2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by Question 23. Are you a supervisor?

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 Supervisor 43 39 10 3 0 6 0 86 3 39
2017 Non-supervisor 43 30 13 7 2 4 1 76 10 81
2014 Supervisor 53 22 13 6 0 6 0 80 6 46
2014 Non-supervisor 42 31 12 5 2 8 0 79 8 112

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 Supervisor 50 37 6 5 3 0 0 87 7 38
2017 Non-supervisor 48 30 10 10 2 0 0 78 12 82
2014 Supervisor 71 22 4 2 0 0 0 93 2 46
2014 Non-supervisor 55 34 4 3 3 1 0 90 7 112

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 Supervisor 41 43 10 2 3 0 0 85 5 39
2017 Non-supervisor 45 27 11 11 6 0 0 72 17 82
2014 Supervisor 59 24 6 7 4 0 0 83 11 46
2014 Non-supervisor 40 31 11 11 6 1 0 72 18 112

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 Supervisor 28 51 10 5 5 0 0 80 10 39
2017 Non-supervisor 33 34 9 15 10 0 0 67 25 82

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 Supervisor 35 23 18 18 6 0 0 59 23 39
2017 Non-supervisor 51 34 6 5 4 0 0 85 9 82
2014 Supervisor 43 34 11 9 2 0 2 78 11 46
2014 Non-supervisor 43 34 10 9 2 1 1 79 11 112

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 Supervisor 38 39 8 11 5 0 0 77 16 39
2017 Non-supervisor 43 28 12 11 5 0 0 72 16 82
2014 Supervisor 67 22 9 2 0 0 0 89 2 46
2014 Non-supervisor 42 39 10 4 4 1 0 82 9 112

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 Supervisor 41 34 14 8 5 0 0 74 12 39
2017 Non-supervisor 45 32 16 5 1 0 0 78 6 82
2014 Supervisor 64 21 7 5 4 0 0 85 9 46
2014 Non-supervisor 46 39 8 2 3 2 0 86 5 112
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 Supervisor 46 34 5 8 5 2 0 82 13 39
2017 Non-supervisor 57 26 7 2 6 1 0 84 9 82

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 Supervisor 59 22 5 10 3 2 0 82 13 39
2017 Non-supervisor 62 26 2 3 6 1 0 89 9 82

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 Supervisor 32 33 13 13 8 0 0 66 21 39
2017 Non-supervisor 34 31 14 15 6 0 0 65 21 82

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 Supervisor 43 46 3 3 0 6 0 94 3 38
2017 Non-supervisor 63 22 7 5 3 0 0 85 8 82

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 Supervisor 3 11 40 28 18 0 0 13 46 39
2017 Non-supervisor 2 28 37 21 11 0 0 30 33 81

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 Supervisor 8 36 39 16 0 0 0 16 45 38
2017 Non-supervisor 13 18 31 27 10 0 1 38 31 80
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 Non-supervisor 32 68 82
2014 Supervisor 15 85 46
2014 Non-supervisor 26 74 112

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 53 26
2014 Non-supervisor 51 30

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 66 26
2014 Non-supervisor 59 30

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 Non-supervisor 0 26
2014 Non-supervisor 0 30

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 0 26

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 0 26
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 Non-supervisor 15 85 81
2014 Non-supervisor 11 89 112

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 49 12

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 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 Non-supervisor 0 12
2014 Non-supervisor 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 0 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-supervisor 0 12
2014 Non-supervisor 0 13