2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Public Safety 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 38 39 8 1 7 8 0 83 8 85
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 43 12 6 3 5 1 79 9 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 44 9 4 2 3 0 85 6 292
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 36 7 5 2 0 0 85 7 98
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 22 9 0 0 16 0 89 0 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 34 21 5 2 9 0 70 7 348
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 33 19 3 4 6 0 73 8 257
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 27 21 4 3 5 0 70 8 118

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 24 2 12 5 0 0 81 17 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 38 7 9 6 0 0 77 16 292
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 43 9 6 7 0 0 78 13 290
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 42 5 10 10 0 0 74 21 98
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 75 18 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 40 15 8 5 1 1 72 14 348
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 33 16 8 6 1 0 69 14 259
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 34 9 8 11 1 0 71 19 118
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 38 10 4 1 0 1 86 5 123
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 12 6 4 0 0 77 11 417
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 42 11 5 8 0 1 76 12 171
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 23 15 11 11 2 1 62 23 118
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 29 8 7 1 1 0 83 9 168
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 41 13 8 8 0 0 71 16 338
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 42 10 13 9 0 0 67 23 131
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 40 12 11 10 2 0 66 22 103

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 45 31 8 9 6 1 0 77 15 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 39 9 9 6 0 0 75 16 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 10 8 6 0 0 76 14 290
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 42 9 11 10 0 1 69 22 98
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 36 19 3 0 0 0 78 3 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 36 12 13 9 0 1 65 23 347
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 32 13 11 11 0 0 64 23 259
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 30 17 11 16 0 0 55 28 118

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 36 43 7 6 6 1 0 80 13 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 40 11 12 11 0 0 66 23 287
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 42 13 9 8 1 0 70 17 292
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 35 14 13 12 3 1 59 26 97

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 43 29 10 8 8 2 0 73 16 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 30 7 12 10 1 0 71 22 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 33 9 9 7 0 0 75 16 292
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 32 11 13 11 0 0 64 24 98
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 35 12 3 0 0 4 85 3 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 37 12 10 7 0 0 71 17 348
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 30 10 14 15 0 0 61 29 258
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 31 12 12 14 0 0 62 26 118
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 37 10 4 4 0 0 82 8 123
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 36 10 9 6 0 1 75 14 416
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 44 13 7 6 0 0 73 14 170
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 31 17 11 10 0 1 62 22 118

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 41 33 9 9 8 0 0 74 16 85
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 42 11 11 9 0 0 68 21 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 12 12 7 0 0 69 19 292
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 32 17 20 8 0 0 56 27 98
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 49 10 3 0 0 0 87 3 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 37 18 19 14 1 0 49 33 348
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 27 15 22 16 0 0 47 38 259
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 18 30 13 18 21 0 0 48 39 118
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 26 47 10 9 7 1 0 74 16 123
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 42 15 11 8 1 0 67 19 416
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 38 15 9 13 1 0 63 22 171
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 25 15 18 16 0 1 50 34 118
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 35 11 9 4 0 0 76 13 169
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 18 34 20 15 12 1 0 53 27 338
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 40 18 15 13 0 0 54 28 131
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 34 18 18 16 1 0 48 34 105

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 48 32 8 7 5 0 0 80 12 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 35 12 10 6 0 0 72 16 290
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 40 10 8 4 0 0 79 12 289
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 41 11 9 6 0 0 73 15 98
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 38 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 41 13 10 10 0 0 67 20 348
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 33 15 9 6 1 0 69 15 259
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 33 14 8 10 0 0 68 18 118
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 32 51 8 7 2 1 0 83 8 123
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 42 9 8 2 0 0 80 11 417
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 36 7 6 7 0 0 80 13 170
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 32 11 9 4 0 1 76 13 118
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 39 7 6 2 0 0 85 8 169
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 42 7 10 3 0 0 80 13 336
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 45 11 8 4 0 0 77 12 131
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 42 3 10 6 0 0 80 16 105
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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 68 18 2 8 4 0 0 85 13 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 22 7 5 8 0 0 80 13 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 19 4 7 5 0 1 84 12 293
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 33 3 7 8 1 1 81 15 98

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 67 17 3 8 4 1 0 84 13 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 60 22 7 5 6 0 0 82 11 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 21 3 5 6 0 1 86 10 293
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 31 5 6 7 1 1 81 14 98

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 37 33 3 10 14 1 1 72 25 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 34 10 14 16 0 0 60 30 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 35 9 11 12 1 0 68 23 293
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 29 12 15 12 0 1 60 28 98

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 28 34 16 14 4 3 0 65 19 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 40 17 11 5 1 0 66 16 293
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 41 15 6 4 1 0 75 11 292
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 37 22 8 5 0 0 64 13 98

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 11 30 39 13 6 0 0 42 19 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 19 39 24 15 0 0 23 39 292
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 12 45 27 14 0 0 14 40 293
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 12 40 25 21 0 0 14 46 96

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 9 18 35 23 15 0 0 38 27 84
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 25 36 18 6 0 0 24 40 290
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 25 44 12 6 0 0 19 37 288
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 28 31 19 5 0 1 24 45 97
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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 11 89 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 76 290
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 290
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 95
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 76 348
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 73 259
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 117

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 55
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 84
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 70
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 25

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 68 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 78 55
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 69 84
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 75 70
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 87 25

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 the federal public service 0 11
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 84
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 70

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 11
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 55
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 84
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 70
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 25

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 the federal public service 0 11
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 70
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 70

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 0 55
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 17
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 25

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 17
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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 7 93 86
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 291
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 290
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 95 97
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 31
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 347
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 259
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 118

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 28 42
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 26
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 18

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 86 42
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 77 26
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 89 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 84 18
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 73 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 42
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 26
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 18
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 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 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 26
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 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 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 26
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 18
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 11