2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Canada School of Public Service 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 46 37 9 0 0 8 0 91 0 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 43 7 6 1 1 0 85 7 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 42 11 5 2 2 0 82 7 157
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 25 18 6 0 3 0 76 6 70
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 32 2 0 0 16 2 98 0 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 34 14 2 2 8 0 81 4 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 35 14 2 3 5 0 81 5 163
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 32 13 2 1 6 0 83 3 90

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 65 28 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 35 12 6 4 0 1 77 10 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 41 12 6 7 0 0 75 12 158
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 24 14 17 1 0 0 68 18 70
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 70 25 2 0 0 2 0 98 0 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 34 10 4 3 0 0 83 7 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 39 10 1 2 0 0 87 4 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 35 6 2 3 0 0 88 5 90
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 35 7 1 1 1 0 91 2 98
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 39 17 9 4 1 0 70 13 340
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 47 15 8 9 0 0 68 17 139
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 31 14 11 10 0 0 65 21 105
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 39 8 4 4 0 0 84 8 124
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 38 17 13 7 0 0 62 21 227
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 43 12 12 7 1 0 68 19 105
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 35 12 7 10 0 0 70 17 121

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 53 28 11 0 9 0 0 80 9 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 36 11 8 5 1 0 76 13 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 37 16 11 5 0 0 68 16 157
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 38 11 13 3 0 0 74 15 70
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 27 25 0 0 0 0 75 0 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 33 13 12 5 0 0 70 17 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 38 18 7 2 1 0 72 10 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 34 15 9 5 0 1 71 14 90

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 46 35 5 8 6 0 0 81 14 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 46 10 10 6 1 0 74 16 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 43 18 12 7 0 1 62 19 158
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 35 12 18 6 1 0 64 24 70

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 67 26 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 31 10 4 5 0 0 81 9 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 38 12 5 3 0 2 79 9 159
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 29 9 12 3 0 0 76 15 70
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 27 13 0 2 0 0 84 2 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 33 9 7 6 0 2 78 13 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 35 6 9 5 0 1 80 14 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 29 7 4 5 1 0 83 10 90
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 36 10 6 4 0 2 80 10 98
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 36 12 11 3 0 1 72 15 340
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 37 11 13 5 0 1 71 18 138
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 34 15 7 5 0 2 73 12 107

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 59 15 17 9 0 0 0 75 9 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 37 16 12 6 0 1 65 18 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 38 18 11 12 0 0 59 22 158
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 30 19 11 12 0 0 58 23 70
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 38 5 7 0 0 4 88 8 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 38 19 13 9 0 0 59 22 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 39 16 12 5 0 1 66 18 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 36 15 7 5 0 0 72 13 90
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 28 36 20 12 3 1 0 64 15 98
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 28 23 22 12 0 0 43 34 340
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 29 22 18 16 1 0 44 34 137
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 32 20 14 14 0 0 51 28 108
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 33 15 15 2 1 0 68 17 124
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 31 22 19 12 0 0 46 31 227
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 29 20 14 18 0 1 48 32 107
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 23 27 22 15 13 1 0 50 28 124

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 53 29 15 3 0 0 0 82 3 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 45 10 5 2 1 1 83 7 125
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 47 9 5 6 0 0 81 10 159
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 34 8 3 7 0 0 83 9 70
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 40 11 2 0 0 0 87 2 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 12 6 5 0 0 78 10 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 40 11 4 2 0 0 83 5 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 37 3 4 0 0 1 92 4 90
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 41 12 8 1 0 0 79 9 98
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 11 8 3 0 0 78 11 341
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 49 8 5 4 1 0 82 9 138
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 45 8 10 3 0 0 79 13 107
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 43 6 5 2 0 0 88 6 124
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 38 7 7 4 0 0 81 12 228
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 54 8 5 5 0 0 83 9 106
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 37 6 5 2 0 0 88 7 123
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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 67 26 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 69 19 3 4 5 1 0 89 8 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 26 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 159
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 58 15 6 11 7 1 1 75 19 69

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 64 18 11 7 0 0 0 82 7 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 67 19 5 4 5 0 0 86 9 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 58 23 13 3 3 0 0 81 6 158
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 22 6 8 7 1 1 78 16 69

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 45 40 3 10 0 0 2 87 10 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 34 14 11 7 0 1 67 19 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 35 13 12 13 0 0 62 24 159
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 27 10 21 11 1 0 58 33 69

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 50 10 6 0 0 0 84 6 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 31 13 9 4 1 1 74 13 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 39 17 7 1 0 0 75 8 158
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 26 14 10 7 0 0 69 17 69

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 19 27 45 9 0 0 0 45 9 36
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 25 34 24 12 1 0 29 36 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 11 54 23 10 0 0 13 33 156
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 16 43 25 6 0 0 26 31 70

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 0 5 24 38 33 0 0 71 5 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 24 36 23 9 1 1 32 32 126
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 20 49 21 3 0 0 24 27 154
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 23 32 19 12 0 1 31 36 67
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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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 79 121
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 79 158
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 68
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 79 243
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 77 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 90

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 28 25
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 33
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 49
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 38

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 70 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 68 49
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 79 38
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 16

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 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 25
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 33
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 49
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 38
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 16

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 25
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 33
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 49

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 25
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 33
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 38
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 16

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 25
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 38
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 16
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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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 89 123
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 159
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 40
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 91 242
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 164
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 90

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 47 15
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 22
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 20

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 77 22
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 71 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 100 12

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 15
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12

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 15
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 22
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12

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 0 15
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 22
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 15
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 22
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 15
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12