2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service by Question 27. What is your first official language?

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

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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 First Offical Language - English 45 33 10 5 3 3 0 80 9 89716
2017 First Offical Language - French 41 39 10 4 2 3 1 82 7 38446
2014 First Offical Language - English 43 32 14 4 3 4 1 78 7 123176
2014 First Offical Language - French 35 41 14 3 2 5 1 80 5 56768

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 First Offical Language - English 36 37 9 10 7 0 0 73 18 89548
2017 First Offical Language - French 37 41 10 7 4 0 0 78 12 38401
2014 First Offical Language - English 44 34 10 7 5 0 0 78 11 123186
2014 First Offical Language - French 39 43 11 4 2 0 0 82 7 56724
2011 First Offical Language - English 38 37 12 7 6 0 0 75 13 134534
2011 First Offical Language - French 35 43 13 5 3 0 0 79 8 62112
2008 First Offical Language - English 34 38 12 9 6 0 0 73 15 112103
2008 First Offical Language - French 32 45 13 6 3 0 0 77 9 51350

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 First Offical Language - English 31 35 13 12 9 0 0 66 21 89542
2017 First Offical Language - French 29 37 16 11 6 0 0 67 17 38361
2014 First Offical Language - English 28 35 15 12 10 0 0 63 22 123235
2014 First Offical Language - French 25 37 18 11 7 0 0 63 18 56758

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 First Offical Language - English 23 35 15 15 11 1 0 59 26 89544
2017 First Offical Language - French 22 38 18 13 7 1 0 62 20 38385

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 First Offical Language - English 38 33 11 10 8 0 0 71 18 89626
2017 First Offical Language - French 36 36 13 8 5 0 1 74 13 38405
2014 First Offical Language - English 38 33 11 10 7 0 0 71 18 123180
2014 First Offical Language - French 34 36 15 8 5 0 1 71 14 56747
2011 First Offical Language - English 39 36 10 9 6 0 0 75 15 134794
2011 First Offical Language - French 36 37 14 8 4 1 2 74 12 62268

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 First Offical Language - English 28 36 13 13 11 0 0 64 23 89698
2017 First Offical Language - French 28 40 16 9 7 0 0 68 16 38420
2014 First Offical Language - English 28 35 15 13 9 0 0 63 22 123235
2014 First Offical Language - French 25 40 20 10 5 0 0 65 15 56768
2011 First Offical Language - English 27 37 15 12 8 0 0 64 20 134595
2011 First Offical Language - French 26 41 19 9 4 0 0 67 13 62188
2008 First Offical Language - English 28 38 13 12 7 0 0 67 20 112113
2008 First Offical Language - French 27 43 17 9 4 0 0 70 13 51370

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 First Offical Language - English 39 39 10 8 5 0 0 78 12 89716
2017 First Offical Language - French 38 43 11 5 3 0 0 81 8 38448
2014 First Offical Language - English 41 38 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 123193
2014 First Offical Language - French 36 44 12 5 3 0 0 80 8 56713
2011 First Offical Language - English 41 40 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 134865
2011 First Offical Language - French 41 43 9 5 2 0 0 84 7 62282
2008 First Offical Language - English 42 41 8 6 3 0 0 83 9 112196
2008 First Offical Language - French 41 44 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 51371
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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 First Offical Language - English 53 26 7 7 7 0 0 79 14 89799
2017 First Offical Language - French 52 29 8 6 5 0 0 81 11 38483

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 First Offical Language - English 53 25 9 6 6 1 0 78 12 89661
2017 First Offical Language - French 51 28 10 5 5 1 0 80 10 38409

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 First Offical Language - English 28 31 12 14 15 0 0 59 29 89702
2017 First Offical Language - French 28 35 15 12 10 0 0 63 22 38425

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 First Offical Language - English 29 35 18 10 7 1 0 64 18 89620
2017 First Offical Language - French 28 37 19 9 5 2 0 67 14 38355

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 First Offical Language - English 4 19 41 22 12 0 0 24 34 88656
2017 First Offical Language - French 5 19 43 22 10 0 0 24 33 38174

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 First Offical Language - English 11 23 41 18 6 0 0 24 35 88655
2017 First Offical Language - French 7 21 40 22 9 0 0 31 29 38105
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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 First Offical Language - English 23 77 89046
2017 First Offical Language - French 19 81 37948
2014 First Offical Language - English 20 80 123045
2014 First Offical Language - French 17 83 56716

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 51 19441
2017 First Offical Language - French 48 6828
2014 First Offical Language - English 51 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 48 9134

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 65 19442
2017 First Offical Language - French 64 6829
2014 First Offical Language - English 63 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 62 9134

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 7 19441
2017 First Offical Language - French 8 6827
2014 First Offical Language - English 7 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 7 9134

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 First Offical Language - English 6 19440
2017 First Offical Language - French 3 6827
2014 First Offical Language - English 5 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 3 9134

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 7 19440
2017 First Offical Language - French 5 6826
2014 First Offical Language - English 5 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 3 9134

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 11 19440
2017 First Offical Language - French 6 6827
2014 First Offical Language - English 10 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 5 9134

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 4 19439
2017 First Offical Language - French 4 6825
2014 First Offical Language - English 4 23084
2014 First Offical Language - French 4 9134
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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 First Offical Language - English 13 87 89438
2017 First Offical Language - French 11 89 38311
2014 First Offical Language - English 9 91 122985
2014 First Offical Language - French 7 93 56701

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 37 10913
2017 First Offical Language - French 33 3873
2014 First Offical Language - English 37 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 35 3690

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 79 10914
2017 First Offical Language - French 80 3874
2014 First Offical Language - English 79 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 81 3690

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 4 10913
2017 First Offical Language - French 4 3873
2014 First Offical Language - English 3 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 4 3690

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 First Offical Language - English 5 10911
2017 First Offical Language - French 3 3873
2014 First Offical Language - English 3 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 2 3690

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 9 10913
2017 First Offical Language - French 6 3873
2014 First Offical Language - English 7 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 5 3690

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 10 10913
2017 First Offical Language - French 6 3873
2014 First Offical Language - English 9 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 5 3690

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 First Offical Language - English 7 10914
2017 First Offical Language - French 7 3872
2014 First Offical Language - English 8 10039
2014 First Offical Language - French 8 3690