2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Public Health Agency of 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 26 8 1 1 6 2 90 2 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 39 10 4 2 2 0 84 6 477
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 43 8 6 2 2 0 83 8 542
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 37 11 6 3 2 0 81 8 146
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 24 7 1 3 5 0 88 4 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 33 14 4 3 6 0 77 8 704
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 32 15 5 2 5 0 77 7 507
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 38 13 5 2 6 1 78 8 171

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 68 27 2 2 1 0 0 95 2 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 50 6 7 4 0 0 83 11 476
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 40 12 12 5 0 0 71 17 543
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 40 11 15 9 0 0 65 25 147
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 28 7 1 1 0 0 92 2 101
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 37 12 6 2 0 0 79 9 704
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 33 13 7 5 0 0 74 13 507
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 40 10 8 4 1 1 78 12 169
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 34 6 3 1 1 0 91 3 353
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 40 12 7 4 1 0 77 10 993
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 36 14 11 6 0 0 69 17 414
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 39 11 7 10 0 0 72 17 230
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 28 8 7 1 0 0 84 8 320
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 42 14 8 3 1 0 75 11 737
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 38 15 10 8 1 0 66 19 223
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 39 12 6 6 0 0 76 12 161

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 44 36 12 7 1 0 0 80 8 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 40 13 10 4 0 0 72 14 478
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 38 13 12 6 0 0 68 18 542
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 37 11 15 10 0 0 64 25 148
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 48 8 8 2 0 0 83 9 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 41 12 11 7 0 0 69 19 705
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 32 14 16 8 0 0 62 24 506
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 36 12 13 6 1 0 69 19 171

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 39 42 7 7 3 1 0 82 11 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 42 13 12 6 1 0 69 18 476
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 39 15 15 8 1 0 62 23 542
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 38 14 11 16 1 0 59 27 148

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 54 26 16 3 1 1 0 80 4 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 35 9 10 4 0 0 77 14 474
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 35 11 10 6 0 0 73 16 543
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 37 13 14 4 0 0 69 18 147
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 37 8 4 1 0 0 87 5 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 32 10 10 8 0 0 73 18 706
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 27 12 16 9 0 0 63 25 508
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 36 11 11 7 0 0 71 18 171
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 35 9 5 1 1 0 84 6 352
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 35 8 9 5 1 0 77 15 993
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 38 9 10 8 1 1 73 18 414
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 29 9 11 12 1 0 68 23 230

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 55 34 6 2 4 0 0 89 5 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 42 14 11 7 0 0 68 17 478
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 42 15 13 8 1 0 63 22 542
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 23 33 17 15 12 0 0 56 27 148
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 36 48 10 5 1 0 0 83 6 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 34 20 15 6 0 0 59 21 705
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 35 19 15 10 1 0 56 25 507
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 35 16 19 7 0 0 58 26 171
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 36 41 12 9 2 0 0 76 11 350
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 38 17 12 8 0 0 63 20 991
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 37 17 16 11 0 0 56 27 415
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 37 13 18 11 0 1 57 29 229
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 33 13 8 3 0 0 76 12 321
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 44 12 12 6 0 0 70 17 738
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 33 15 16 10 0 0 59 25 223
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 37 11 13 6 0 1 70 19 162

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 61 33 2 2 2 0 0 94 4 103
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 41 12 9 2 0 0 77 11 478
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 47 8 8 4 0 0 79 12 542
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 44 9 11 7 0 0 73 18 148
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 45 6 3 2 1 0 89 5 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 40 14 7 4 0 0 75 11 706
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 39 12 9 5 0 0 74 14 507
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 40 11 8 2 0 0 78 10 171
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 39 9 8 1 0 0 82 8 353
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 41 10 8 2 0 0 80 11 995
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 41 10 8 4 0 0 77 13 414
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 42 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 231
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 40 10 5 3 0 0 82 7 319
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 47 6 6 2 0 0 85 9 739
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 35 7 8 3 0 0 82 11 222
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 41 4 4 2 0 0 91 5 161
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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 74 20 1 1 4 0 0 94 5 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 57 24 8 7 5 0 0 80 12 477
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 22 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 544
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 22 7 10 11 0 0 73 21 146

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 78 16 2 1 3 0 0 94 4 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 59 24 7 3 5 1 0 85 8 476
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 23 8 5 7 0 0 80 12 544
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 21 11 8 9 1 0 71 17 147

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 61 24 6 5 2 2 0 86 8 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 35 10 16 9 0 0 64 26 474
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 33 12 16 12 0 0 61 27 544
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 29 15 20 14 0 0 51 34 147

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 44 37 11 4 2 2 2 83 6 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 39 15 9 4 1 0 72 13 476
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 37 11 9 3 1 0 77 12 544
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 42 16 10 5 0 0 69 14 147

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 13 43 34 9 1 0 0 56 10 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 22 47 18 8 0 0 27 26 473
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 47 23 11 0 0 19 34 539
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 14 54 25 5 0 0 16 30 145

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 2 9 34 37 17 0 0 55 12 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 17 44 23 8 0 0 31 25 471
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 27 43 17 4 1 0 21 35 539
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 27 46 14 4 0 0 18 35 143
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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 91 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 18 82 471
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 539
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 71 147
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 9 91 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 80 706
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 77 506
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 171

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 56 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 87
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 121
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 45
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 144
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 120
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 40

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 87
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 76 121
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 80 45
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 72 144
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 73 120
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 72 40

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 87
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 121
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 144
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 120

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 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 87
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 45
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 144
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 120
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 40

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 12
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 87
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 121
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 144
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 40

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment 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 12
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 121
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 45
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 40

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 12
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 45
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 144
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 120
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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 97 102
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 90 477
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 540
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 148
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 92 705
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 508
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 170

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 33 48
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 64
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 20
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 55
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 52
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 15

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 78 48
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 84 64
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 85 55
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 91 52
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 87 15

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 48
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 64
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 55
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 52
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 48
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 20

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15