2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Canadian Institutes of Health Research 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 37 41 17 3 3 0 0 78 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 36 10 3 4 3 0 82 8 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 31 4 7 3 6 1 85 10 88
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 65 28 0 0 0 7 0 100 0 18
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 24 4 4 0 9 0 91 5 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 28 12 2 0 8 0 85 2 176
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 38 18 2 0 4 0 80 2 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 33 14 4 0 0 0 82 4 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 the federal public service 61 33 3 3 0 0 0 94 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 41 8 8 3 0 0 81 11 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 30 10 14 3 0 0 73 17 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 45 13 0 0 0 0 87 0 18
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 75 21 0 4 0 0 0 96 4 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 34 6 1 1 0 0 92 2 176
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 39 6 4 1 0 0 89 5 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 36 11 0 0 0 0 89 0 28
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 65 27 7 1 0 0 0 92 1 71
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 45 4 5 2 1 0 89 7 192
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 37 3 9 4 0 0 84 13 69
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 45 14 3 3 0 0 79 7 29
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 62 31 2 1 4 0 0 93 5 81
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 43 12 3 1 0 0 83 4 138
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 45 7 2 7 0 0 83 10 42
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 17 3 3 0 0 76 7 29

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 44 39 11 6 0 0 0 83 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 40 5 11 4 0 0 81 15 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 32 13 7 5 0 0 76 12 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 27 17 5 0 0 0 78 5 18
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 12 16 4 4 0 0 75 8 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 39 15 6 3 0 1 75 10 176
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 37 13 11 2 0 0 74 13 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 46 11 4 0 0 0 86 4 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 the federal public service 27 59 8 3 3 0 0 86 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 42 8 15 2 0 0 75 17 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 50 11 9 5 0 0 75 14 87
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 30 3 18 0 0 0 78 18 18

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 56 29 9 2 4 0 0 85 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 30 10 8 7 0 0 75 15 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 33 8 15 10 0 0 67 25 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 68 15 7 10 0 0 0 83 10 18
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 71 17 8 4 0 0 0 88 4 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 29 8 8 3 0 2 80 12 174
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 37 12 4 3 0 0 81 6 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 25 7 7 4 0 0 82 11 28
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 27 10 7 1 0 0 82 8 71
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 36 7 9 6 0 1 79 15 193
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 39 9 11 6 0 0 75 16 69
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 30 7 13 0 0 0 80 13 30

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 46 35 17 3 0 0 0 80 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 38 9 19 3 1 0 69 22 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 34 16 12 10 1 0 62 22 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 53 3 18 0 0 0 78 18 18
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 24 5 4 0 0 0 91 4 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 36 14 5 2 0 0 79 7 175
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 41 9 8 4 1 0 78 12 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 40 7 4 0 0 0 89 4 28
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 39 10 3 3 0 0 85 6 71
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 35 12 6 3 1 0 78 9 193
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 46 9 3 7 0 0 81 10 69
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 50 10 0 7 0 0 83 7 30
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 36 10 4 4 0 0 83 8 80
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 48 11 7 2 1 0 80 9 138
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 40 12 7 10 0 0 71 17 42
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 31 24 10 7 0 0 59 17 29

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 53 32 12 3 0 0 0 85 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 6 10 4 2 0 80 14 103
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 46 8 7 4 0 0 80 11 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 47 0 12 0 0 0 88 12 18
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 24 8 5 0 0 0 87 5 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 46 7 5 3 1 0 85 8 176
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 38 8 8 4 0 0 80 11 107
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 32 4 4 0 4 0 93 4 28
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 42 13 8 1 0 0 78 10 71
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 37 10 7 2 1 0 80 9 192
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 42 11 4 4 0 0 80 9 69
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 40 7 3 3 0 0 87 7 30
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 40 11 5 1 0 0 83 6 80
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 51 7 3 2 0 0 88 5 138
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 33 5 12 2 0 0 81 14 42
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 45 7 3 3 0 0 86 7 29
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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 64 21 12 3 0 0 0 85 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 23 4 5 7 0 0 84 12 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 24 7 11 2 0 0 80 13 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 68 25 3 3 0 0 0 93 3 18

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 68 26 0 6 0 0 0 94 6 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 19 7 4 7 0 0 83 10 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 26 17 6 1 0 0 77 7 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 40 14 0 0 0 0 86 0 18

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 34 47 6 14 0 0 0 80 14 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 29 13 15 15 0 0 56 31 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 29 12 18 15 0 0 54 34 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 42 18 10 7 0 0 65 17 18

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 47 45 2 3 0 3 0 95 3 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 39 7 7 5 0 0 81 12 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 43 12 5 3 0 0 80 8 86
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 55 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 18

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 9 27 38 21 5 0 0 37 26 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 12 44 26 14 0 0 16 40 103
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 12 47 23 15 0 0 14 38 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 27 33 14 23 0 0 30 37 18

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 5 19 30 26 21 0 0 46 24 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 23 39 18 7 1 1 25 35 102
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 19 46 13 8 0 0 21 33 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 34 48 0 11 0 0 11 41 16
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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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 88 104
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 89
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 84 176
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 16 84 107

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 64 13
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 27
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 17

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 27

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 13
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 11
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 17

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 11
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 17

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 the federal public service 0 13
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 11
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 17

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 13
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 11
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 27
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 17
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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 0 100 37
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 94 103
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 89
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 100 18
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 95 175