2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Canadian Human Rights Commission 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 33 0 2 2 0 0 97 3 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 73 15 2 5 3 2 0 90 9 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 26 5 4 4 0 0 87 9 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 74 21 3 2 0 1 0 96 2 82
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 69 22 6 0 2 2 0 92 2 54
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 77 16 3 3 0 0 0 94 3 31

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 73 24 0 2 2 0 0 97 3 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 26 2 5 3 0 0 90 8 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 66 26 0 4 0 4 0 96 4 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 70 18 7 3 1 1 0 89 4 82
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 28 4 2 2 0 0 92 4 54
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 77 20 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 31
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 85 10 0 0 0 5 0 100 0 19
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 32 3 5 0 0 0 92 5 77
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 35 5 3 0 0 0 92 3 35
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 62 30 6 0 2 0 0 92 2 40
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 77 6 6 6 3 0 0 84 10 31
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 36 6 1 1 0 0 91 3 67
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 48 7 0 4 0 0 89 4 27
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 38 0 3 3 0 0 94 6 32

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 40 11 5 2 0 0 82 7 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 58 27 7 3 5 0 0 85 8 58
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 36 4 5 4 4 0 86 9 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 26 11 6 5 0 0 78 12 82
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 31 13 6 4 0 0 76 10 54
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 69 14 6 3 3 5 0 86 7 31

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 41 11 5 2 0 0 82 7 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 36 12 3 3 2 0 81 7 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 26 32 0 0 9 0 65 0 21

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 24 19 4 0 0 2 77 4 45
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 61 18 13 2 5 0 0 80 7 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 40 0 4 0 4 0 96 4 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 66 22 6 4 1 1 0 89 5 82
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 60 29 2 4 6 0 0 88 10 54
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 70 16 3 10 0 0 0 86 10 31
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 49 0 0 0 5 0 100 0 19
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 27 4 10 1 0 1 84 12 77
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 72 15 3 5 3 3 0 89 8 35
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 31 5 7 0 0 0 88 7 41

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 47 2 5 4 0 0 90 9 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 39 7 3 5 0 0 85 8 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 49 4 0 4 4 0 91 4 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 28 5 6 1 1 0 87 8 82
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 59 26 10 6 0 0 0 85 6 54
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 73 20 3 3 0 0 0 94 3 31
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 79 10 6 0 0 5 0 93 0 19
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 25 9 5 0 0 0 86 5 77
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 32 13 9 3 0 0 76 12 35
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 27 8 2 2 0 0 87 5 41
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 22 6 6 3 3 0 84 10 32
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 45 9 4 0 0 0 87 4 67
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 48 19 7 4 0 0 70 11 27
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 38 6 3 6 0 0 84 9 32

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 34 3 3 2 0 0 92 5 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 58 34 3 3 2 0 0 92 5 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 27 5 0 4 5 0 91 5 20
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 25 11 7 1 0 0 81 8 82
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 63 31 3 2 0 0 0 95 2 54
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 77 20 0 0 3 0 0 97 3 31
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 21 0 6 0 5 0 93 7 19
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 36 2 4 1 0 0 93 5 78
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 31 16 3 0 0 0 81 3 35
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 68 22 7 2 0 0 0 90 2 41
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 25 6 3 3 0 0 88 6 32
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 38 3 1 1 0 0 94 3 68
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 48 4 7 0 0 0 89 7 27
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 38 6 3 0 0 0 91 3 32
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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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 79 12 7 2 0 0 0 91 2 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 22 3 3 7 0 0 86 10 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 72 14 5 4 5 0 0 86 9 19

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 72 22 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 73 13 7 2 5 0 0 86 7 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 25 9 4 0 0 0 86 4 19

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 26 16 9 3 0 0 72 12 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 32 10 12 3 0 0 75 15 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 32 5 19 0 0 0 76 19 19

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 33 5 7 5 2 0 82 13 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 42 12 3 3 2 0 81 7 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 42 9 5 0 0 0 85 5 19

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 36 41 9 14 0 0 36 22 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 35 16 29 0 0 19 45 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 17 34 18 13 0 0 36 30 21

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 21 32 28 13 2 0 41 26 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 23 34 15 5 0 0 21 46 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 18 25 21 19 0 0 40 35 21
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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 11 89 46
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 59
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 65 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 81
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 54
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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 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 59
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 90 82