2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service 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 30 7 3 2 3 0 87 5 15365
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 35 11 6 3 3 0 80 9 43056
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 37 11 5 4 3 0 79 9 43821
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 35 10 5 3 2 0 82 8 26532
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 27 8 2 1 5 1 88 4 14460
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 34 14 4 2 5 1 79 7 68600
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 36 15 4 3 4 1 77 8 53965
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 14 4 3 4 1 78 7 40532

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 60 29 5 4 2 0 0 89 6 15360
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 39 9 9 6 0 0 75 15 43012
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 41 11 11 7 0 0 71 18 43733
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 40 10 10 8 0 0 72 18 26451
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 66 26 5 2 1 0 0 92 3 14460
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 37 10 5 3 0 0 81 9 68589
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 53953
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 38 11 7 5 0 0 77 11 40516
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 33 7 3 2 0 0 88 5 24829
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 40 12 6 4 0 0 77 11 77682
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 40 14 8 6 0 0 72 14 46035
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 39 13 8 6 0 0 72 14 46719
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 37 8 4 2 0 0 87 6 27118
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 41 13 8 5 0 0 74 13 58259
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 42 14 9 7 0 0 69 17 36585
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 40 13 9 7 0 0 71 16 40190

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 43 32 12 7 4 0 0 76 12 15332
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 35 14 12 8 0 0 66 20 42976
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 36 15 13 9 0 0 64 22 43734
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 36 14 11 9 0 0 65 20 26467
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 35 16 9 5 1 1 70 14 14469
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 36 16 12 9 0 0 63 21 68608
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 36 15 13 10 0 0 62 22 53980
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 36 15 12 9 0 0 64 21 40550

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 33 37 14 9 5 2 0 71 14 15332
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 36 16 14 10 1 0 59 25 43006
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 36 16 16 11 1 0 57 27 43727
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 36 17 14 11 1 0 58 25 26473

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 51 29 10 6 3 1 1 81 9 15341
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 34 12 9 7 0 0 72 17 43005
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 35 12 10 9 0 0 69 19 43779
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 35 13 10 8 0 1 70 17 26510
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 30 11 5 3 1 2 80 8 14466
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 34 13 9 7 0 1 71 16 68582
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 34 12 11 8 0 0 69 19 53961
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 13 10 7 0 1 71 17 40531
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 33 11 5 3 1 1 81 8 24864
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 36 11 9 5 0 1 75 14 77810
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 37 11 9 7 0 1 73 16 46149
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 37 12 9 6 0 1 73 15 46852

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 46 35 9 6 4 0 0 81 9 15350
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 38 14 12 9 0 0 65 21 43068
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 37 15 13 11 0 0 61 24 43806
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 36 14 13 11 0 0 62 24 26503
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 34 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 14466
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 37 17 12 7 0 0 65 19 68613
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 37 18 13 9 0 0 60 22 53983
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 36 17 13 9 0 0 62 22 40549
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 37 12 7 3 0 0 78 10 24843
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 39 17 11 6 0 0 66 18 77685
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 38 18 13 8 0 0 61 21 46090
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 38 17 12 8 0 0 62 20 46779
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 38 11 7 3 0 0 80 9 27123
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 41 15 12 6 0 0 67 18 58257
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 40 16 13 8 0 0 64 20 36604
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 39 14 12 8 0 0 65 20 40201

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 52 33 7 5 2 0 0 86 7 15359
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 41 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 43078
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 41 12 8 5 0 0 76 12 43804
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 40 10 7 4 0 0 78 12 26528
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 35 8 3 2 0 0 87 5 14462
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 12 6 4 0 0 78 10 68582
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 40 12 7 4 0 0 77 10 53952
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 39 10 5 3 0 0 81 9 40525
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 37 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 24874
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 42 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 77849
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 42 9 6 3 0 0 81 9 46173
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 41 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 46864
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 40 8 5 2 0 0 85 7 27125
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 43 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 58288
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 43 8 6 3 0 0 83 9 36613
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 40 7 5 3 0 0 84 8 40234
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 65 22 5 4 4 0 0 87 8 15365
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 27 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 43107
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 28 8 8 7 0 0 77 15 43873
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 29 8 7 7 0 0 78 14 26547

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 65 21 7 4 3 1 0 87 7 15344
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 26 9 5 6 1 0 79 11 43054
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 27 10 6 6 1 0 77 13 43794
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 27 11 6 6 1 0 77 13 26483

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 45 31 10 8 5 0 0 77 13 15347
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 32 13 14 14 0 0 59 28 43054
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 32 14 15 15 0 0 56 31 43824
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 26 32 14 14 14 0 0 58 28 26515

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 37 33 17 7 3 2 0 72 11 15339
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 35 19 11 7 1 0 63 18 43026
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 36 18 11 7 1 0 63 18 43774
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 36 18 9 6 1 0 66 16 26449

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 10 33 39 12 4 0 0 44 16 15262
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 21 43 21 11 0 0 25 32 42750
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 15 42 25 14 0 0 18 39 43350
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 15 42 26 14 0 0 18 40 26062

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 5 12 37 28 16 0 1 45 17 15256
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 22 41 20 7 0 0 27 31 42694
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 26 41 16 5 0 0 21 38 43284
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 26 40 16 5 0 0 21 38 26131
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 11 89 15279
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 23 77 42733
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 75 43410
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 26164
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 10 90 14461
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 68527
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 53918
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 40497

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 60 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 9152
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 10132
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 5465
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 66 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 6797

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 the federal public service 49 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 62 9153
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 68 10133
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 67 5465
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 65 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 65 6797

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 9152
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 10131
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 5465
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 2 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 6797

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 the federal public service 3 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 9152
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 10131
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 5464
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 6797

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 6 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 9152
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 10130
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 5464
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 5 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 6797

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 12 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 9152
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 10131
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 5464
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 11 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 6797

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 1617
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 9152
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 10130
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 5462
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 1324
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 12835
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 10625
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 6797
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 6 94 15325
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 87 42962
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 43650
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 26399
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 96 14467
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 92 68504
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 53896
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 92 40463

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 5339
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 5712
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 2932
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 2918

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 the federal public service 58 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 76 5339
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 82 5715
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 84 2932
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 78 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 83 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 82 2918

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 5339
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 5712
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 2932
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 2 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 2918

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 the federal public service 2 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 5338
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 5711
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 2932
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 4 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 2918

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 11 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 5339
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 5712
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 2932
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 8 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 2918

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 18 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 5339
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 5712
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 2932
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 16 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 2918

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 10 869
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 5339
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 5712
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 2931
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 9 555
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 5420
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 4534
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 2918