2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Shared Services Canada 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 53 32 5 2 1 5 1 91 4 206
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 31 14 6 3 8 0 74 10 694
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 31 17 5 5 8 1 71 11 1149
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 31 16 4 4 10 0 73 9 738
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 32 12 1 1 5 0 86 1 155
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 31 17 3 4 9 1 73 8 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 33 20 4 3 10 1 69 9 1635
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 32 18 2 3 11 1 73 7 1058

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 60 32 3 3 1 0 0 93 4 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 37 14 10 6 0 0 70 16 695
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 37 16 14 8 0 0 62 22 1149
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 39 12 12 9 0 0 66 22 735
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 72 20 5 2 0 1 0 93 2 155
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 37 13 6 5 1 0 77 10 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 16 8 6 1 0 70 14 1635
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 17 7 5 1 0 71 12 1056

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 47 34 14 3 1 1 0 82 4 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 34 17 9 8 0 0 66 17 693
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 35 16 14 11 0 0 59 25 1151
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 36 15 14 11 0 0 60 25 734
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 38 17 3 1 0 1 80 4 155
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 37 15 12 9 0 0 63 21 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 34 19 12 12 0 0 57 24 1635
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 37 17 11 10 0 0 62 21 1056

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 41 31 17 6 2 2 1 74 9 206
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 36 16 12 9 1 0 62 22 697
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 34 17 17 12 1 0 53 29 1150
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 33 17 14 13 2 0 55 28 736

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 53 29 10 4 2 0 2 84 6 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 33 11 8 5 0 0 75 14 695
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 34 12 10 7 0 0 71 17 1150
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 14 8 6 0 1 71 15 736
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 25 12 5 1 2 1 82 6 155
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 34 14 8 6 0 1 72 14 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 35 15 10 7 0 1 68 17 1636
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 14 8 7 1 0 71 15 1056

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 49 34 11 5 1 0 0 83 6 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 29 18 17 16 0 0 50 33 697
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 28 17 17 24 0 0 42 41 1151
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 28 18 17 23 0 0 42 40 739
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 40 8 8 2 1 0 82 10 154
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 31 23 18 15 0 0 45 33 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 26 21 20 21 1 0 38 41 1637
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 27 20 20 17 0 0 42 37 1057

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 56 31 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 206
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 40 13 12 5 0 0 71 16 697
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 40 12 13 10 0 0 64 24 1148
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 34 17 12 10 0 0 62 22 737
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 35 10 3 1 0 0 85 4 155
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 41 15 8 5 0 0 71 14 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 41 16 11 6 0 0 66 18 1636
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 40 14 10 6 0 0 70 16 1057
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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 66 23 4 5 2 0 0 89 7 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 23 8 5 6 0 0 81 11 694
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 27 8 6 6 0 0 80 12 1151
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 27 8 6 5 1 0 81 11 737

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 67 22 6 2 2 1 0 90 4 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 24 8 5 4 0 0 82 10 692
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 28 9 5 5 1 0 81 10 1151
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 27 8 5 6 1 0 81 11 735

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 51 28 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 31 14 14 11 1 0 61 26 693
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 29 17 15 15 1 0 53 30 1152
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 30 16 16 13 2 0 54 29 736

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 28 25 26 7 6 8 1 57 15 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 26 29 14 9 4 0 45 24 694
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 27 29 14 11 4 0 43 26 1149
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 33 27 15 7 5 0 49 23 731

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 12 35 40 10 2 1 0 48 12 208
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 19 43 22 11 0 0 24 33 692
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 14 41 26 16 0 0 17 42 1147
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 13 38 29 16 1 0 16 46 731

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 2 10 34 33 19 1 1 53 12 206
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 23 37 22 8 0 1 30 33 691
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 26 40 15 5 0 1 21 39 1140
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 29 37 17 5 1 0 22 41 732
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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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 6 94 204
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 688
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 1138
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 731
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 7 93 154
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 1270
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 1633
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 1055

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 14
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 119
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 71 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 181
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 252
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 138

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 63 119
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 62 216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 68 181
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 69 252
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 138

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 14
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 181
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 252
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 138

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 14
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 119
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 252
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 138

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 14
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 18 119
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 112
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 181
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 252
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 138

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 14
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 119
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 252

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 6 119
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 216
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 181
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 252
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 138
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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 5 95 206
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 91 693
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 1146
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 733
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 96 155
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 1269
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 1633
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 1054

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 10
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 58
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 79
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 91
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 114
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 76

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 78 58
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 77 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 76 79
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 80 91
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 81 114
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 79 76

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 156

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 58
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 79
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 91
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 114
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 76

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 58
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 16 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 79
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 114
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 76

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 79
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 91

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 58
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 79
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 91
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 114
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 76