2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Canada School of Public Service 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 46 40 9 2 1 2 0 87 3 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 39 12 6 1 3 0 80 8 191
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 37 10 7 0 0 0 83 7 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 27 9 1 0 11 1 90 1 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 36 14 3 2 6 0 80 5 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 40 13 0 2 5 0 84 2 45

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 52 29 9 7 2 0 1 82 9 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 39 13 8 6 0 0 73 14 192
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 34 15 9 4 0 0 73 12 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 66 30 3 1 1 1 0 96 1 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 36 12 4 3 0 0 81 7 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 44 9 2 2 0 0 87 5 46

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 44 30 13 6 7 0 0 74 13 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 37 13 12 5 1 0 70 17 191
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 48 13 7 2 0 0 78 9 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 48 32 13 5 1 0 1 81 6 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 35 16 10 5 0 0 68 16 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 32 23 11 4 0 0 62 15 46

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 31 40 12 11 6 0 0 71 17 139
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 43 13 12 8 1 1 66 21 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 43 17 14 2 0 0 68 15 54

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 52 33 7 6 2 0 0 85 9 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 46 31 10 7 5 0 1 78 12 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 39 19 2 2 0 0 78 4 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 53 30 9 5 2 0 1 84 7 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 33 8 8 6 0 1 77 14 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 35 6 7 4 0 2 83 11 46

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 40 30 13 10 7 0 1 70 16 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 22 39 19 9 11 0 0 61 20 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 19 29 22 25 5 0 0 48 30 53
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 46 37 7 5 3 1 1 84 8 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 18 39 20 14 9 0 0 58 22 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 29 18 16 4 0 0 62 21 46

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 46 34 12 3 4 0 1 80 7 139
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 46 10 6 4 1 0 80 10 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 52 2 2 4 0 0 93 5 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 54 34 7 2 2 0 1 88 4 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 43 11 6 3 0 0 79 10 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 51 34 13 2 0 0 0 85 2 46
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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 62 24 5 5 3 1 0 87 8 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 63 20 6 6 4 1 0 84 10 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 64 19 8 5 4 0 0 83 9 53

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 58 21 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 63 20 8 5 4 1 0 83 9 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 60 24 8 4 4 0 0 84 7 52

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 34 35 11 11 9 0 1 69 20 140
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 33 11 15 10 1 0 64 24 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 37 17 11 12 0 0 60 23 53

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 42 36 13 7 3 0 1 78 9 139
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 33 15 9 3 1 0 72 13 193
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 41 19 7 2 0 0 72 9 52

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 10 22 48 14 5 1 0 33 19 138
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 18 41 25 11 0 0 22 37 190
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 5 52 30 12 0 0 7 42 54

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 4 18 34 29 15 0 1 44 22 138
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 23 38 19 8 1 0 27 34 188
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 18 58 19 3 0 0 22 20 52
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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 16 84 136
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 18 82 188
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 76 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 10 90 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 76 347
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 20 80 46

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 32 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 34
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 35 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 82

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 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 81 34
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 64 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 86 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 66 82

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 current department or agency 0 14
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 82

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 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 34
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 13
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 82

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 0 34

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 21
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 34
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 13

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 21
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 14
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 13
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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 7 93 137
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 87 192
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 54
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 97 138
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 91 346

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 26 31

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 100 10
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 85 31

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 current department or agency 0 27

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 10
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 31

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 10
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 10
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 27
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 31

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 31