2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for National Research Council 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 56 28 8 3 1 3 0 87 4 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 32 14 6 3 2 0 76 9 539
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 38 15 7 1 2 1 76 8 488
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 37 10 4 1 0 0 84 5 241

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 57 31 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 37 9 10 4 0 0 78 14 537
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 44 10 10 5 0 0 75 15 490
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 42 12 8 3 0 0 77 12 242

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 51 27 13 5 3 0 0 78 9 494
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 40 12 9 5 0 1 73 14 538
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 27 37 17 12 7 0 0 64 19 490
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 34 36 14 10 6 0 0 70 16 243

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 35 35 16 9 3 2 0 71 13 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 20 43 14 15 7 1 0 64 22 534
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 17 38 19 15 9 1 1 56 25 489
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 20 44 16 14 6 1 0 64 20 243

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 48 32 10 6 3 0 1 81 9 498
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 34 10 12 6 0 0 72 18 539
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 39 16 11 5 0 1 68 16 488
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 37 21 6 5 0 1 68 11 243

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 43 38 9 8 2 1 0 81 10 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 43 13 12 7 0 0 68 19 539
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 39 18 15 9 0 0 58 24 491
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 22 41 17 12 8 0 0 63 20 243

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 55 29 7 6 2 1 0 85 8 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 42 41 8 7 2 0 0 82 9 538
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 45 13 7 3 0 0 77 10 489
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 38 47 6 6 2 0 0 85 8 243
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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 65 20 6 4 3 0 1 86 8 500
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 26 9 7 5 0 0 79 12 538
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 29 8 8 8 0 0 75 17 491
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 30 13 5 4 0 0 78 9 243

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 65 19 8 4 3 1 0 85 7 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 53 25 11 5 5 0 0 78 10 538
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 29 12 6 7 1 0 74 14 491
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 32 14 6 4 0 0 76 10 242

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 46 32 7 9 5 1 0 79 13 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 27 34 14 16 10 0 0 61 25 537
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 32 15 17 13 0 0 56 29 490
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 38 19 12 7 0 0 62 19 243

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 16 27 29 13 7 7 0 47 21 499
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 10 25 31 19 13 3 0 35 33 538
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 23 28 25 14 3 1 30 41 490
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 27 37 18 8 3 0 35 27 242

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 7 24 44 18 6 1 0 32 24 497
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 2 15 47 25 11 1 0 18 35 534
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 10 41 34 11 1 0 12 46 486
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 1 14 46 29 10 0 0 15 40 242

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 5 13 41 26 14 1 1 41 18 500
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 22 45 21 5 0 0 26 29 535
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 23 45 20 5 0 1 24 30 484
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 24 48 18 6 0 0 24 28 240
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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 10 90 495
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 15 85 538
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 486
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 240

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 47 50
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 81
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 72
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 27

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 51 50
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 59 81
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 68 72
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 70 27

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 50
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 81
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 72
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 27

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 81
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 72

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 current department or agency 10 72
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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 4 96 496
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 92 539
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 486
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 96 240

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 42 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 40
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 43

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 68 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 78 40

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 0 40
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 10

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 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 40
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 43
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 10

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 current department or agency 0 21
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 10