2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Canada Border Services Agency by Question 20.1. Occupational category (variable derived from question 20)

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 Executive 53 35 5 4 1 1 1 90 5 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 38 16 7 5 5 1 69 13 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 33 36 15 6 4 5 0 73 11 1088
2017 Technical 47 13 20 7 0 13 0 69 8 15
2017 Administrative Support 36 36 14 4 6 3 0 75 10 426
2017 Operational 27 36 16 10 7 3 1 65 18 4081
2017 Other 44 32 13 8 2 2 0 77 10 58
2014 Executive 49 37 7 7 0 1 0 86 7 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 26 34 20 6 2 11 1 67 10 158
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 36 34 17 4 3 6 1 75 7 1753
2014 Technical 42 25 21 4 8 0 0 67 11 28
2014 Administrative Support 36 33 16 5 4 6 1 73 10 781
2014 Operational 28 33 20 6 7 5 1 65 14 6006
2014 Other 54 31 9 2 3 2 0 87 4 222

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 Executive 39 44 4 7 5 0 0 84 12 130
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 41 13 13 6 0 0 68 19 143
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 42 12 12 7 0 0 68 20 1087
2017 Technical 33 33 7 20 7 0 0 67 27 15
2017 Administrative Support 33 38 10 9 9 0 0 71 19 425
2017 Operational 14 36 13 18 18 0 0 50 36 4070
2017 Other 46 35 11 3 6 0 0 80 9 58
2014 Executive 48 34 7 6 5 0 0 82 11 169
2014 Scientific and Professional 34 33 15 10 8 0 0 67 18 158
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 39 38 12 6 4 0 0 78 11 1753
2014 Technical 39 46 7 0 8 0 0 85 8 28
2014 Administrative Support 39 36 11 6 7 0 0 75 13 781
2014 Operational 23 35 16 13 12 0 0 59 26 6009
2014 Other 51 33 5 4 6 0 0 85 10 222

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 Executive 44 38 5 11 2 0 0 82 14 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 23 37 12 20 8 0 0 60 28 143
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 37 16 13 8 0 0 62 22 1090
2017 Technical 36 21 14 21 7 0 0 57 29 14
2017 Administrative Support 28 34 16 10 11 0 0 63 21 424
2017 Operational 13 31 17 20 20 0 0 44 40 4074
2017 Other 26 33 19 14 6 0 2 59 21 58
2014 Executive 48 31 6 9 5 0 1 79 14 169
2014 Scientific and Professional 28 37 12 11 12 0 0 65 23 157
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 27 39 15 11 7 0 0 66 19 1752
2014 Technical 39 25 11 11 15 0 0 64 25 28
2014 Administrative Support 24 39 17 10 9 1 0 63 19 780
2014 Operational 15 29 18 18 20 0 0 44 38 6009
2014 Other 32 27 14 15 11 0 1 60 26 223

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 Executive 37 42 7 10 5 0 0 79 14 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 20 32 15 22 8 2 0 53 31 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 18 36 17 16 11 1 0 55 28 1084
2017 Technical 13 20 33 27 7 0 0 33 33 15
2017 Administrative Support 20 35 19 11 13 2 1 56 24 426
2017 Operational 9 28 17 24 22 1 0 37 46 4079
2017 Other 24 34 15 19 8 0 0 57 27 58

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 Executive 33 33 14 10 8 0 2 68 19 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 37 37 11 9 4 1 1 75 14 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 34 31 13 11 9 1 0 66 20 1091
2017 Technical 64 29 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 14
2017 Administrative Support 32 32 17 10 8 1 1 65 18 425
2017 Operational 18 30 14 17 20 0 0 48 37 4079
2017 Other 46 29 16 2 3 2 2 78 5 58
2014 Executive 22 34 12 19 12 0 1 56 31 169
2014 Scientific and Professional 35 34 12 11 7 1 1 70 18 157
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 37 35 11 10 6 0 0 72 17 1749
2014 Technical 29 36 21 3 11 0 0 64 14 28
2014 Administrative Support 34 35 15 7 8 1 1 70 15 781
2014 Operational 20 30 15 16 18 0 0 50 34 6012
2014 Other 42 29 12 6 9 0 3 73 15 222

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 Executive 33 38 8 15 7 0 0 71 21 130
2017 Scientific and Professional 14 38 16 19 12 0 0 53 31 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 18 33 16 17 15 0 0 51 32 1087
2017 Technical 13 33 33 0 20 0 0 47 20 15
2017 Administrative Support 22 36 16 10 15 0 0 59 26 425
2017 Operational 9 28 15 22 26 0 0 37 48 4090
2017 Other 36 39 14 4 8 0 0 75 12 58
2014 Executive 38 29 11 12 9 0 0 67 21 169
2014 Scientific and Professional 16 31 21 17 15 0 0 47 32 158
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 20 36 19 14 10 0 0 56 25 1754
2014 Technical 25 39 14 7 15 0 0 64 22 28
2014 Administrative Support 25 35 18 11 10 1 0 60 22 780
2014 Operational 12 29 18 21 20 0 0 42 40 6009
2014 Other 38 33 14 8 7 0 0 71 16 222

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 Executive 54 35 5 2 4 0 0 89 6 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 33 40 12 8 7 0 0 73 15 143
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 29 40 15 8 8 0 0 69 16 1090
2017 Technical 40 27 20 13 0 0 0 67 13 15
2017 Administrative Support 29 40 12 10 8 0 0 69 19 426
2017 Operational 25 41 14 12 7 0 0 67 19 4094
2017 Other 40 40 11 8 1 0 0 80 9 58
2014 Executive 58 25 7 8 1 0 1 84 10 169
2014 Scientific and Professional 34 38 10 12 7 0 0 72 18 157
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 34 42 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 1752
2014 Technical 36 43 17 0 4 0 0 79 4 28
2014 Administrative Support 34 39 15 6 6 0 0 73 12 781
2014 Operational 32 40 14 7 6 0 0 73 14 6013
2014 Other 44 38 10 6 2 0 0 82 7 223
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 Executive 57 27 2 11 4 0 0 83 14 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 62 19 6 4 9 0 0 80 13 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 52 26 8 7 6 0 0 78 13 1091
2017 Technical 47 33 20 0 0 0 0 80 0 15
2017 Administrative Support 49 27 7 9 8 0 0 77 17 427
2017 Operational 35 31 10 11 12 0 0 67 23 4094
2017 Other 57 27 7 4 4 0 0 85 8 58

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 Executive 62 20 9 7 2 0 0 82 9 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 63 18 8 4 7 0 0 81 11 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 52 26 9 7 6 1 0 78 13 1088
2017 Technical 60 13 20 7 0 0 0 73 7 15
2017 Administrative Support 48 25 12 8 6 1 0 74 14 426
2017 Operational 36 29 13 9 11 1 0 66 20 4092
2017 Other 61 20 7 4 8 0 0 81 12 58

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 Executive 22 45 14 11 8 0 1 67 19 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 29 29 12 15 14 1 0 58 30 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 23 28 16 17 15 0 0 51 33 1089
2017 Technical 40 13 27 13 7 0 0 53 20 15
2017 Administrative Support 25 33 14 14 14 0 0 58 28 426
2017 Operational 12 25 14 20 28 0 0 37 49 4087
2017 Other 30 32 13 14 10 0 2 63 24 58

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 Executive 42 43 13 2 0 0 0 86 2 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 25 37 22 11 4 1 0 63 15 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 25 39 19 9 6 1 0 65 15 1085
2017 Technical 27 27 33 0 7 7 0 57 7 15
2017 Administrative Support 29 38 18 9 5 1 0 68 14 426
2017 Operational 17 35 20 14 13 0 0 52 28 4084
2017 Other 30 34 16 15 3 2 0 65 18 58

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 Executive 2 8 34 41 15 0 0 9 57 130
2017 Scientific and Professional 4 21 42 26 7 0 0 25 33 143
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 3 14 41 25 16 0 0 18 41 1084
2017 Technical 0 20 40 40 0 0 0 20 40 15
2017 Administrative Support 9 25 40 16 8 1 0 35 25 413
2017 Operational 2 17 40 25 16 0 0 19 41 4052
2017 Other 13 38 38 3 4 2 2 53 7 58

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 Executive 10 36 30 19 5 1 0 24 46 128
2017 Scientific and Professional 8 23 37 22 9 1 0 31 32 144
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 14 25 39 17 4 0 0 21 40 1080
2017 Technical 0 27 33 27 13 0 0 40 27 15
2017 Administrative Support 13 14 38 24 10 0 1 35 27 419
2017 Operational 14 28 39 15 5 0 0 19 42 4057
2017 Other 4 7 31 37 20 0 0 58 11 57
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 Executive 14 86 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 21 79 143
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 21 79 1087
2017 Technical 0 100 15
2017 Administrative Support 26 74 421
2017 Operational 32 68 4064
2017 Other 15 85 58
2014 Executive 13 87 168
2014 Scientific and Professional 18 82 157
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 18 82 1750
2014 Technical 18 82 28
2014 Administrative Support 22 78 779
2014 Operational 25 75 6001
2014 Other 12 88 222

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 26 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 48 30
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 50 225
2017 Administrative Support 61 111
2017 Operational 54 1291
2014 Scientific and Professional 33 28
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 45 313
2014 Administrative Support 68 168
2014 Operational 52 1512
2014 Other 78 26

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 53 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 63 30
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 64 225
2017 Administrative Support 63 111
2017 Operational 70 1291
2014 Executive 77 22
2014 Scientific and Professional 90 28
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 68 313
2014 Administrative Support 60 168
2014 Operational 67 1512
2014 Other 44 26

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 26 19
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 7 225
2017 Operational 8 1291
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 7 313
2014 Operational 8 1512
2014 Other 0 26

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 Executive 0 19
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 30
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 225
2017 Administrative Support 0 111
2017 Operational 7 1291
2014 Executive 0 22
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 28
2014 Administrative Support 0 168
2014 Operational 7 1512
2014 Other 0 26

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 5 225
2017 Operational 3 1291
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 4 313
2014 Administrative Support 5 168
2014 Operational 3 1512

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 19
2017 Administrative Support 9 111
2017 Operational 20 1291
2014 Executive 0 22
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 28
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 2 313
2014 Administrative Support 8 168
2014 Operational 23 1512
2014 Other 18 26

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 30
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 225
2017 Operational 2 1291
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 28
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 3 313
2014 Operational 4 1512
2014 Other 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 Executive 6 94 131
2017 Scientific and Professional 14 86 142
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 14 86 1088
2017 Administrative Support 15 85 425
2017 Operational 20 80 4078
2014 Scientific and Professional 7 93 158
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 8 92 1747
2014 Administrative Support 10 90 779
2014 Operational 14 86 6003
2014 Other 4 96 222

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 30 20
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 33 154
2017 Administrative Support 40 63
2017 Operational 37 831
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 34 131
2014 Administrative Support 43 79
2014 Operational 32 856

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 75 20
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 82 154
2017 Administrative Support 81 63
2017 Operational 83 831
2014 Scientific and Professional 91 11
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 80 131
2014 Administrative Support 80 79
2014 Operational 85 856

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 4 154
2017 Operational 3 831
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 4 131
2014 Operational 2 856

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 Scientific and Professional 0 20
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 154
2017 Administrative Support 0 63
2017 Operational 5 831
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 11
2014 Administrative Support 0 79
2014 Operational 4 856

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 8 154
2017 Operational 4 831
2014 Administrative Support 8 79
2014 Operational 4 856

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 6 154
2017 Operational 18 831
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 11
2014 Administrative Support 6 79
2014 Operational 15 856

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 20
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 9 154
2017 Administrative Support 10 63
2017 Operational 6 831
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 11 131
2014 Administrative Support 10 79
2014 Operational 8 856