2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Employment and Social Development Canada 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

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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 the federal public service 57 30 6 3 2 2 0 89 5 2244
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 36 9 5 3 2 0 82 9 3885
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 36 10 5 4 3 0 81 9 3593
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 36 9 4 3 2 1 84 7 2312
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 57 25 8 2 1 5 1 88 3 1241
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 34 14 4 3 5 0 77 8 5511
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 36 14 4 3 6 1 77 7 4679
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 39 14 3 3 5 1 79 6 3600

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 61 30 4 3 2 0 0 91 5 2242
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 41 10 8 5 0 0 78 13 3870
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 43 11 8 6 0 0 75 15 3581
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 42 9 10 7 0 0 75 16 2297
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 71 22 4 1 1 0 0 94 2 1241
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 39 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 5512
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 40 12 7 4 0 0 77 11 4682
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 41 11 7 4 1 0 78 10 3599
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 32 10 5 3 1 0 82 8 2113
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 40 13 7 4 1 0 76 11 5828
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 41 15 8 7 1 0 70 15 4365
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 41 15 8 7 1 0 70 15 4412
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 38 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 2050
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 29 43 14 8 5 1 0 72 14 4656
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 42 16 10 8 1 0 66 18 3566
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 41 15 10 8 1 0 66 18 4325

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 34 34 16 10 5 0 1 69 15 2240
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 36 16 13 9 0 0 62 22 3875
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 38 15 13 8 0 0 64 21 3582
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 38 15 11 8 0 0 66 19 2305
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 29 33 18 10 8 1 2 63 18 1243
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 33 19 15 11 0 0 54 26 5513
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 34 17 14 11 0 0 58 25 4684
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 36 18 13 10 0 1 59 23 3606

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 28 37 17 11 5 3 1 67 16 2239
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 37 17 15 10 1 0 57 26 3873
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 38 16 16 11 1 0 57 27 3587
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 37 18 13 10 1 0 58 24 2308

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 45 32 12 6 4 1 1 78 10 2238
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 36 14 10 7 0 1 69 17 3875
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 36 12 10 9 0 0 68 19 3589
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 36 12 11 9 0 1 67 20 2312
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 30 12 5 3 1 2 80 8 1242
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 34 14 10 8 0 1 67 18 5512
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 35 13 11 9 0 1 67 20 4682
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 36 14 10 8 0 1 68 19 3601
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 34 11 7 4 1 1 77 11 2119
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 36 12 10 6 0 1 72 16 5840
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 38 11 10 7 0 1 72 17 4376
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 38 12 10 7 0 1 71 17 4430

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 42 38 10 7 3 0 0 80 10 2238
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 39 15 13 8 0 0 64 20 3876
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 40 16 13 9 0 0 62 22 3585
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 39 14 12 10 0 0 64 22 2310
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 37 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 1243
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 37 19 14 7 0 0 59 22 5514
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 37 21 15 9 1 0 56 24 4682
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 39 19 13 9 0 0 59 21 3603
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 32 37 16 10 6 0 0 69 16 2114
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 37 19 14 8 1 0 59 22 5826
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 36 20 14 10 1 0 55 25 4368
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 38 20 13 10 1 0 57 23 4412
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 36 41 12 7 3 0 0 78 10 2047
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 21 40 18 14 7 0 0 61 21 4652
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 39 18 15 8 0 0 59 23 3567
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 21 39 17 14 9 0 0 60 23 4324

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 46 37 8 6 3 0 0 83 9 2245
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 42 12 7 4 0 0 76 12 3879
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 43 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 3586
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 41 11 7 4 0 0 78 11 2311
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 37 10 4 3 0 0 84 7 1240
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 42 14 8 5 0 0 73 13 5510
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 42 13 7 5 0 0 74 12 4681
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 41 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 3602
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 38 11 7 5 0 0 77 12 2118
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 42 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 5843
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 42 11 7 4 0 0 78 12 4377
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 43 8 6 4 0 0 82 10 4431
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 41 10 6 3 0 0 80 9 2051
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 43 9 8 4 0 0 78 12 4656
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 43 9 8 4 0 0 79 12 3573
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 42 9 6 3 0 0 82 10 4335
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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 the federal public service 62 23 6 5 3 0 0 86 8 2246
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 30 8 7 5 0 0 80 12 3888
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 29 8 7 7 0 0 78 15 3594
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 30 7 7 7 0 0 80 14 2311

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 62 23 8 4 3 1 0 86 7 2243
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 29 10 6 4 1 0 80 10 3884
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 28 10 6 6 1 0 78 13 3579
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 27 10 6 6 1 0 78 12 2309

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 40 35 11 9 5 1 0 75 14 2244
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 23 33 15 16 13 0 0 57 29 3884
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 34 14 15 15 0 0 56 30 3588
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 33 13 15 14 0 0 58 29 2311

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 40 34 15 6 3 1 0 76 9 2241
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 35 17 10 8 1 0 64 19 3882
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 37 16 9 7 1 0 67 16 3585
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 37 15 8 6 1 0 71 13 2301

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 11 30 38 15 5 0 0 41 21 2229
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 20 41 23 11 0 0 24 35 3852
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 16 43 25 13 0 0 19 38 3557
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 15 40 26 16 0 0 18 42 2280

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 8 15 38 24 14 0 1 39 23 2227
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 23 40 17 7 0 0 24 36 3850
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 26 39 15 5 0 0 20 40 3550
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 28 39 13 5 0 0 18 43 2270
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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 the federal public service 11 89 2240
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 78 3864
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 76 3561
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 2291
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 8 92 1239
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 17 83 5503
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 4679
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 84 3603

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 55 254
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 851
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 505
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 97
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 895
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 578

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 41 254
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 60 851
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 67 850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 66 505
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 97
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 60 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 63 895
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 62 578

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 4 254
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 851
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 505
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 895
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 578

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 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 850
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 1 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 895

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 4 254
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 851
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 505
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 895
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 578

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 20 254
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 851
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 13 850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 505
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 19 97
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 895
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 578

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 3 254
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 851
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 505
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 928
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 895
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 578
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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 the federal public service 7 93 2241
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 3876
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 3583
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 88 2306
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 97 1241
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 92 5498
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 4671
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 3605

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 37 151
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 560
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 480
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 280
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 62 36
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 453
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 407
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 229

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 59 151
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 77 560
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 80 481
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 79 280
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 60 36
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 77 453
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 85 407
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 80 229

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 3 151
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 560
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 480
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 280
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 36
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 2 453
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 407
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 229

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 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 280
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 407

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 10 151
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 560
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 480
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 280
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 453
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 407
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 229

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 28 151
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 560
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 480
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 280
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 27 36
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 453
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 407
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 229

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 7 151
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 560
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 480
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 280
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 453
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 407
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 229