2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for National Research Council 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 57 27 9 3 1 3 0 87 4 379
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 31 13 6 2 2 0 78 8 507
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 39 14 7 2 2 0 77 9 555
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 36 12 5 1 1 0 82 6 325

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 57 31 5 3 2 0 0 89 6 380
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 36 9 9 3 0 0 79 12 505
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 43 9 9 4 0 0 77 14 556
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 40 11 9 4 0 0 75 13 326

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 49 29 12 6 4 0 0 78 10 376
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 37 14 8 4 0 0 74 12 504
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 37 15 12 6 0 1 67 18 557
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 36 15 9 7 0 0 69 16 327

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 33 37 16 9 4 2 0 71 13 379
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 41 14 14 6 1 0 66 20 504
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 38 19 16 8 1 1 57 24 554
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 43 15 14 7 1 0 63 22 327

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 49 31 9 6 3 1 1 81 10 378
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 34 12 11 5 0 0 73 16 507
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 39 14 11 5 0 1 71 15 555
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 34 19 8 6 0 1 67 14 327

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 43 38 9 8 2 1 0 82 9 379
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 43 12 11 6 0 0 72 16 507
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 38 17 14 9 0 0 59 23 558
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 42 15 14 8 0 0 63 21 327

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 55 30 7 6 2 1 0 85 8 379
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 39 9 6 2 0 0 84 8 506
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 42 12 7 2 0 0 79 9 556
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 46 6 8 3 0 0 83 11 327
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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 65 21 5 4 3 1 1 87 8 380
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 27 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 506
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 26 7 8 8 0 0 77 16 558
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 29 12 5 5 0 0 78 11 327

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 65 21 7 4 3 1 0 86 7 379
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 25 12 5 5 0 0 78 10 506
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 27 11 6 6 1 0 76 13 558
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 30 13 6 5 1 0 76 11 326

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 45 35 7 8 4 1 0 81 12 380
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 33 13 16 9 0 0 62 25 504
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 32 14 15 13 1 0 58 28 558
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 35 18 13 8 0 0 61 21 327

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 16 27 30 14 5 8 0 47 20 380
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 24 31 18 12 3 0 36 32 505
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 24 28 24 14 2 0 33 39 557
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 27 34 18 9 3 0 36 29 326

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 8 25 44 17 5 1 0 33 22 378
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 14 48 24 11 0 0 18 34 502
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 13 42 33 10 1 0 14 43 552
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 1 14 44 29 11 0 0 15 41 325

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 12 39 28 15 1 1 43 17 380
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 20 45 23 6 0 0 28 26 505
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 22 46 18 6 0 1 24 29 550
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 26 45 19 5 0 0 24 32 324
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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 9 91 376
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 506
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 552
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 324

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 43 34
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 72
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 83
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 41

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 the federal public service 48 34
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 59 72
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 83
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 72 41

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 34
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 72
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 83
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 41

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 83

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 83
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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 3 97 376
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 94 507
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 553
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 324

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 31
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 50
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 20

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 the federal public service 60 13
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 76 31
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 90 50

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 the federal public service 0 31
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 20

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 13
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 31
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 50
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 20

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 13