2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Public Health Agency of 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 49 37 8 2 1 4 1 90 2 278
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 39 11 4 2 2 0 82 6 660
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 40 7 9 2 2 0 81 12 312
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 52 9 8 0 5 0 82 8 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 49 31 10 2 4 3 0 83 7 288
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 33 14 4 3 6 0 78 7 904
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 33 15 6 2 4 0 75 8 264
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 17 54 15 0 0 13 0 83 0 28

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 54 36 5 3 2 0 0 90 5 279
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 28 49 8 9 5 0 0 77 14 659
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 36 11 15 6 0 0 67 21 313
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 50 11 18 13 0 0 58 31 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 54 32 8 3 3 0 0 86 6 287
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 35 13 7 3 0 0 76 11 902
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 37 13 6 3 0 0 77 10 264
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 22 41 13 14 3 3 3 67 19 28

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 41 38 12 8 2 0 0 78 10 279
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 40 14 11 5 0 0 69 16 662
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 36 12 11 9 0 0 67 21 312
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 20 26 19 23 13 0 0 45 36 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 37 38 10 10 5 0 0 75 15 288
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 28 39 13 13 8 0 0 66 21 905
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 33 13 16 7 0 0 64 23 263
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 44 23 11 8 0 0 58 19 28

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 33 45 8 9 5 1 0 78 13 279
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 39 15 14 7 1 0 64 21 660
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 20 39 14 15 11 1 0 60 26 312
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 28 24 9 22 0 0 45 31 18

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 47 31 12 7 3 0 0 78 10 279
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 36 11 11 5 0 0 73 16 657
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 33 12 9 6 0 1 73 15 313
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 52 11 8 5 0 0 76 13 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 45 33 10 7 6 0 0 77 13 288
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 31 10 12 9 0 0 70 20 907
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 28 13 16 7 0 0 64 23 264
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 25 32 18 18 7 0 0 57 25 28

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 42 38 9 7 4 0 0 80 11 279
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 40 16 12 8 0 0 64 20 660
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 19 43 14 13 11 1 0 62 24 314
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 39 5 18 23 0 0 54 42 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 33 39 13 10 5 0 0 71 15 288
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 35 20 16 7 1 0 56 24 905
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 35 18 15 7 0 0 59 23 264
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 16 38 17 18 11 0 0 54 29 28

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 49 39 5 4 2 0 0 88 7 279
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 43 11 9 4 0 0 76 12 660
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 46 8 10 4 0 0 77 14 314
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 54 11 5 14 0 0 71 18 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 38 11 6 5 0 0 78 11 288
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 41 14 8 4 0 0 74 13 907
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 39 10 8 3 0 0 79 11 263
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 61 17 4 0 0 0 80 4 28
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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 67 20 4 4 4 0 0 88 8 277
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 55 23 8 7 6 0 0 79 14 661
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 23 9 8 6 0 0 77 14 314
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 18 7 5 28 0 0 60 33 17

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 69 18 5 4 4 0 0 87 8 278
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 56 25 8 4 6 1 0 82 10 660
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 56 22 9 5 7 1 0 79 12 314
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 47 13 7 15 18 0 0 60 33 17

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 51 28 8 8 5 1 0 80 13 278
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 32 13 19 10 0 0 58 29 658
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 36 10 16 13 0 0 60 30 314
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 21 34 12 5 28 0 0 55 33 17

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 47 36 10 3 3 1 1 84 6 278
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 40 16 10 3 1 0 72 13 660
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 37 11 12 4 1 0 73 16 314
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 43 16 9 8 0 0 66 18 17

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 9 34 38 14 4 0 0 43 18 275
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 18 48 21 9 0 0 21 30 655
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 16 50 22 10 0 0 18 32 311
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 11 54 31 5 0 0 11 36 18

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 6 16 34 32 12 0 0 45 21 276
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 24 44 20 5 0 0 25 30 651
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 23 48 14 5 1 0 19 32 311
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 13 25 51 5 6 0 0 11 38 17
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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 15 85 276
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 79 654
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 77 311
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 69 18
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 22 78 288
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 79 907
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 19 81 262
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 21 79 28

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 57 46
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 138
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 75
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 46 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 46 190
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 50

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 76 46
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 72 138
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 73 75
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 58 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 75 190
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 74 50

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 current department or agency 8 138
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 75
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 190
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 15 50

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 46
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 138
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 190
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 50

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 5 138
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 75
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 190

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 current department or agency 0 46
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 75

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 46
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 8 64
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 190
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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 8 92 278
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 91 657
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 314
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 9 91 287
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 8 92 906
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 264

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 56 23
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 63
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 50
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 44 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 42 73

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 59 23
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 90 63
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 81 50
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 88 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 86 73
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 92 25

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 23
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 63
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 50
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 25
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 73
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 25