2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Canadian Institutes of Health Research by Question 19. What is your current employee status?

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 46 34 8 4 4 4 1 84 8 226
2017 Term 41 42 12 0 0 5 0 87 0 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 45 32 14 3 0 6 0 81 4 316
2014 Term 74 11 7 0 0 8 0 92 0 26

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 42 37 9 10 3 0 0 79 12 227
2017 Term 68 29 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 54 36 7 2 1 0 0 90 3 316
2014 Term 74 23 0 4 0 0 0 96 4 26
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 46 40 6 5 3 0 0 87 7 347
2011 Term 67 26 0 7 0 0 0 93 7 15
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 45 41 9 3 3 0 0 85 6 268
2008 Term 53 21 16 0 11 0 0 74 11 19

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 42 37 9 9 4 0 0 79 12 227
2017 Term 56 27 15 3 0 0 0 83 3 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 38 38 15 7 3 0 0 76 10 316
2014 Term 41 25 19 11 4 0 0 67 15 26

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 31 45 8 12 3 0 0 76 16 225
2017 Term 27 58 12 3 0 0 0 85 3 23

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 43 30 9 11 8 0 0 73 18 227
2017 Term 61 32 5 0 3 0 0 93 3 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 48 31 10 6 3 0 1 80 10 314
2014 Term 63 30 3 4 0 0 0 93 4 26
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 43 35 8 10 4 0 0 78 14 349
2011 Term 66 27 0 7 0 0 0 93 7 15

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 28 38 13 15 6 1 0 66 20 227
2017 Term 61 32 5 3 0 0 0 93 3 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 42 37 12 6 3 0 0 79 9 315
2014 Term 52 40 4 4 0 0 0 92 4 26
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 40 39 12 5 5 1 0 79 9 348
2011 Term 47 47 0 0 7 0 0 93 7 15
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 34 43 12 7 4 1 0 77 11 267
2008 Term 47 32 11 0 11 0 0 79 11 19

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 36 44 8 9 3 1 0 80 12 226
2017 Term 66 27 5 3 0 0 0 93 3 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 43 41 7 5 3 1 0 84 9 316
2014 Term 48 36 11 4 0 0 0 85 4 26
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 40 39 11 7 3 0 0 80 9 348
2011 Term 40 47 7 7 0 0 0 87 7 15
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 39 46 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 267
2008 Term 42 37 11 5 5 0 0 79 11 19
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 59 23 6 8 4 0 0 82 12 226
2017 Term 66 29 5 0 0 0 0 95 0 23

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 58 22 11 5 3 0 0 81 8 226
2017 Term 64 36 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 23

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 25 32 13 17 13 0 0 57 30 226
2017 Term 49 39 5 5 3 0 0 88 7 23

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 39 44 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 224
2017 Term 60 32 0 3 0 5 0 97 3 22

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 14 43 24 15 0 0 18 39 226
2017 Term 10 29 39 22 0 0 0 39 22 23

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 12 23 41 14 9 1 0 23 35 221
2017 Term 0 12 34 34 19 0 0 54 12 23
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 11 89 227
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 16 84 314

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 63 26
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 53 50

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 69 26
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 58 50

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 26
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 50

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 26
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 50

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 26
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 6 94 226
2017 Term 0 100 23
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 5 95 315

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 66 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 14