2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Service Commission of 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

Top of Page

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 61 16 13 5 1 3 0 80 6 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 32 5 4 3 2 0 88 7 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 52 29 6 7 2 3 0 84 10 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 30 5 1 1 2 0 93 2 113
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 38 5 0 0 5 0 95 0 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 38 12 1 2 8 1 83 3 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 35 9 6 4 6 1 80 10 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 34 11 2 2 1 0 85 4 143

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 70 22 3 5 0 0 0 92 5 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 38 8 7 5 0 0 80 12 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 31 12 9 5 1 0 73 14 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 31 17 4 6 0 0 73 10 111
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 76 24 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 40 10 3 2 1 0 85 5 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 33 9 5 4 0 0 81 10 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 33 11 3 2 0 0 85 5 142
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 64 30 5 1 0 0 0 93 1 84
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 37 8 5 4 0 0 83 10 280
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 13 8 4 1 0 75 11 141
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 43 10 2 2 0 0 87 3 185
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 39 6 1 1 0 0 91 2 129
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 44 9 9 2 1 0 81 11 266
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 44 11 6 3 0 0 80 9 157
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 12 9 4 0 0 76 13 210

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 45 32 14 10 0 0 0 76 10 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 29 13 11 9 0 1 67 20 134
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 15 10 7 0 0 69 17 201
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 31 16 8 7 0 0 69 15 111
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 14 14 9 5 0 5 70 14 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 40 12 15 6 0 0 66 21 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 38 13 13 5 0 0 69 18 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 28 38 18 9 6 0 1 67 15 143

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 41 32 14 10 3 0 0 73 14 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 35 17 17 8 1 0 59 24 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 40 12 14 8 3 0 66 22 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 40 16 9 8 3 0 66 18 112

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 64 16 6 14 0 0 0 80 14 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 37 7 8 7 0 0 78 15 134
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 34 10 6 10 0 1 74 16 202
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 35 12 8 4 1 1 75 12 111
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 13 10 9 0 5 4 79 10 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 31 13 9 5 0 0 73 14 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 37 10 9 5 0 0 76 14 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 37 7 5 2 0 1 86 7 142
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 36 8 4 0 1 2 87 5 85
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 36 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 282
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 39 8 8 5 0 0 79 13 144
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 32 6 8 2 0 0 84 10 186

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 55 29 6 10 0 0 0 84 10 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 38 17 9 9 0 0 66 17 135
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 39 14 13 7 0 0 66 20 203
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 33 19 13 5 0 0 63 18 111
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 37 53 5 5 0 0 0 90 5 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 25 48 11 8 7 0 0 73 15 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 38 18 11 6 0 0 65 17 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 35 15 8 4 0 0 74 11 142
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 38 8 5 1 0 0 86 6 83
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 37 14 8 7 0 0 70 15 282
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 37 16 11 5 1 0 68 16 143
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 42 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 186
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 37 40 13 6 2 1 0 79 8 129
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 34 15 13 4 0 0 68 18 265
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 29 42 9 14 6 1 0 72 20 157
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 42 10 12 6 0 0 72 18 210

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 52 30 6 11 1 0 0 81 12 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 42 14 8 4 0 0 74 12 135
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 44 12 8 4 0 0 76 12 202
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 39 11 9 4 0 0 77 13 112
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 23 14 5 0 0 0 81 5 21
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 48 13 9 2 0 0 76 11 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 42 13 5 5 0 0 77 10 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 35 14 5 1 0 0 80 5 143
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 26 13 9 3 0 0 75 12 85
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 34 47 9 6 4 0 0 81 10 281
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 39 10 6 3 0 0 81 9 143
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 35 8 2 1 0 0 90 2 186
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 31 51 8 7 4 0 0 82 10 129
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 43 9 9 2 0 0 80 11 267
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 47 7 3 3 0 0 88 6 156
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 37 5 5 4 0 0 86 8 208
Top of Page

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 72 10 14 3 3 0 0 81 5 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 25 10 7 7 0 0 77 14 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 23 10 7 10 0 0 73 17 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 29 5 11 6 0 0 77 18 113

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 70 10 18 1 0 0 0 81 1 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 22 18 4 4 1 1 73 9 135
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 24 10 7 9 0 0 73 17 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 23 15 8 6 1 0 71 14 112

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 58 25 9 5 3 0 0 83 8 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 29 11 13 9 1 0 66 23 135
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 27 16 13 16 1 0 55 29 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 29 18 19 8 0 0 56 26 112

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 28 26 30 10 5 2 0 55 15 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 32 25 14 7 3 1 52 22 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 35 25 11 9 2 0 55 20 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 27 26 12 5 3 0 56 17 112

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 47 27 10 3 2 0 59 13 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 21 40 16 16 0 0 28 32 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 14 45 25 12 0 0 17 38 199
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 22 46 22 8 1 0 24 30 111

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 0 18 28 24 30 0 0 53 18 59
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 20 36 19 12 0 2 32 31 134
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 25 44 16 6 0 0 22 34 202
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 8 23 44 20 4 1 0 24 31 111
Top of Page

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 133
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 73 203
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 113
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 76 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 22 78 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 143

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 60 26
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 56
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 46
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 47
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 26

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 26
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 72 56
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 46
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 47
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 63 26

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 56
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 47

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 26
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 56
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 46
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 47
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 26

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 26
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 24

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 56
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 47
Top of Page

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 136
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 202
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 112
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 197
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 215
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 96 143

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 17 29

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 100 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 77 13
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 78 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 the federal public service 0 10
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13

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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 29
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 29
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 29
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10