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

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 53 31 7 4 2 3 0 87 6 3685
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 42 37 10 5 3 3 0 81 9 4362
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 43 35 10 5 4 2 0 80 10 2654
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 44 38 9 3 3 2 1 85 6 1333
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 50 27 11 2 2 7 1 84 4 2607
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 36 15 4 3 4 1 77 8 6612
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 36 15 4 3 5 1 77 8 3679
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 40 14 3 3 4 1 80 6 2176

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 55 33 6 4 2 0 0 88 7 3677
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 43 10 9 6 0 0 76 14 4343
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 43 11 9 7 0 0 73 15 2645
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 45 9 9 7 0 0 75 16 1325
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 61 29 6 3 2 0 0 90 4 2606
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 39 11 6 4 0 0 79 9 6612
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 40 12 7 4 1 0 76 12 3681
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 34 43 13 7 3 1 0 77 10 2178

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 33 35 15 10 6 0 1 69 16 3678
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 36 16 13 9 0 0 61 22 4347
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 25 38 16 13 9 0 0 63 21 2646
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 39 15 11 8 0 1 65 20 1331
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 28 34 18 10 8 1 1 63 19 2610
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 33 19 15 11 0 0 55 26 6613
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 34 17 14 11 0 0 57 26 3684
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 20 37 19 13 11 0 1 57 24 2181

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 27 37 16 11 6 2 1 66 18 3679
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 18 37 17 16 11 1 0 56 27 4343
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 38 17 16 11 1 0 56 27 2653
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 18 37 18 14 11 1 0 56 25 1332

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 43 32 12 7 4 1 1 76 11 3677
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 30 37 13 10 8 0 1 68 19 4352
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 36 12 11 9 0 0 68 20 2652
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 30 35 13 11 9 0 1 66 21 1333
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 42 32 12 7 5 1 2 76 12 2609
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 32 35 14 11 8 0 1 67 19 6614
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 31 35 13 11 9 0 1 67 20 3680
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 36 15 11 8 0 1 66 19 2175

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 38 38 11 8 4 0 0 76 12 3677
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 23 39 16 13 9 0 0 62 22 4349
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 21 39 16 14 9 0 0 61 23 2650
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 41 15 11 11 0 0 64 21 1333
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 37 37 13 8 4 1 0 74 12 2610
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 19 38 20 14 8 0 0 57 23 6614
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 18 37 20 15 9 1 0 56 24 3681
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 19 39 20 13 8 0 0 59 21 2179

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 43 38 9 6 3 0 0 81 9 3686
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 42 12 8 5 0 0 75 13 4353
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 42 12 8 5 0 0 76 12 2651
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 37 42 11 7 4 0 0 79 11 1331
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 41 38 10 6 4 0 0 80 10 2603
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 42 14 8 5 0 0 73 13 6614
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 41 14 7 5 0 0 74 12 3679
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 37 44 11 5 3 0 0 80 9 2178
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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 60 24 7 5 4 0 0 84 9 3687
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 48 30 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 4364
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 29 7 8 7 0 0 77 15 2657
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 49 31 7 6 7 1 0 80 13 1331

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 60 24 8 4 3 1 0 84 7 3680
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 29 10 6 5 1 0 79 11 4356
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 49 28 10 7 6 1 0 77 13 2647
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 28 10 6 6 1 0 77 12 1332

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 36 35 11 11 7 0 0 71 18 3685
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 21 33 15 16 14 0 0 54 31 4357
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 22 34 14 15 15 0 0 55 30 2654
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 24 34 14 13 14 0 0 58 28 1331

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 38 34 15 7 4 1 0 74 11 3680
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 27 36 17 10 8 1 0 64 19 4354
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 30 36 17 9 7 0 0 67 16 2650
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 38 17 7 6 0 0 70 13 1325

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 26 41 17 7 0 0 35 24 3662
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 18 40 25 13 0 0 22 38 4311
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 16 42 25 14 0 0 19 39 2625
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 14 40 27 16 1 0 17 43 1319

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 8 17 40 22 12 0 1 33 26 3662
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 25 39 16 6 0 0 22 39 4310
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 14 27 39 15 5 0 0 20 41 2611
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 28 39 13 4 0 0 17 44 1313
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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 3667
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 24 76 4330
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 23 77 2631
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 21 79 1326
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 13 87 2601
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 18 82 6608
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 19 81 3679
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 2178

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 52 571
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 1014
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 593
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 52 327
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 52 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 46 698
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 49 315

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 53 571
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 62 1014
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 66 593
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 65 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 59 327
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 61 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 63 698
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 61 315

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 current department or agency 5 571
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 1014
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 593
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 327
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 698
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 315

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 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 279
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 1 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 698

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 current department or agency 7 571
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 1014
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 593
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 2 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 3 327
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 698
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 315

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 current department or agency 18 571
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 19 1014
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 13 593
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 12 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 13 327
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 15 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 698
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 315

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 2 571
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 1014
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 593
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 279
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 4 327
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 1176
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 5 698
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 315
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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 9 91 3674
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 15 85 4355
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 14 86 2646
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 1331
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 5 95 2604
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 91 6599
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 92 3676
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 2180

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 37 327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 633
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 363
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 26 150
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 39 133
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 570
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 299
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 33 125

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 69 327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 78 633
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 80 364
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 79 150
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 76 133
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 79 570
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 85 299
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 78 125

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 current department or agency 3 327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 633
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 363
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 570
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 2 299

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 current department or agency 0 150
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 299

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 current department or agency 10 327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 633
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 363
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 4 150
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 7 133
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 570
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 299
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 125

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 current department or agency 21 327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 14 633
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 363
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 9 150
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 14 133
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 570
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 299
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 14 125

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 327
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 633
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 363
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 10 151
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 133
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 570
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 299
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 8 125