2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Public Health Agency of Canada by Question 20.1. Occupational category (variable derived from question 20)

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 Executive 46 46 8 0 0 0 0 92 0 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 40 42 7 6 3 2 0 84 9 597
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 43 39 9 6 1 1 0 84 7 387
2017 Technical 39 39 15 3 1 3 0 80 4 96
2017 Administrative Support 46 32 20 0 0 3 0 80 0 31
2017 Operational 55 27 18 0 0 0 0 82 0 11
2017 Other 60 21 6 1 0 10 2 92 1 46
2014 Executive 55 35 4 2 2 2 0 92 4 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 38 34 14 4 3 6 0 77 7 654
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 41 32 15 4 2 5 0 77 7 467
2014 Technical 47 33 9 3 3 3 1 85 6 156
2014 Administrative Support 50 25 8 5 5 7 0 81 10 60
2014 Operational 38 13 33 0 8 8 0 55 9 24
2014 Other 52 24 9 7 5 3 0 78 12 25

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 Executive 33 48 4 10 6 0 0 81 15 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 30 44 9 11 5 0 0 75 17 598
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 36 42 9 10 4 0 0 78 13 388
2017 Technical 27 52 11 4 5 0 0 79 10 95
2017 Administrative Support 49 35 3 3 9 0 0 84 13 31
2017 Operational 27 27 18 9 18 0 0 55 27 11
2017 Other 72 23 2 2 0 0 0 95 2 46
2014 Executive 57 24 8 10 2 0 0 80 12 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 37 37 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 653
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 42 35 13 7 3 0 0 78 10 467
2014 Technical 51 37 9 2 1 1 0 88 3 156
2014 Administrative Support 57 32 8 2 2 0 0 88 3 60
2014 Operational 33 46 21 0 0 0 0 79 0 24
2014 Other 69 20 8 0 0 0 3 91 0 25

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 Executive 40 40 10 10 0 0 0 81 10 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 29 38 13 11 8 0 0 67 20 601
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 32 41 11 11 4 0 0 73 15 388
2017 Technical 28 39 21 8 4 0 0 67 12 94
2017 Administrative Support 55 29 0 10 3 3 0 87 13 31
2017 Operational 36 18 18 27 0 0 0 55 27 11
2017 Other 55 30 7 7 0 0 0 85 7 46
2014 Executive 55 28 10 6 2 0 0 82 8 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 28 38 11 15 8 0 0 66 23 654
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 29 37 15 12 7 0 0 66 19 467
2014 Technical 37 39 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 156
2014 Administrative Support 28 32 22 13 5 0 0 60 19 60
2014 Operational 21 46 25 4 4 0 0 67 8 24
2014 Other 30 51 0 19 0 0 0 81 19 25

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 Executive 37 35 15 12 2 0 0 71 13 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 21 41 14 13 9 1 0 63 22 599
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 26 41 12 14 7 0 0 67 21 387
2017 Technical 22 39 19 13 6 1 0 62 19 96
2017 Administrative Support 46 29 7 7 9 3 0 77 16 31
2017 Operational 27 36 0 27 9 0 0 64 36 11
2017 Other 42 46 4 9 0 0 0 88 9 46

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 Executive 35 27 19 13 4 2 0 63 18 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 37 36 10 10 7 0 0 73 17 598
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 40 36 8 12 4 0 1 76 16 386
2017 Technical 41 36 15 6 1 0 0 77 7 96
2017 Administrative Support 57 34 3 6 0 0 0 91 6 30
2017 Operational 55 27 9 9 0 0 0 82 9 11
2017 Other 51 20 25 4 0 0 0 71 4 46
2014 Executive 27 30 12 20 12 0 0 57 32 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 34 32 10 15 9 0 0 65 24 656
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 42 28 11 11 6 0 0 71 18 468
2014 Technical 53 32 7 4 4 0 0 85 8 156
2014 Administrative Support 42 33 13 5 7 0 0 75 12 60
2014 Operational 54 29 13 0 4 0 0 83 4 24
2014 Other 45 42 8 5 0 0 0 87 5 25

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 Executive 29 44 4 17 6 0 0 73 23 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 25 39 14 12 10 0 0 64 22 601
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 28 39 16 11 6 0 0 67 17 386
2017 Technical 19 49 16 11 5 0 0 68 17 96
2017 Administrative Support 39 39 7 7 9 0 0 78 16 31
2017 Operational 36 27 0 27 9 0 0 64 36 11
2017 Other 51 33 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 46
2014 Executive 33 33 10 22 2 0 0 67 24 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 17 36 19 18 9 0 0 54 27 656
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 25 34 20 13 8 0 0 59 21 467
2014 Technical 38 35 17 7 2 1 0 74 9 156
2014 Administrative Support 35 33 17 10 5 0 0 68 15 60
2014 Operational 25 38 21 17 0 0 0 63 17 24
2014 Other 28 56 7 3 5 0 0 85 8 25

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 Executive 38 50 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 35 44 8 9 4 0 0 79 13 600
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 34 44 10 8 4 0 0 78 12 387
2017 Technical 34 43 13 7 2 0 0 77 10 96
2017 Administrative Support 46 32 13 3 6 0 0 78 9 31
2017 Operational 36 27 18 18 0 0 0 64 18 11
2017 Other 63 33 1 2 0 0 0 96 2 46
2014 Executive 53 37 4 4 2 0 0 90 6 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 34 39 14 8 4 0 0 73 13 655
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 30 41 14 10 5 0 0 71 14 468
2014 Technical 49 41 6 3 1 0 0 90 5 156
2014 Administrative Support 38 40 13 2 7 0 0 78 8 60
2014 Operational 33 50 4 13 0 0 0 83 13 24
2014 Other 30 58 8 0 3 0 0 89 3 25
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 Executive 63 21 8 0 8 0 0 85 8 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 58 22 8 7 6 0 0 80 13 600
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 57 23 7 7 5 0 0 81 12 385
2017 Technical 52 21 11 11 5 0 0 74 16 96
2017 Administrative Support 68 19 0 3 10 0 0 87 13 31
2017 Operational 45 9 9 36 0 0 0 55 36 11
2017 Other 72 21 1 4 2 0 0 93 6 46

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 Executive 60 25 8 2 6 0 0 85 8 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 59 22 7 5 6 0 0 82 11 600
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 58 23 9 3 6 1 0 82 9 385
2017 Technical 55 20 11 6 6 1 0 77 13 96
2017 Administrative Support 71 19 3 0 7 0 0 90 7 31
2017 Operational 45 18 9 9 18 0 0 64 27 11
2017 Other 78 15 1 4 2 0 0 93 6 46

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 Executive 31 39 14 12 4 0 0 71 16 51
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 33 13 15 13 0 0 60 28 599
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 33 33 10 15 7 0 0 67 23 385
2017 Technical 24 33 11 21 11 0 0 58 32 96
2017 Administrative Support 46 26 6 13 9 0 0 72 22 31
2017 Operational 27 18 0 36 18 0 0 45 55 11
2017 Other 60 24 6 6 1 2 0 86 8 46

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 Executive 54 37 4 6 0 0 0 90 6 52
2017 Scientific and Professional 34 37 13 11 5 0 0 71 16 600
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 40 40 12 7 1 1 0 80 8 385
2017 Technical 30 41 17 7 4 0 0 71 12 96
2017 Administrative Support 46 29 13 6 3 3 0 77 10 31
2017 Operational 55 9 9 18 9 0 0 64 27 11
2017 Other 37 42 14 2 0 2 2 83 3 46

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 Executive 0 4 45 35 16 0 0 4 51 51
2017 Scientific and Professional 2 20 47 22 8 0 0 23 30 597
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 18 49 19 10 0 0 22 29 382
2017 Technical 5 25 50 15 4 0 0 31 19 96
2017 Administrative Support 7 27 38 14 13 0 0 34 27 29
2017 Operational 18 9 36 27 9 0 0 27 36 11
2017 Other 10 49 36 6 0 0 0 59 6 46

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 Executive 14 33 37 12 4 0 0 16 47 51
2017 Scientific and Professional 7 22 44 21 5 1 0 27 29 595
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 23 44 18 6 0 0 25 31 381
2017 Technical 1 20 48 22 9 0 0 31 22 94
2017 Administrative Support 13 10 40 20 13 0 3 34 24 30
2017 Operational 9 18 55 9 9 0 0 18 27 11
2017 Other 5 10 33 38 15 0 0 53 15 46
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 Executive 10 90 51
2017 Scientific and Professional 23 77 595
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 22 78 382
2017 Technical 14 86 96
2017 Administrative Support 23 77 30
2014 Executive 14 86 51
2014 Scientific and Professional 21 79 656
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 25 75 466
2014 Technical 12 88 156
2014 Administrative Support 22 78 60

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 42 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 48 84
2017 Technical 42 14
2014 Scientific and Professional 39 138
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 54 116
2014 Technical 62 18

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 77 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 73 84
2014 Scientific and Professional 69 138
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 78 116
2014 Technical 60 18
2014 Administrative Support 61 13

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 8 137
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 84
2017 Technical 0 14
2014 Scientific and Professional 11 138
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 7 116
2014 Technical 0 18
2014 Administrative Support 0 13

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 Scientific and Professional 0 137
2017 Technical 0 14
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 138
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 116
2014 Technical 0 18
2014 Administrative Support 0 13

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Technical 37 14
2014 Scientific and Professional 4 138
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 5 116

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Technical 0 14
2014 Scientific and Professional 8 138
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 6 116
2014 Technical 0 18
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 Scientific and Professional 10 90 599
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 12 88 388
2017 Technical 12 88 96
2014 Scientific and Professional 9 91 655
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 10 90 467
2014 Technical 6 94 156
2014 Operational 0 100 24

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 31 63
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 50 48
2017 Technical 55 11
2014 Scientific and Professional 26 57
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 48 44

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 85 63
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 84 48
2014 Scientific and Professional 88 57
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 89 44
2014 Technical 70 10

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 15 48
2017 Technical 0 11
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 44

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 Scientific and Professional 0 63
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 48
2017 Technical 0 11
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 57
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 44
2014 Technical 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 Scientific and Professional 0 63

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Technical 0 11
2014 Technical 0 10