2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for National Research Council Canada by Question 29. What is your age group?

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 Age - 24 years and under 68 22 8 2 0 0 0 89 2 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 54 19 15 5 1 4 2 78 6 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 51 28 14 5 1 1 1 80 6 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 44 30 15 7 2 2 1 75 9 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 48 34 12 4 1 1 0 83 5 241
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 42 39 9 5 2 3 0 84 7 302
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 43 34 12 6 3 3 0 79 9 343
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 41 37 12 7 1 1 0 79 9 250
2017 Age - 60 years and over 46 36 13 3 1 1 1 83 4 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 76 20 2 2 0 0 0 96 2 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 53 35 6 4 1 0 1 88 6 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 49 34 9 7 1 0 0 83 8 148
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 44 40 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 41 39 9 7 4 0 0 80 11 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 43 40 7 6 3 0 0 83 10 302
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 36 41 9 9 5 0 0 77 14 343
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 34 37 13 11 5 0 0 71 16 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 47 32 6 12 1 0 1 80 14 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 53 31 9 2 4 0 0 84 6 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 46 36 10 6 1 0 0 83 7 81
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 44 32 15 6 3 0 0 76 9 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 39 38 12 8 3 0 1 78 11 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 32 39 15 8 6 0 0 72 14 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 36 36 11 11 4 0 1 73 16 301
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 37 31 16 11 6 0 0 68 17 344
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 28 32 18 12 10 0 0 61 22 250
2017 Age - 60 years and over 36 41 11 7 4 0 1 78 11 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 46 31 5 7 6 0 4 81 14 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 32 37 16 13 2 0 0 69 15 83
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 32 37 14 11 5 1 0 70 16 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 25 45 13 11 4 2 0 71 15 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 23 40 18 11 7 1 0 64 18 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 20 41 16 16 5 0 0 62 22 301
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 21 37 19 15 6 1 0 59 21 343
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 18 37 17 14 11 2 0 57 26 249
2017 Age - 60 years and over 20 47 14 10 6 2 1 69 17 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 60 22 7 6 0 0 4 86 7 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 47 29 10 5 7 0 1 77 13 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 43 35 9 12 1 0 1 78 13 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 41 36 11 7 4 1 0 77 11 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 39 33 12 9 7 0 0 72 15 243
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 37 40 9 9 6 0 0 77 15 301
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 34 38 12 10 4 1 0 73 15 342
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 30 34 20 9 6 0 1 64 15 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 34 31 21 10 3 1 1 66 13 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 47 49 2 2 0 0 0 96 2 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 33 42 11 14 0 0 0 75 14 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 35 43 9 7 4 1 0 79 12 148
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 28 43 13 11 3 0 0 72 14 218
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 25 48 13 11 3 0 0 73 15 243
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 29 39 14 11 7 0 0 68 18 303
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 26 37 17 13 6 0 0 64 19 344
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 24 32 17 15 12 0 0 56 27 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 28 40 12 10 8 0 1 69 18 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 69 22 4 5 0 0 0 91 5 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 45 42 8 5 1 0 0 86 6 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 53 32 7 6 0 1 0 86 7 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 43 39 10 6 1 0 0 82 7 218
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 40 43 7 8 1 0 0 84 9 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 45 37 10 5 3 0 0 82 9 301
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 37 44 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 344
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 35 43 9 10 3 0 0 78 14 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 49 36 7 6 2 0 0 85 7 141
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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 Age - 24 years and under 80 7 2 4 2 0 4 91 7 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 62 22 8 5 2 0 0 85 8 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 61 23 6 8 2 0 0 84 10 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 59 22 9 6 4 0 0 81 9 218
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 52 27 8 9 4 0 0 80 13 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 53 28 8 4 6 1 0 82 10 303
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 51 26 9 7 7 1 0 77 15 344
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 44 27 12 7 8 0 0 72 16 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 52 31 8 4 5 0 0 83 9 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 87 6 4 0 2 0 0 94 2 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 67 23 3 1 6 0 0 90 7 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 60 24 7 6 3 0 0 84 9 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 60 21 9 6 4 1 0 81 10 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 52 27 12 6 4 0 0 79 10 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 51 26 12 4 5 1 0 79 9 303
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 49 25 12 6 7 1 0 75 12 344
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 44 30 11 7 7 0 0 75 14 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 47 32 13 5 3 0 0 79 8 141

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 Age - 24 years and under 61 22 9 4 4 0 0 83 8 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 33 38 11 8 8 0 2 72 17 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 43 29 9 14 4 1 0 72 18 147
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 28 38 10 14 9 0 0 67 23 218
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 30 36 12 13 9 0 0 65 22 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 31 36 12 12 8 1 0 67 21 303
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 29 28 15 17 10 1 0 58 27 344
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 27 31 16 12 13 0 0 59 26 250
2017 Age - 60 years and over 29 43 12 14 3 0 0 71 17 142

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 Age - 24 years and under 16 31 20 24 2 7 0 50 29 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 15 14 38 11 14 6 2 31 28 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 10 28 30 21 6 5 0 40 28 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 10 25 27 24 10 5 0 36 35 218
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 10 23 34 18 12 2 0 34 31 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 11 23 31 17 13 5 0 35 32 302
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 9 27 30 21 10 2 0 37 32 343
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 8 27 31 17 13 3 0 37 31 251
2017 Age - 60 years and over 13 32 25 18 5 6 1 49 25 141

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 Age - 24 years and under 18 37 26 20 0 0 0 54 20 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 8 20 47 18 7 0 0 27 26 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 5 26 45 21 4 0 0 30 25 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 3 14 48 22 11 2 0 18 34 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 1 18 48 24 9 0 0 19 33 242
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 3 16 39 28 13 0 0 20 41 296
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 2 12 45 30 9 1 0 15 40 343
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 1 11 47 30 10 0 0 13 41 248
2017 Age - 60 years and over 4 19 45 24 6 2 0 24 31 140

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 Age - 24 years and under 5 15 20 36 22 0 2 59 20 31
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 8 12 38 23 16 1 0 40 21 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 3 18 44 26 7 0 1 34 21 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 4 21 42 25 7 0 0 32 26 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 6 16 47 23 7 0 0 30 22 243
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 7 19 46 20 7 0 1 27 27 299
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 7 24 44 18 6 1 0 24 32 342
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 7 24 43 20 6 0 0 26 30 249
2017 Age - 60 years and over 2 18 51 19 9 0 1 28 20 138
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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 Age - 25 - 29 years 11 89 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 13 87 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 11 89 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 12 88 241
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 13 87 301
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 16 84 340
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 17 83 247
2017 Age - 60 years and over 9 91 142

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 59 20
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 48 22
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 48 28
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 52 39
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 41 55
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 48 40
2017 Age - 60 years and over 46 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 59 20
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 71 22
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 52 28
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 57 39
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 60 55
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 64 40

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 0 10
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 0 28
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 13

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 Age - 25 - 29 years 0 10
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 0 20
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 22
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 0 28
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 0 39
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 0 55
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 0 40
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 0 10
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 22
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 25 - 29 years 0 10
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 0 20
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 22
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 0 20
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 22
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 13
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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 Age - 25 - 29 years 7 93 84
2017 Age - 30 - 34 years 4 96 149
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 7 93 217
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 6 94 240
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 5 95 301
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 6 94 341
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 11 89 248
2017 Age - 60 years and over 8 92 142

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 60 15
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 35 15
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 37 26

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 15
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 0 20
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 11

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 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 15
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 0 15
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 0 15
2017 Age - 50 - 54 years 0 20
2017 Age - 55 - 59 years 0 26
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 35 - 39 years 0 15
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 0 15
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 0 15
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 0 15
2017 Age - 60 years and over 0 11

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Age - 40 - 44 years 0 15
2017 Age - 45 - 49 years 0 15