2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Micro-Organizations Combined 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.

Micro-organizations are those that have fewer than 150 employees at the time of the survey. In order to protect the confidentiality of employees, demographic breakdowns of results are not provided for individual micro-organizations; results by demographics are provided only for all micro-organizations combined. Further, results for individual micro-organizations are provided only if the number of respondents to a question is sufficient to ensure the anonymity of respondents.

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 63 23 6 2 2 2 2 90 4 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 33 10 6 2 3 1 81 8 308
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 28 11 4 5 4 0 79 9 233
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 62 20 5 4 4 3 1 87 8 141
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 24 5 2 0 3 2 92 2 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 32 11 5 2 5 1 81 7 459
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 32 9 3 4 3 2 83 7 286
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 27 11 5 1 4 0 82 7 206

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 69 21 5 2 3 0 0 90 5 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 36 8 8 3 0 0 82 10 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 30 4 7 7 0 0 82 14 233
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 25 4 7 7 0 0 82 14 141
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 79 14 3 3 0 0 0 93 3 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 32 7 5 2 0 0 87 7 459
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 29 8 2 5 0 0 85 7 286
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 58 31 4 3 3 0 0 90 6 206
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 66 23 5 2 3 1 1 90 5 150
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 34 11 7 5 0 0 77 12 383
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 31 12 6 6 0 0 76 12 209
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 34 7 4 5 0 1 84 8 239
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 29 7 4 1 1 0 88 5 121
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 33 13 9 5 0 1 73 14 251
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 38 8 3 6 0 1 83 9 125
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 34 9 4 7 0 0 80 11 181

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 46 27 13 9 4 0 0 74 13 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 31 9 10 5 0 0 75 16 308
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 28 8 8 7 0 0 76 16 233
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 25 6 8 5 0 0 82 13 140
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 38 10 4 1 0 2 84 6 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 38 12 9 5 0 0 75 13 458
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 31 10 10 6 0 0 74 16 286
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 28 12 6 4 0 1 77 11 206

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 43 29 14 10 3 0 1 72 14 95
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 36 14 9 9 0 0 68 18 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 33 12 9 11 1 0 68 20 232
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 29 9 12 5 0 0 74 17 140

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 67 18 7 3 2 1 1 87 5 96
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 30 8 8 4 0 0 80 12 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 29 4 7 8 0 0 81 15 232
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 67 17 7 4 5 0 1 84 9 141
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 57 29 7 5 0 0 2 88 6 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 28 8 8 4 0 1 79 12 459
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 29 6 6 7 0 1 80 14 286
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 32 8 4 4 0 1 84 8 205
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 31 6 5 3 1 3 85 8 152
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 28 9 11 5 0 1 74 16 384
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 35 6 12 4 0 2 77 16 209
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 28 11 7 4 0 3 77 11 240

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 56 23 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 35 12 9 5 0 0 74 14 308
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 29 8 10 9 1 0 73 19 232
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 24 5 8 7 0 0 80 15 140
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 60 26 6 8 1 0 0 86 9 90
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 29 13 11 5 0 0 71 16 459
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 33 13 9 5 0 0 73 14 286
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 30 11 10 3 1 0 76 13 206
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 30 11 6 3 1 1 79 10 152
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 33 15 13 10 1 0 61 23 382
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 30 13 12 7 0 0 67 19 207
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 36 13 8 8 1 0 71 16 240
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 35 14 7 2 1 0 76 10 123
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 32 18 12 6 0 0 65 18 251
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 35 10 10 5 1 0 76 15 125
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 32 9 8 7 0 0 76 14 180

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 54 28 10 4 3 0 0 82 7 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 38 11 5 2 0 0 82 6 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 30 10 5 5 0 0 80 10 232
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 62 24 7 3 3 0 0 87 6 140
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 37 5 3 1 0 0 90 4 91
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 47 35 8 6 3 0 0 82 10 458
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 33 10 6 3 0 1 81 9 286
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 63 24 7 3 2 0 0 87 5 206
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 34 7 6 3 0 0 85 8 152
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 44 8 6 3 0 0 82 10 384
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 34 6 8 4 0 0 82 12 209
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 37 5 4 2 0 0 88 6 239
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 28 15 7 0 1 0 78 7 123
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 42 13 4 3 0 0 80 7 250
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 44 8 6 2 0 0 85 7 125
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 35 7 5 3 0 0 85 8 181
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 63 24 6 3 3 0 1 88 6 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 27 6 6 4 0 1 84 10 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 62 18 5 7 8 0 0 80 16 233
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 62 21 3 5 7 0 3 85 12 141

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 68 20 6 4 1 0 1 88 5 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 59 25 6 5 4 0 1 85 10 308
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 16 7 4 9 1 0 80 13 233
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 66 15 4 5 6 1 3 84 11 139

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 55 27 8 4 6 0 0 82 10 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 29 13 12 10 0 0 65 22 308
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 30 6 13 13 1 0 68 26 232
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 33 7 7 9 0 0 77 16 140

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 49 29 14 5 2 1 0 79 7 96
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 32 19 12 6 1 0 63 17 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 33 13 10 9 2 0 68 19 232
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 24 13 4 6 1 0 77 10 140

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 12 34 41 12 2 0 0 45 14 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 23 44 20 5 0 0 31 25 307
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 22 42 20 10 1 0 28 30 231
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 21 42 19 10 0 0 29 29 137

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 9 4 32 31 24 1 0 55 12 96
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 16 40 23 15 0 0 38 22 304
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 14 41 22 10 1 0 33 26 229
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 17 44 16 12 0 2 29 26 137
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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 10 90 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 80 308
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 228
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 83 139
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 459
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 285
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 206

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 48 63
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 51
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 55 77
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 56
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 25

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 66 63
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 71 51
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 66 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 62 77
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 59 56
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 68 25

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 63
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 51
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 25

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 10 63
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 25

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 15 51
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 25

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 25
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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 7 93 97
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 90 309
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 233
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 141
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 94 459
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 284
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 204

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 33
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 26
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 19

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 82 33
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 75 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 88 26
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 95 19
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 85 13

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 33
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 26
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 13

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 33
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 14
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 26
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 19
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 13