0 0 90 4 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 37 5 5 3 0 1 86 8 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 45 37 8 6 5 0 0 81 10 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 47 38 3 7 5 0 0 85 11 60
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 23 8 15 3 0 0 74 18 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 34 17 8 4 0 0 71 12 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 37 11 7 2 0 0 80 10 177
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 54 33 5 5 2 0 0 88 7 57

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 48 39 6 5 1 1 0 87 6 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 46 11 5 4 1 0 80 9 153
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 40 12 10 5 0 0 73 15 207
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 33 49 7 8 3 0 0 82 11 61

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 73 13 6 4 1 3 0 88 5 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 59 28 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 54 32 6 5 3 0 0 86 9 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 69 19 5 1 3 0 2 90 5 60
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 68 22 2 0 5 2 2 93 5 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 29 9 8 5 1 0 79 12 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 51 33 7 6 1 1 0 85 7 177
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 63 23 5 5 4 0 0 86 9 57

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 73 20 3 3 2 0 0 92 5 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 38 5 6 3 0 0 87 8 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 49 37 4 4 5 0 0 86 9 207
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 34 2 2 6 0 0 90 8 61
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 55 34 7 3 2 0 0 88 5 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 46 32 10 10 2 0 0 78 12 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 49 29 12 8 2 0 0 78 10 177
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 65 29 2 2 3 0 0 93 5 57

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 74 18 6 1 1 0 0 91 3 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 54 36 2 3 3 1 0 91 7 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 57 31 5 4 3 0 0 88 7 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 60 32 5 0 3 0 0 92 3 61
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 57 25 13 3 2 0 0 82 5 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 33 14 6 2 0 0 78 8 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 31 8 4 1 0 0 86 6 177
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 65 23 5 6 1 0 0 88 7 57
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 current department or agency 73 17 7 1 1 0 0 90 3 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 68 21 3 5 3 0 0 89 8 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 64 23 7 4 3 0 0 87 7 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 75 17 3 0 5 0 0 92 5 60

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 79 14 6 0 1 0 0 93 1 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 70 18 6 3 3 0 0 88 6 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 65 23 6 3 2 1 0 88 5 207
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 77 15 2 2 3 1 0 93 5 60

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 67 23 4 1 5 0 0 90 6 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 36 6 7 5 1 1 81 13 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 28 11 9 5 0 0 74 14 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 53 30 9 2 6 0 0 83 8 60

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 62 23 9 5 1 0 0 85 6 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 40 4 3 1 0 0 92 4 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 34 6 5 2 0 0 86 8 208
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 64 27 3 3 3 0 0 90 7 60

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 15 47 30 4 4 0 0 62 7 79
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 22 50 15 8 0 0 27 23 153
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 19 52 17 7 0 0 23 24 204
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 34 43 15 3 0 0 39 18 59

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 1 6 31 35 26 0 0 61 8 82
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 16 45 22 10 0 0 32 23 153
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 17 40 28 7 0 1 35 24 204
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 2 16 48 29 5 0 0 34 18 61
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 current department or agency 9 91 79
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 18 82 154
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 205
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 16 84 55
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 17 83 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 13 87 177

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 60 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 56 20
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 50 32
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 23

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 current department or agency 70 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 65 20
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 68 32
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 73 23

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 current department or agency 0 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 20
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 32
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 20
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 32
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 20
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 current department or agency 8 92 152
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 207
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 59
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 95 194
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 96 176

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 current department or agency 61 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 80 10

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 current department or agency 0 12
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 10

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

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

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 13