2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Veterans Affairs Canada by Question 19. What is your current employee status?

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 40 38 11 5 3 3 0 80 8 1329
2017 Term 51 28 9 6 3 3 0 81 9 99
2017 Casual 55 29 10 0 0 4 2 89 0 48
2017 Student 31 50 0 13 0 0 6 87 13 16
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 34 35 19 4 3 5 0 73 7 1511
2014 Term 40 35 15 4 1 4 0 78 6 54
2014 Casual 58 14 12 3 1 10 1 82 5 57
2014 Student 44 31 11 2 0 7 5 85 2 28

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 31 44 9 10 6 0 0 75 16 1327
2017 Term 56 30 8 3 4 0 0 85 7 99
2017 Casual 56 38 2 2 2 0 0 94 4 49
2017 Student 56 19 13 6 6 0 0 75 13 16
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 32 40 12 9 7 0 0 72 16 1511
2014 Term 66 28 3 3 0 0 0 94 3 54
2014 Casual 76 21 1 2 0 0 0 97 2 57
2014 Student 57 36 2 5 0 0 0 93 5 28
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 32 41 14 8 5 0 0 73 13 2713
2011 Term 52 29 13 3 2 1 0 81 5 148
2011 Casual 52 36 10 1 1 0 0 88 3 72
2011 Student 68 32 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 47
2011 Governor in Council appointment 67 25 0 0 8 0 0 92 8 12
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 36 42 11 7 3 1 0 79 10 3048
2008 Seasonal 47 53 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 13
2008 Term 42 40 11 5 1 1 0 82 7 196
2008 Casual 39 47 8 5 0 1 0 86 6 56
2008 Student 70 29 2 0 0 0 0 98 0 52

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 26 38 13 14 10 0 0 63 24 1327
2017 Term 50 25 15 4 6 0 0 75 10 99
2017 Casual 39 27 15 12 8 0 0 66 19 49
2017 Student 44 25 13 0 19 0 0 69 19 16
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 24 31 15 14 15 0 0 55 30 1514
2014 Term 26 42 20 8 2 2 0 69 10 54
2014 Casual 26 43 24 2 4 0 1 70 6 57
2014 Student 38 45 11 5 0 0 0 84 5 28

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 18 39 14 16 11 1 0 58 28 1321
2017 Term 29 39 18 5 5 4 0 71 11 99
2017 Casual 36 37 9 12 4 2 0 75 16 49
2017 Student 38 38 6 0 19 0 0 75 19 16

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 33 36 11 11 9 0 0 69 20 1328
2017 Term 59 20 11 7 2 1 0 80 9 99
2017 Casual 52 30 12 4 0 0 2 84 4 49
2017 Student 69 0 6 25 0 0 0 69 25 16
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 34 31 11 13 10 0 0 65 24 1512
2014 Term 44 29 16 7 3 0 0 73 10 54
2014 Casual 58 16 6 17 1 0 1 75 19 57
2014 Student 55 28 9 0 0 5 5 90 0 28
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 37 35 11 9 7 1 1 73 16 2728
2011 Term 41 31 16 8 1 1 2 74 10 150
2011 Casual 49 28 10 4 1 1 7 84 5 73
2011 Student 48 36 10 0 2 0 4 87 2 48
2011 Governor in Council appointment 39 23 14 0 23 0 0 62 23 13

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 23 42 13 12 9 0 0 65 22 1324
2017 Term 54 27 7 9 3 0 0 81 12 99
2017 Casual 46 34 14 6 0 0 0 80 6 49
2017 Student 63 13 6 13 6 0 0 75 19 16
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 16 30 21 18 16 0 0 45 34 1514
2014 Term 37 48 11 3 1 0 0 85 4 54
2014 Casual 57 31 7 5 0 0 0 88 5 57
2014 Student 63 28 5 5 0 0 0 91 5 28
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 23 38 17 14 8 0 0 62 21 2717
2011 Term 33 37 18 8 3 0 0 70 11 150
2011 Casual 43 37 14 3 1 1 0 82 4 72
2011 Student 54 31 13 2 0 0 0 85 2 48
2011 Governor in Council appointment 50 33 8 8 0 0 0 83 8 12
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 36 40 11 8 3 1 0 77 12 3052
2008 Seasonal 39 28 17 8 0 8 0 73 9 13
2008 Term 43 38 9 7 2 1 0 82 9 197
2008 Casual 32 44 17 6 2 0 0 76 7 56
2008 Student 61 26 11 0 2 0 0 87 2 53

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 35 45 9 7 4 0 0 80 10 1327
2017 Term 65 26 4 2 3 0 0 91 5 99
2017 Casual 49 41 4 2 4 0 0 90 6 48
2017 Student 63 19 6 13 0 0 0 81 13 16
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 38 35 11 10 5 0 0 74 15 1509
2014 Term 51 48 0 1 0 0 0 99 1 54
2014 Casual 58 39 1 0 2 0 0 97 2 56
2014 Student 61 31 7 1 0 0 0 93 1 28
2011 Indeterminate (permanent) 42 39 8 7 4 0 0 82 10 2734
2011 Term 55 33 7 2 2 1 0 89 4 150
2011 Casual 62 28 7 1 1 0 0 90 3 73
2011 Student 48 38 11 4 0 0 0 85 4 48
2011 Governor in Council appointment 84 16 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 13
2008 Indeterminate (permanent) 48 39 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 3053
2008 Seasonal 53 30 17 0 0 0 0 83 0 13
2008 Term 52 32 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 198
2008 Casual 51 42 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 56
2008 Student 53 35 9 3 0 0 0 88 3 53
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 50 26 8 7 8 0 0 77 15 1330
2017 Term 60 24 7 4 5 0 0 84 9 99
2017 Casual 65 26 5 0 4 0 0 92 4 49
2017 Student 81 6 0 0 13 0 0 88 13 16

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 52 27 9 5 6 1 0 80 11 1327
2017 Term 60 23 11 0 6 0 0 83 6 99
2017 Casual 62 29 5 0 4 0 0 92 4 49
2017 Student 81 0 6 0 13 0 0 81 13 16

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 25 33 13 15 15 0 0 57 29 1327
2017 Term 41 31 13 8 7 1 0 72 15 99
2017 Casual 35 45 13 4 2 0 0 81 6 49
2017 Student 63 13 6 0 19 0 0 75 19 16

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 41 35 11 8 4 0 0 76 12 1325
2017 Term 54 30 9 4 3 0 0 84 7 99
2017 Casual 42 46 12 0 0 0 0 88 0 49
2017 Student 75 13 6 6 0 0 0 88 6 16

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 16 41 25 14 0 0 20 39 1303
2017 Term 10 35 37 13 5 0 0 45 18 97
2017 Casual 13 43 36 4 4 0 0 56 8 48
2017 Student 0 38 31 19 6 6 0 40 27 16

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 15 26 40 15 4 0 0 19 41 1312
2017 Term 5 16 38 26 15 0 0 41 21 98
2017 Casual 2 13 37 33 13 0 3 47 15 47
2017 Student 6 13 19 44 19 0 0 63 19 16
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 21 79 1320
2017 Term 14 86 98
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 19 81 1509
2014 Term 17 83 54

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 49 269
2017 Term 67 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 53 290

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 63 269
2017 Term 48 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 58 290

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 7 269
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 7 290

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 3 269
2017 Term 0 14

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 3 269
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 290

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 12 269
2017 Term 0 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 10 290

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 3 269
2017 Term 0 14
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 6 290
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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 Indeterminate (permanent) 10 90 1320
2017 Term 10 90 99
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 7 93 1509

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 32 132
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 33 99

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 90 132
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 81 99

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 Indeterminate (permanent) 4 132
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 0 99

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 7 132
2014 Indeterminate (permanent) 6 99

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Indeterminate (permanent) 5 132