2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Infrastructure Canada 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

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 28 9 4 0 4 0 86 4 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 40 8 6 4 2 0 82 10 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 32 9 4 4 3 1 82 8 109
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 34 10 3 3 4 0 84 6 31
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 69 20 0 5 0 5 0 95 5 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 33 12 0 2 3 1 86 2 149
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 29 10 3 4 3 0 83 7 100
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 19 19 0 3 6 0 77 3 32

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 70 22 4 4 0 0 0 92 4 24
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 38 8 10 5 0 0 76 15 107
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 38 11 9 6 2 0 73 16 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 36 7 6 10 0 0 77 16 31
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 89 11 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 35 6 2 2 0 0 90 4 149
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 31 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 99
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 65 13 10 6 6 0 0 78 12 32
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 31 2 0 0 0 0 98 0 44
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 39 9 5 4 1 0 83 8 172
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 35 9 6 2 0 0 83 8 53
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 22 6 9 3 0 0 82 12 32
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 68 24 8 0 0 0 0 92 0 37
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 31 10 3 5 2 0 82 8 101
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 50 9 0 5 0 0 86 5 22
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 41 3 8 3 0 0 86 11 37

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 55 32 3 9 0 0 0 88 9 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 33 17 12 9 0 0 63 20 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 32 16 10 9 1 0 65 18 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 35 18 3 10 0 0 69 13 31
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 24 15 0 0 0 0 85 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 44 12 7 7 1 0 74 14 148
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 36 12 10 2 0 0 76 12 100
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 44 6 10 6 0 0 78 16 32

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 35 48 5 12 0 0 0 83 12 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 40 12 14 11 1 0 62 26 106
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 39 11 16 10 0 0 63 26 109
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 30 26 3 10 3 0 60 14 31

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 37 48 5 3 8 0 0 84 11 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 32 10 11 11 1 0 68 23 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 35 11 15 7 1 0 67 22 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 25 6 20 10 0 0 64 30 31
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 27 0 6 0 0 0 94 6 15
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 37 8 9 5 1 0 77 15 148
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 31 12 13 4 0 0 71 17 100
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 31 6 10 16 0 0 69 25 32
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 66 25 2 5 0 2 0 93 5 44
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 37 9 8 2 0 0 81 11 171
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 37 9 4 4 0 0 83 7 53
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 38 10 6 6 0 0 78 12 32

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 50 36 4 11 0 0 0 85 11 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 33 8 21 10 0 0 61 30 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 36 12 11 12 1 0 63 24 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 32 21 10 3 0 0 66 13 31
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 65 30 6 0 0 0 0 94 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 38 13 7 5 1 0 75 12 149
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 40 11 11 2 1 0 76 13 100
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 35 9 6 6 3 0 77 13 32
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 45 3 7 0 0 0 91 7 44
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 38 10 10 4 0 0 76 14 172
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 41 11 6 2 0 0 82 8 53
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 31 12 12 0 0 0 76 12 32
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 43 3 11 0 0 0 86 11 37
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 28 10 12 7 3 0 70 19 101
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 45 18 9 0 0 0 73 9 22
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 35 5 8 11 0 0 76 19 37

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 41 52 4 3 0 0 0 93 3 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 40 10 10 6 0 0 74 16 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 32 14 9 10 1 0 67 19 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 48 10 11 0 0 0 79 11 31
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 20 16 0 0 0 0 84 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 47 12 6 5 0 0 76 12 148
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 43 12 4 1 0 0 83 5 100
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 26 13 3 6 0 0 78 9 32
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 57 37 4 2 0 0 0 93 2 44
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 41 12 6 3 0 0 79 9 171
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 47 5 0 2 0 0 93 2 53
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 41 6 6 3 3 3 84 10 32
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 32 57 11 0 0 0 0 89 0 37
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 34 13 8 9 0 0 70 17 101
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 32 9 18 0 0 0 73 18 22
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 54 8 3 8 0 0 81 11 37
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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 66 31 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 23 8 7 9 0 0 76 16 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 24 14 4 8 1 0 74 12 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 30 3 11 0 0 0 86 11 31

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 82 18 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 19 7 7 8 0 0 77 16 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 55 18 13 6 7 1 0 73 13 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 22 20 3 0 3 0 77 3 31

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 40 44 3 0 12 0 0 84 12 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 29 10 20 14 0 0 56 34 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 27 7 21 17 2 0 54 39 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 34 22 21 0 0 0 57 21 31

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 28 49 6 13 0 4 0 80 14 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 38 16 9 10 0 0 66 18 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 26 19 10 7 3 2 62 18 109
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 30 21 6 6 3 0 65 13 31

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 9 38 38 11 3 0 0 48 15 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 15 38 27 16 0 0 19 43 107
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 7 39 30 20 1 0 10 50 106
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 0 48 39 13 0 0 0 52 30

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 7 12 36 31 14 0 0 45 19 25
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 28 41 14 3 1 0 16 43 107
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 30 36 11 4 0 1 16 48 110
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 49 31 8 6 0 0 14 55 30
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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 79 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 77 106
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 30
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 149
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 100
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 32

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 39 22
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 25
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 69 22
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 78 25
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 73 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 87 14

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 22
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 14

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 22
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 14

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 14
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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 89 108
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 108
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 148
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 100

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 100 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 72 10

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10

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 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 12
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10

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