2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by Question 22. With which of the following communities do you most closely identify in relation to your current job? (Mark one only.)

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 Federal regulators 50 41 8 0 0 0 0 92 0 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 45 16 31 8 0 0 0 61 8 13
2017 Communications or public affairs 50 21 10 9 0 10 0 78 10 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 65 21 15 0 0 0 0 85 0 14
2017 Human resources 74 26 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 12
2017 Financial management 9 63 20 9 0 0 0 72 9 11
2017 Policy 36 27 27 0 0 9 0 70 0 11
2014 Federal regulators 39 12 19 17 0 13 0 59 20 16
2014 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 33 28 7 7 7 20 0 75 16 15
2014 Communications or public affairs 52 21 21 0 0 7 0 78 0 15
2014 Access to information and privacy 50 24 16 0 3 6 0 79 3 30
2014 Administration and operations 57 31 6 0 6 0 0 88 6 16
2014 Human resources 52 29 0 9 0 10 0 90 10 10
2014 Information technology 73 18 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 11

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 Federal regulators 37 41 22 0 0 0 0 78 0 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 42 36 7 7 7 0 0 78 15 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 62 19 0 19 0 0 0 81 19 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 51 37 6 6 0 0 0 88 6 14
2017 Human resources 67 17 9 7 0 0 0 84 7 12
2017 Financial management 38 43 19 0 0 0 0 81 0 11
2017 Policy 40 20 20 20 0 0 0 60 20 10
2014 Federal regulators 43 39 6 6 0 6 0 88 6 16
2014 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 61 39 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 15
2014 Communications or public affairs 67 26 0 7 0 0 0 93 7 15
2014 Access to information and privacy 77 9 7 3 3 0 0 87 6 30
2014 Administration and operations 75 6 0 0 18 0 0 82 18 16
2014 Human resources 62 38 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 10
2014 Information technology 54 37 0 9 0 0 0 91 9 11

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 Federal regulators 38 40 11 0 11 0 0 78 11 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 44 20 22 7 7 0 0 64 15 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 70 10 0 19 0 0 0 81 19 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 51 28 15 6 0 0 0 79 6 14
2017 Human resources 50 25 25 0 0 0 0 75 0 12
2017 Financial management 0 63 19 9 10 0 0 63 19 11
2017 Policy 36 28 18 9 9 0 0 64 18 11
2014 Federal regulators 39 26 12 12 6 6 0 69 19 16
2014 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 34 53 7 7 0 0 0 87 7 15
2014 Communications or public affairs 66 21 0 7 7 0 0 86 14 15
2014 Access to information and privacy 55 22 10 6 7 0 0 76 13 30
2014 Administration and operations 51 25 0 6 18 0 0 75 25 16
2014 Human resources 53 19 18 10 0 0 0 72 10 10
2014 Information technology 63 0 0 37 0 0 0 63 37 11

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 Federal regulators 38 40 0 22 0 0 0 78 22 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 29 35 22 0 15 0 0 64 15 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 52 29 0 9 10 0 0 81 19 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 36 50 0 13 0 0 0 87 13 14
2017 Human resources 26 41 16 9 9 0 0 66 18 12
2017 Financial management 10 46 25 19 0 0 0 56 19 11
2017 Policy 27 28 9 18 18 0 0 55 36 11

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 Federal regulators 59 0 19 11 11 0 0 59 22 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 49 29 22 0 0 0 0 78 0 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 41 21 0 38 0 0 0 62 38 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 58 42 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 14
2017 Human resources 51 25 17 7 0 0 0 76 7 12
2017 Financial management 28 35 19 18 0 0 0 64 18 11
2017 Policy 45 27 0 18 9 0 0 73 27 11
2014 Federal regulators 28 49 6 11 0 6 0 82 12 16
2014 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 46 34 7 13 0 0 0 80 13 15
2014 Communications or public affairs 33 34 20 14 0 0 0 66 14 15
2014 Access to information and privacy 70 17 3 9 0 0 0 87 9 30
2014 Administration and operations 37 37 0 12 6 0 7 80 20 16
2014 Human resources 69 31 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 10
2014 Information technology 45 18 18 18 0 0 0 63 18 11

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 Federal regulators 48 30 0 22 0 0 0 78 22 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 27 29 15 22 7 0 0 56 29 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 52 29 10 9 0 0 0 81 9 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 37 49 8 0 6 0 0 87 6 14
2017 Human resources 75 0 18 7 0 0 0 75 7 12
2017 Financial management 19 45 36 0 0 0 0 64 0 11
2017 Policy 36 27 18 18 0 0 0 64 18 11
2014 Federal regulators 51 32 0 12 0 6 0 88 12 16
2014 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 53 41 0 7 0 0 0 93 7 15
2014 Communications or public affairs 53 34 6 7 0 0 0 87 7 15
2014 Access to information and privacy 67 24 3 3 3 0 0 91 6 30
2014 Administration and operations 63 19 6 0 12 0 0 82 12 16
2014 Human resources 42 48 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 10
2014 Information technology 36 27 9 9 18 0 0 63 27 11

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 Federal regulators 47 31 11 11 0 0 0 78 11 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 42 36 15 0 7 0 0 78 7 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 60 30 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 51 35 8 0 6 0 0 87 6 14
2017 Human resources 60 16 9 16 0 0 0 75 16 12
2017 Financial management 20 43 37 0 0 0 0 63 0 11
2017 Policy 36 46 18 0 0 0 0 82 0 11
2014 Federal regulators 71 23 0 0 0 6 0 100 0 16
2014 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 34 66 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 15
2014 Communications or public affairs 47 46 0 7 0 0 0 93 7 15
2014 Access to information and privacy 67 23 4 0 6 0 0 90 6 30
2014 Administration and operations 44 37 12 0 6 0 0 81 6 16
2014 Human resources 52 19 29 0 0 0 0 71 0 10
2014 Information technology 54 18 0 18 9 0 0 73 27 11
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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 Federal regulators 38 41 9 0 11 0 0 80 11 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 51 35 0 7 7 0 0 85 15 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 52 31 0 17 0 0 0 83 17 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 79 21 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 14
2017 Human resources 59 17 9 9 7 0 0 75 16 12
2017 Financial management 55 27 18 0 0 0 0 82 0 11
2017 Policy 63 37 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 11

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 Federal regulators 47 33 9 11 0 0 0 80 11 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 58 27 0 7 7 0 0 85 15 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 62 30 0 8 0 0 0 92 8 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 79 21 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 14
2017 Human resources 59 25 0 16 0 0 0 84 16 12
2017 Financial management 73 9 18 0 0 0 0 82 0 11
2017 Policy 63 37 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 11

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 Federal regulators 28 20 19 33 0 0 0 48 33 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 27 36 15 15 7 0 0 64 22 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 31 50 10 9 0 0 0 81 9 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 43 36 15 0 6 0 0 79 6 14
2017 Human resources 60 24 0 16 0 0 0 84 16 12
2017 Financial management 19 43 28 10 0 0 0 62 10 11
2017 Policy 18 18 18 27 18 0 0 36 45 11

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 Federal regulators 58 42 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 56 22 15 7 0 0 0 78 7 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 48 31 10 0 0 10 0 88 0 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 64 36 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 14
2017 Human resources 83 8 0 0 0 9 0 100 0 12
2017 Financial management 56 44 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 11
2017 Policy 40 30 20 10 0 0 0 70 10 10

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 Federal regulators 0 11 35 32 22 0 0 11 54 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 0 29 44 27 0 0 0 29 27 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 0 31 31 38 0 0 0 31 38 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 6 30 28 22 13 0 0 36 35 14
2017 Human resources 18 16 43 15 9 0 0 33 24 12
2017 Financial management 0 17 46 17 20 0 0 17 36 11
2017 Policy 0 18 55 18 9 0 0 18 27 11

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 Federal regulators 33 11 36 20 0 0 0 20 44 10
2017 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 7 20 29 44 0 0 0 44 27 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 10 19 19 31 10 0 10 46 32 10
2017 Access to information and privacy 7 28 28 23 14 0 0 36 35 14
2017 Human resources 18 8 10 55 10 0 0 64 26 11
2017 Financial management 0 41 50 9 0 0 0 9 41 10
2017 Policy 9 27 55 0 9 0 0 9 36 11
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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).

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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 Compliance, inspection and enforcement 0 100 14
2017 Communications or public affairs 0 100 10
2017 Human resources 0 100 12
2014 Administration and operations 31 69 16
2014 Human resources 0 100 10