2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Immigration and Refugee Board 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

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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 31 42 5 4 10 6 2 80 15 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 27 8 6 4 3 0 81 11 163
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 42 9 5 4 3 0 81 10 188
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 30 12 6 3 2 0 80 8 127
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 21 8 0 2 11 0 89 2 52
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 32 11 4 2 4 1 82 6 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 41 12 5 2 3 0 80 8 207
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 33 10 4 5 5 0 81 9 181

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 43 42 2 5 8 0 0 85 12 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 34 11 8 6 1 0 75 14 163
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 48 6 7 6 0 0 81 13 187
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 38 8 11 6 1 0 74 18 128
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 70 26 2 0 2 0 0 96 2 52
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 34 8 6 1 0 0 85 7 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 42 5 6 3 0 0 87 8 207
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 30 8 3 5 1 0 84 8 181
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 33 8 8 1 0 0 83 9 102
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 42 11 8 3 1 0 78 11 252
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 40 11 9 7 1 0 73 16 167
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 35 15 7 8 0 0 70 15 194
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 37 5 6 2 1 0 87 8 111
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 35 12 6 4 1 0 78 10 216
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 41 10 11 7 0 0 72 18 199
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 32 14 5 5 2 0 76 10 114

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 35 32 9 11 10 2 2 69 21 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 32 14 9 6 1 0 71 15 163
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 38 13 11 4 0 0 72 15 186
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 33 14 12 6 0 0 68 18 128
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 40 10 5 4 0 0 81 9 52
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 34 18 11 7 0 1 64 18 248
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 40 15 9 8 0 0 68 17 207
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 33 17 11 7 0 1 64 19 180

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 26 41 11 11 8 3 0 69 19 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 36 15 7 8 2 0 70 15 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 42 11 12 9 0 0 67 22 189
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 35 19 14 7 0 0 60 21 128

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 37 28 14 8 9 2 1 67 18 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 33 8 8 4 0 1 81 11 164
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 35 11 10 7 1 1 71 17 188
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 31 14 8 6 1 0 72 14 128
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 33 12 3 3 0 4 81 7 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 28 12 11 7 0 2 69 19 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 33 8 12 7 0 0 73 19 207
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 31 14 7 5 0 2 73 13 181
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 31 13 6 10 1 1 71 16 102
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 37 11 11 8 0 2 70 19 253
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 40 12 9 3 2 1 75 12 169
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 33 16 10 6 1 1 67 16 194

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 38 41 6 3 12 0 0 79 15 57
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 32 13 10 7 1 0 70 17 164
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 37 15 12 9 0 0 65 20 189
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 39 9 17 6 0 0 69 22 127
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 27 11 4 0 0 0 85 4 52
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 38 15 14 3 0 0 68 17 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 37 12 15 4 0 0 69 19 207
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 40 13 6 9 0 0 72 15 180
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 37 31 16 13 4 0 0 67 17 102
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 37 15 15 5 0 1 65 20 253
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 23 39 18 12 8 1 0 62 20 169
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 45 19 8 7 1 0 66 15 195
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 37 7 9 3 1 0 81 12 110
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 37 13 11 5 2 0 70 16 216
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 45 14 9 7 0 0 70 16 199
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 30 15 14 3 1 0 68 17 114

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 40 39 11 4 6 0 0 79 10 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 29 5 9 4 1 0 82 13 163
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 42 10 5 4 1 0 80 9 187
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 38 9 6 2 0 0 83 8 128
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 34 6 0 0 0 0 94 0 52
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 37 13 3 3 1 0 81 6 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 38 8 6 2 2 0 84 8 207
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 36 11 6 2 0 0 82 8 180
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 29 8 8 5 0 0 78 14 102
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 40 11 5 3 0 0 81 8 253
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 39 15 4 2 0 0 79 6 169
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 46 9 4 4 0 0 83 8 195
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 32 15 4 1 0 0 80 5 110
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 37 7 4 4 0 0 85 8 216
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 39 9 4 4 0 0 83 8 197
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 34 7 4 3 0 0 86 7 114
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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 54 25 6 6 8 0 0 80 14 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 65 21 5 6 3 0 0 86 9 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 30 6 7 3 0 0 84 10 187
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 28 5 6 8 0 1 81 14 126

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 54 22 10 5 10 0 0 76 14 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 65 20 9 2 4 0 0 85 6 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 35 7 7 2 1 0 84 10 188
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 49 23 13 8 7 0 1 72 15 124

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 35 33 15 12 5 0 0 68 17 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 26 11 18 5 1 0 65 24 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 31 15 15 11 2 0 57 27 187
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 35 11 9 11 0 1 68 21 126

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 23 32 18 15 7 5 0 58 23 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 34 21 12 4 1 1 61 17 161
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 16 37 25 13 8 1 0 54 21 187
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 31 19 9 6 0 0 65 16 124

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 10 24 38 21 5 2 0 34 27 57
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 17 42 21 13 0 1 23 35 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 17 40 27 11 0 0 22 38 186
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 13 48 22 9 0 0 21 32 119

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 5 13 33 35 14 0 0 49 18 57
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 17 42 21 11 0 0 33 25 163
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 24 41 21 4 0 2 26 32 186
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 21 43 19 8 0 2 28 29 123
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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 17 83 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 160
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 79 186
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 124
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 80 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 16 84 206
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 181

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 57 29
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 66 37
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 68 50
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 32
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 33

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 47 29
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 37
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 50
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 32
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 33

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 11 37

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 29
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 37
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 50
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 32

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 37
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 17

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 the federal public service 0 29
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 32

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 17
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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 12 88 58
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 15 85 162
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 189
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 127
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 95 249
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 206
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 181

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 28

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 68 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 77 28
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 92 13
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 81 12
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 70 10

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 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 28
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 11
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 11

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 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 13
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 12
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10