2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Department of Finance 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 41 37 17 2 0 4 0 81 2 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 36 16 7 4 5 0 72 11 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 34 40 12 7 4 4 0 76 11 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 47 17 0 0 3 0 83 0 54
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 29 4 6 0 4 0 90 6 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 29 13 5 1 10 0 78 7 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 36 10 6 2 7 0 81 8 178
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 32 14 1 3 8 0 81 5 94

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 78 22 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 39 9 4 2 0 0 85 6 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 41 5 5 4 0 0 86 9 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 43 2 2 0 0 0 96 2 54
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 68 32 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 32 7 4 1 0 0 89 5 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 35 9 3 1 1 0 87 4 178
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 31 11 1 1 0 0 87 2 94
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 30 9 2 0 0 0 89 2 79
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 38 10 2 2 0 0 86 4 262
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 34 11 5 3 1 1 81 8 148
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 39 7 5 2 0 0 86 7 98
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 25 9 3 2 1 0 86 4 162
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 39 14 6 4 0 0 75 10 309
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 35 14 8 6 0 0 72 14 123
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 43 15 7 4 1 0 74 12 140

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 51 35 12 2 0 0 0 86 2 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 39 12 10 8 0 0 70 18 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 43 9 7 4 0 0 80 11 144
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 37 16 7 3 0 0 74 11 54
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 37 13 4 0 0 2 82 4 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 38 14 9 2 0 0 75 11 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 40 14 8 4 0 1 73 12 178
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 41 13 12 2 0 0 74 14 94

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 43 41 7 5 2 2 0 86 7 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 38 15 15 7 1 0 62 23 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 31 42 12 12 4 0 0 73 16 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 25 44 14 11 6 0 0 69 17 54

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 48 41 9 0 2 0 0 89 2 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 37 7 14 7 0 0 72 21 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 39 12 8 8 0 0 72 16 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 34 17 5 2 0 0 76 7 54
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 28 7 6 0 0 5 86 6 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 33 14 8 6 0 1 72 14 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 34 11 13 9 0 0 66 22 178
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 36 37 13 8 6 0 0 73 14 94
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 38 39 9 9 4 0 1 78 12 79
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 36 11 9 8 1 1 73 17 262
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 39 7 16 9 1 1 68 26 149
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 28 10 16 6 0 1 67 23 98

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 68 27 5 0 0 0 0 95 0 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 37 10 7 4 0 1 80 10 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 46 7 4 4 0 0 85 7 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 35 7 7 2 0 0 84 9 54
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 66 25 6 4 0 0 0 91 4 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 34 10 6 3 0 0 82 8 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 14 6 1 0 0 79 7 178
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 38 10 4 1 0 0 85 5 94
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 42 4 5 2 0 0 89 8 79
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 33 14 6 5 1 0 74 12 262
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 34 8 11 3 2 0 77 15 148
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 37 11 3 2 0 0 84 5 98
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 34 11 5 1 1 0 83 6 162
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 41 15 9 7 0 0 69 16 309
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 36 16 3 6 1 0 75 9 122
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 31 38 16 11 3 1 0 69 15 140

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 58 31 9 2 0 0 0 89 2 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 41 7 3 3 1 0 87 7 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 49 2 5 3 0 0 90 8 144
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 51 39 7 3 0 0 0 90 3 54
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 55 32 10 4 0 0 0 87 4 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 39 10 5 3 0 0 83 8 256
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 43 10 4 4 0 0 83 7 177
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 34 9 4 0 0 0 87 4 94
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 42 13 4 1 0 0 82 5 79
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 37 9 7 6 0 0 78 13 262
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 43 9 5 3 0 0 82 8 149
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 36 4 4 2 0 0 90 6 97
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 43 8 6 0 0 0 86 6 162
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 45 9 7 2 0 0 82 9 309
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 35 9 4 1 0 0 85 6 123
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 32 6 7 2 0 0 86 8 140
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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 71 16 7 4 2 0 0 87 6 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 26 5 7 3 0 0 84 10 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 62 22 7 4 4 1 0 84 8 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 58 23 9 6 4 0 0 82 10 54

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 66 23 4 5 2 0 0 89 8 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 65 20 9 1 5 0 0 85 6 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 57 26 8 6 3 1 0 83 9 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 35 7 4 4 0 0 85 8 54

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 43 42 5 8 2 0 0 85 10 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 31 14 15 3 0 0 67 19 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 35 15 9 7 0 0 69 16 144
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 40 11 3 4 0 0 82 7 54

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 41 30 17 12 0 0 0 71 12 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 41 24 11 2 0 0 62 13 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 42 19 13 3 2 0 64 16 145
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 44 23 2 2 0 0 73 4 54

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 2 44 48 6 0 0 0 46 6 49
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 21 48 22 6 0 0 25 28 153
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 21 36 25 15 0 0 24 39 139
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 2 23 43 18 12 0 3 26 30 53

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 13 43 30 13 0 0 44 13 50
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 26 42 17 10 0 0 26 32 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 20 35 25 13 0 0 39 26 142
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 18 51 24 3 0 0 27 22 52
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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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 16 84 154
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 17 83 144
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 53
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 50
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 88 256
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 177
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 17 83 94

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 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 31
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 34 15

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 66 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 59 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 31
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 84 25
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 80 15

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 the federal public service 0 23
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 31
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15

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 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 31
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15

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 24
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15

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 23
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 25
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 15
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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 0 100 49
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 92 155
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 90 144
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 100 51
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 96 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 95 178

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 12
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 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 12
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 15
2014 3 to 10 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 12
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 15
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 10