2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Shared Services Canada 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

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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 current department or agency 48 31 8 4 2 6 0 85 6 584
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 31 17 5 4 9 1 71 10 2074
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 30 21 9 6 3 2 62 16 86
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 43 10 6 4 5 0 78 11 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 34 31 17 3 4 10 1 73 8 1617
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 32 19 3 3 9 1 72 7 2074
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 27 33 22 3 4 10 0 68 7 302
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 34 21 5 5 9 1 67 11 128

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 49 37 6 4 3 0 0 87 7 586
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 38 15 14 8 0 0 63 22 2072
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 33 16 15 13 0 0 56 28 86
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 37 17 12 6 0 0 65 19 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 35 13 7 4 1 0 76 11 1615
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 38 16 7 5 1 0 72 12 2075
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 37 15 8 5 1 1 71 13 301
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 27 41 19 5 5 3 0 70 10 128

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 42 34 14 5 4 0 0 77 9 586
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 35 16 13 11 0 0 59 24 2070
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 27 16 23 16 0 1 44 40 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 19 46 19 8 8 0 0 65 17 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 28 36 16 10 10 0 0 64 20 1615
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 23 36 17 12 11 0 0 59 23 2074
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 30 21 11 11 0 0 56 23 302
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 35 21 13 7 0 2 59 20 128

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 37 34 15 6 5 2 0 73 11 586
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 19 35 17 16 12 1 0 54 29 2073
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 13 17 28 20 21 1 0 30 42 86
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 19 31 23 17 8 2 0 51 25 47

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 50 31 9 6 4 0 1 81 10 587
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 35 13 9 6 0 0 71 16 2072
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 28 31 15 13 14 0 0 59 26 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 32 25 19 8 14 0 2 58 23 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 39 32 13 8 6 1 1 72 15 1614
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 35 14 9 6 0 1 70 16 2075
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 38 17 7 7 1 0 68 14 303
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 35 16 6 12 1 2 65 18 128

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 39 34 12 8 6 0 0 73 14 588
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 27 18 18 24 0 0 40 42 2077
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 27 20 14 28 0 0 39 42 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 17 35 23 8 16 0 0 53 25 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 17 31 20 17 15 1 0 48 32 1615
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 27 21 20 19 0 0 39 40 2075
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 17 23 22 18 20 0 0 40 38 303
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 16 31 23 15 15 1 0 47 30 128

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 45 35 9 6 4 1 0 81 10 585
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 39 14 13 9 0 0 63 22 2075
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 37 12 17 9 0 0 62 26 85
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 34 35 16 8 6 0 0 69 15 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 31 39 14 10 6 0 0 70 15 1615
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 27 40 16 10 6 0 0 68 17 2075
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 27 45 14 8 6 1 0 72 14 303
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 36 44 12 6 2 0 1 80 8 128
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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 current department or agency 60 25 5 5 4 0 0 86 9 588
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 54 25 8 6 5 1 0 80 11 2072
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 41 30 9 11 9 0 0 71 20 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 51 19 10 14 6 0 0 69 21 47

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 60 27 6 4 2 1 0 88 7 587
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 53 26 9 5 5 1 0 81 10 2069
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 26 15 3 13 0 0 69 16 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 23 8 14 6 0 0 71 21 47

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 41 30 13 9 6 1 0 72 15 588
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 30 16 15 14 1 0 54 30 2071
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 15 23 26 18 17 1 0 39 35 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 28 27 17 16 10 2 0 56 27 47

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 23 29 23 11 6 7 1 57 18 587
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 15 28 29 14 10 4 0 44 25 2068
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 18 43 13 16 1 0 27 30 85
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 25 23 17 9 6 2 47 28 46

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 8 27 40 18 7 1 0 35 24 586
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 14 40 27 15 0 0 17 42 2064
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 10 41 24 17 0 0 18 41 86
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 2 20 32 25 17 2 2 23 44 46

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 6 17 38 26 12 1 1 39 23 583
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 27 38 17 5 0 0 22 40 2058
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 14 23 39 17 8 0 0 24 37 85
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 12 14 40 21 8 2 2 31 28 47
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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 current department or agency 16 84 579
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 17 83 2056
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 21 79 85
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 45
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 16 84 1615
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 87 2072
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 17 83 300
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 17 83 128

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 342
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 47 252
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 259
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 50
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 55 22

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 69 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 61 342
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 57 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 68 252
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 66 259
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 62 50
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 59 22

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 current department or agency 5 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 342
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 5 252
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 259

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 current department or agency 0 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 342
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 18
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 259
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 50
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 22

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 current department or agency 14 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 342
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 252
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 259
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 50

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 current department or agency 3 342
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 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 current department or agency 7 342
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 2 252
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 259
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 50
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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 current department or agency 7 93 582
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 2068
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 85
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 92 1616
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 93 2069
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 95 303
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 127

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 35 43
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 243
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 30 121
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 32 140
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 15
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 50 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 78 43
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 76 243
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 86 121
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 76 140
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 80 15
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 79 14

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 current department or agency 4 243
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 14
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 140
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 15

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 current department or agency 0 43
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 243
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 121
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 140
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 15
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 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 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 17 243
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 14 121
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 140

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 243
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 14
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 140

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 243
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 11 121
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 140