2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Statistics 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 55 27 10 2 2 3 1 85 4 593
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 35 8 3 1 2 1 88 4 959
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 51 35 6 3 2 2 0 88 5 892
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 61 29 6 1 1 2 0 91 3 551
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 59 26 7 1 1 7 0 91 2 614
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 49 35 9 2 1 4 0 87 4 1336
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 36 9 2 1 3 0 89 2 1249
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 51 35 9 2 0 2 0 89 2 667

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 66 22 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 594
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 37 8 5 3 0 0 84 8 963
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 40 7 7 4 0 0 82 11 890
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 47 38 8 4 3 0 0 85 7 551
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 68 26 4 1 0 0 0 94 2 613
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 36 8 2 2 1 0 88 4 1337
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 38 9 3 1 0 0 86 4 1249
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 50 37 9 2 1 1 0 88 3 667

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 48 28 12 6 4 0 0 77 10 595
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 38 13 10 5 0 0 72 15 962
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 41 12 9 6 0 0 73 15 890
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 38 10 5 4 0 0 81 9 550
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 40 33 13 9 3 0 1 75 12 614
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 41 13 8 4 0 0 75 12 1335
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 40 16 7 4 0 0 73 11 1249
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 41 9 7 2 0 0 81 9 667

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 41 35 12 7 4 1 0 77 11 595
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 25 42 16 10 6 2 0 68 16 962
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 41 15 13 7 1 0 65 20 893
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 43 15 7 5 1 1 73 12 549

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 58 24 9 4 4 1 0 84 7 594
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 34 12 6 4 1 1 79 10 962
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 37 11 10 4 0 0 75 14 891
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 42 40 9 4 3 1 1 84 7 551
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 27 11 2 3 2 4 83 5 612
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 32 11 6 4 1 1 79 10 1336
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 38 11 5 3 1 1 81 8 1247
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 45 38 8 4 2 1 2 85 6 665

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 53 28 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 594
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 38 12 8 4 0 0 75 13 962
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 34 43 11 8 5 0 0 77 13 892
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 41 9 7 3 0 0 82 10 550
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 33 10 4 2 0 0 84 5 614
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 38 39 13 8 3 0 0 77 10 1338
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 41 16 7 2 1 0 75 9 1249
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 38 39 15 6 1 0 0 77 8 668

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 51 31 8 6 3 0 0 82 10 594
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 40 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 961
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 42 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 893
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 40 10 4 2 0 0 83 6 551
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 43 38 9 5 4 0 0 81 9 614
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 35 43 14 6 2 0 0 79 8 1337
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 35 44 12 6 2 0 0 79 8 1249
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 44 10 4 1 0 0 85 5 666
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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 68 19 5 5 3 0 0 88 7 595
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 61 23 6 6 3 0 0 84 9 963
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 53 31 6 6 5 0 0 84 11 894
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 57 27 8 4 3 0 1 85 7 551

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 67 18 8 3 2 1 0 86 6 595
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 59 25 8 4 3 1 0 85 7 962
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 53 29 9 4 4 1 0 82 9 893
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 58 26 9 3 4 0 0 84 7 550

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 52 28 7 8 4 1 0 81 12 595
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 37 13 9 6 1 0 72 15 962
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 37 13 12 7 0 0 69 19 890
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 37 12 7 4 0 0 76 12 551

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 36 33 16 7 4 2 1 72 12 594
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 33 38 15 7 4 2 0 73 12 961
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 32 41 15 7 5 1 0 73 12 891
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 40 14 5 2 1 0 80 6 550

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 12 37 39 8 3 0 1 49 11 593
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 24 44 19 8 0 0 29 27 958
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 3 18 42 27 10 0 0 21 37 881
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 16 47 23 11 0 0 19 34 534

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 5 10 30 34 19 0 2 54 15 592
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 17 43 24 9 0 0 33 24 953
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 22 42 21 5 0 0 26 32 887
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 20 45 21 6 0 1 28 27 544
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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 10 90 593
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 15 85 955
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 16 84 881
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 543
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 13 87 612
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 12 88 1337
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 89 1247
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 7 93 666

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 68
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 144
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 136
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 39 49
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 50 78
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 48 164
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 52 137
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 43 44

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 67 68
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 70 144
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 63 136
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 60 49
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 78
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 63 164
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 58 137
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 57 44

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 144
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 136
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 20 49
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 164
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 7 137
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 11 44

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 68
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 144
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 136
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 49
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 78
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 164
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 137
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 44

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 3 144
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 164

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 144
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 11 136
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 48
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 10 78
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 3 164
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 137
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 44
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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 7 93 594
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 9 91 959
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 892
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 6 94 547
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 6 94 614
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 95 1335
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 96 1247
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 3 97 667

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 43 42
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 87
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 79
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 27 34
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 35 35
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 67
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 37 43
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 29 18

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 60 42
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 79 87
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 80 79
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 86 34
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 60 35
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 80 67
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 74 43
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 83 18

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 87
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 15 34
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 18

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 42
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 87
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 79
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 34
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 0 35
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 67
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 43
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 18

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 11 42

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 16 42
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 87

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 18 42
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 7 87
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 10 79
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 11 67
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 12 43