2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council 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

Top of Page

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 34 40 11 9 0 6 0 79 9 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 34 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 33 15 7 6 0 0 72 13 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 69 22 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 13
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 19 4 11 8 15 0 74 22 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 47 25 13 6 4 4 1 76 11 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 33 14 2 0 7 0 83 3 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 29 7 0 7 7 0 85 8 14

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 34 0 3 3 3 0 94 6 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 24 12 4 4 0 0 80 9 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 39 3 7 6 0 0 84 13 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 62 31 0 0 7 0 0 93 7 14
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 22 8 3 0 0 0 89 3 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 35 11 1 1 0 0 86 3 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 35 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 71 21 0 0 0 7 0 100 0 14

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 34 40 14 9 0 3 0 76 9 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 17 14 9 4 0 0 73 13 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 39 13 11 4 0 0 73 15 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 37 8 7 0 0 0 85 7 14
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 33 11 8 4 4 0 77 12 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 32 11 11 5 0 0 72 16 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 30 16 7 7 0 0 70 14 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 29 0 14 7 0 0 79 21 14

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 23 43 20 9 0 3 3 70 9 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 31 9 20 6 0 0 66 25 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 7 17 7 0 0 69 24 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 52 15 0 0 0 0 85 0 14

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 57 26 11 0 6 0 0 83 6 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 24 9 8 4 0 0 79 13 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 45 7 7 4 0 0 82 11 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 36 0 15 0 0 0 85 15 14
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 23 11 8 8 0 0 74 15 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 35 9 9 5 0 1 77 14 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 26 19 5 2 0 0 74 7 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 21 7 14 0 0 0 79 14 14

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 60 23 14 3 0 0 0 83 3 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 24 8 13 4 0 0 74 17 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 44 7 9 4 0 0 80 13 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 15 8 22 0 0 0 70 22 14
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 38 15 0 4 0 0 82 4 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 32 15 11 5 0 0 69 16 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 44 12 7 2 0 0 79 9 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 21 14 7 0 7 0 77 8 14

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 57 34 6 3 0 0 0 91 3 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 28 10 6 6 0 0 79 11 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 35 11 11 2 0 0 76 13 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 37 8 7 0 0 0 85 7 14
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 30 22 4 4 0 0 70 8 27
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 34 15 1 6 0 0 77 8 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 35 14 9 0 0 0 77 9 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 50 0 7 0 0 0 93 7 14
Top of Page

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 71 14 6 6 0 3 0 88 6 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 62 21 7 7 3 0 0 83 10 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 61 17 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 78 22 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 14

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 77 11 6 0 0 6 0 94 0 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 63 17 8 8 3 0 0 80 11 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 63 17 9 9 2 0 0 79 11 53
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 70 22 8 0 0 0 0 92 0 14

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 57 31 3 6 0 3 0 91 6 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 31 10 7 9 0 0 74 16 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 39 7 11 7 0 0 74 19 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 23 0 15 8 0 0 77 23 14

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 34 43 17 0 0 6 0 82 0 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 31 14 6 3 2 0 77 9 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 32 20 6 2 0 0 72 7 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 29 7 0 8 0 0 85 8 14

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 14 37 34 14 0 0 0 52 14 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 16 42 20 12 0 0 27 31 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 23 42 26 7 0 0 24 33 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 27 29 30 7 0 0 34 37 14

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 3 12 34 25 26 0 0 51 15 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 22 38 18 15 0 0 34 28 71
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 17 56 19 4 0 2 23 20 54
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 40 8 28 23 0 0 52 40 13
Top of Page

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 24 76 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 70 54
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 78 80

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 71 17
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 18

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 65 17
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 70 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 72 18

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 17
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 18

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 the federal public service 0 17

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 18

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16
Top of Page

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 15 85 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 87 70
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 53
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 100 14
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 90 80
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 100 43
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 100 14