2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Micro-Organizations Combined by Question 25. In total, how many years have you been working in your current department or agency?

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

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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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 58 25 6 5 3 3 1 86 8 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 29 12 5 4 3 1 77 10 370
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 34 7 0 4 2 0 89 4 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 62 32 3 0 0 0 3 97 0 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 56 27 6 4 1 6 1 89 5 304
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 33 12 4 2 4 1 81 7 540
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 31 10 6 5 3 0 79 11 145
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 50 29 15 6 0 0 0 79 6 52

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 current department or agency 63 27 4 3 4 0 0 90 7 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 43 33 7 10 6 0 0 77 16 371
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 34 6 7 3 0 0 84 10 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 61 27 8 4 0 0 0 88 4 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 73 19 5 2 2 0 0 92 4 304
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 53 32 8 4 3 0 0 86 7 540
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 37 5 6 6 1 0 84 11 145
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 50 42 2 4 0 0 2 94 4 52

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 current department or agency 54 25 9 7 5 0 0 79 12 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 42 29 10 12 8 0 0 71 19 369
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 36 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 48 0 4 0 0 0 96 4 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 48 32 11 7 1 0 1 81 8 304
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 35 11 8 6 0 1 74 15 539
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 38 32 10 13 6 0 1 70 19 145
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 37 15 4 2 0 2 78 6 52

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 current department or agency 44 30 11 9 5 0 0 74 14 310
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 29 36 14 10 12 0 0 64 22 370
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 29 11 10 6 2 0 73 16 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 38 43 15 4 0 0 0 80 4 23

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 current department or agency 62 22 5 6 3 1 1 85 9 312
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 50 27 8 7 7 0 0 77 15 370
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 57 32 6 3 3 0 0 88 6 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 37 4 3 0 0 0 93 3 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 59 24 6 7 2 0 2 85 9 304
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 30 9 6 5 0 1 80 11 539
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 28 9 6 10 0 1 75 16 145
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 46 4 6 2 0 0 88 8 52

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 current department or agency 55 28 6 5 5 1 0 83 10 312
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 30 13 12 8 0 0 67 20 369
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 47 33 6 10 4 0 0 79 14 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 58 35 4 0 3 0 0 93 3 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 53 30 9 6 2 0 0 83 8 303
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 28 13 12 6 0 0 69 18 540
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 37 12 10 6 1 0 72 15 145
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 44 31 17 8 0 0 0 75 8 52

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 current department or agency 56 28 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 36 12 5 3 0 0 79 8 370
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 59 28 12 0 1 0 0 87 1 73
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 59 30 8 0 3 0 0 89 3 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 54 36 5 4 1 0 0 90 5 304
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 31 10 7 4 0 1 80 10 539
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 30 12 3 4 0 0 80 8 145
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 62 29 6 4 0 0 0 90 4 52
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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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 66 22 5 4 3 0 1 88 7 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 53 25 6 7 8 0 1 79 15 371
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 69 19 3 6 3 0 1 89 9 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 64 19 5 7 0 0 4 87 8 23

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 current department or agency 71 16 6 4 4 0 1 87 7 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 55 24 6 5 8 1 1 80 14 369
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 69 20 4 3 3 0 1 90 6 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 70 9 9 8 0 0 4 82 8 22

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 current department or agency 49 30 8 7 7 0 0 79 14 312
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 29 11 14 14 0 0 60 28 370
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 35 4 12 6 0 0 78 18 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 38 36 18 8 0 0 0 74 8 22

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 current department or agency 43 32 15 5 4 1 0 76 9 311
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 30 31 15 13 9 2 0 62 22 369
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 45 26 20 3 5 2 0 72 8 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 56 23 13 7 0 0 0 80 7 23

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 current department or agency 9 29 41 15 5 0 0 39 21 311
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 20 44 22 8 0 0 26 30 367
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 25 39 19 7 1 0 33 27 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 15 62 8 5 0 0 25 13 21

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 current department or agency 7 9 36 28 19 1 0 47 16 309
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 10 18 41 19 11 0 0 30 28 362
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 12 45 21 14 0 1 36 18 73
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 10 51 19 7 0 0 25 24 22
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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).

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 current department or agency 15 85 308
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 22 78 368
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 74
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 12 88 303
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 19 81 540
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 145

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 49 48
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 85
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 58 12
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 26 35
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 61 99
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 23

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 68 48
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 68 85
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 80 35
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 58 99
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 61 23

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 48
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 12
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 35
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23

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 current department or agency 8 85
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 12

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 85
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 35

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 12
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 23
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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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 94 313
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 371
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 90 74
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 100 23
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 96 303
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 93 539
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 143

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 37 19
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 45 11
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 37

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 73 19
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 79 47
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 82 11
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 89 37

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 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 19
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 11