2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council 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 46 31 10 2 2 8 2 85 4 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 40 5 2 1 1 0 92 3 123
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 42 7 3 1 4 0 88 4 98
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 38 3 6 0 0 0 91 6 34
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 26 11 9 2 11 0 76 12 46
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 29 14 1 1 5 1 83 2 153
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 17 4 1 3 0 77 5 98
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 40 12 2 0 2 0 86 2 43

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 65 28 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 38 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 123
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 36 4 7 2 0 0 87 9 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 55 39 0 6 0 0 0 94 6 34
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 72 26 0 2 0 0 0 98 2 46
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 29 5 1 1 0 0 93 1 153
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 54 31 11 3 1 0 0 85 4 97
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 72 21 5 0 2 0 0 93 2 43

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 60 23 13 2 0 0 2 85 2 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 42 12 6 2 0 0 81 7 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 38 6 9 5 0 0 79 14 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 32 3 6 3 0 0 88 9 34
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 39 13 6 2 0 0 79 9 46
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 45 10 7 3 0 0 80 9 153
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 44 8 8 6 0 1 77 14 98
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 42 7 2 0 0 2 90 2 43

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 44 33 17 3 0 3 0 79 3 60
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 44 12 8 4 0 0 76 12 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 40 17 9 6 0 0 67 15 98
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 47 11 12 3 0 0 74 15 34

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 62 28 7 1 0 2 0 92 1 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 34 5 10 2 0 0 82 13 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 33 6 9 3 0 0 82 12 98
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 30 12 6 0 0 0 82 6 34
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 22 9 0 4 6 4 85 5 46
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 36 9 9 2 0 1 80 11 152
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 28 19 9 6 0 1 65 15 98
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 46 42 5 5 2 0 0 88 7 43

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 57 36 3 3 0 0 0 93 3 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 43 7 7 1 0 0 85 7 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 43 6 5 6 0 0 82 11 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 50 3 6 3 0 0 88 9 34
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 33 9 2 0 0 0 89 2 46
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 42 40 10 5 1 1 0 83 7 153
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 43 36 13 5 3 0 0 79 8 98
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 26 5 5 5 0 0 86 9 43

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 59 33 5 3 0 0 0 92 3 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 42 6 3 0 0 0 91 3 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 34 5 5 3 0 0 86 8 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 56 41 0 0 3 0 0 97 3 34
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 50 37 6 7 0 0 0 87 7 46
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 49 8 4 3 1 0 85 7 153
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 35 15 5 0 0 0 80 5 98
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 72 12 7 2 5 0 2 86 7 43
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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 64 24 7 2 2 0 2 90 3 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 65 22 8 3 1 0 1 88 4 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 29 5 8 2 0 0 85 10 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 64 30 6 0 0 0 0 94 0 34

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 67 23 7 0 2 0 2 92 2 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 25 7 2 1 0 1 90 3 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 33 7 2 2 0 0 89 4 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 64 21 15 0 0 0 0 85 0 34

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 54 31 10 3 0 2 0 86 3 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 32 15 7 2 1 0 76 9 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 38 11 9 9 0 0 71 19 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 41 36 5 18 0 0 0 76 18 34

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 36 38 18 2 0 6 0 79 2 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 45 14 6 0 0 0 81 6 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 40 8 7 6 1 0 78 14 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 48 15 0 0 0 0 85 0 34

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 14 31 45 10 0 0 0 45 10 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 25 43 19 6 0 0 31 26 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 18 44 25 9 0 0 21 35 98
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 9 47 34 6 0 0 13 40 32

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 2 38 34 25 2 0 60 2 61
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 14 40 28 12 0 0 40 20 123
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 23 35 24 10 0 0 34 31 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 17 45 26 3 0 3 30 24 34
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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 12 88 123
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 76 99
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 87 153
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 15 85 98

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 33 15
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 40 15

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 55 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 70 20
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 73 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 15
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 11 to 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 15
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20

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

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 24
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 20
2014 11 to 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 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 95 124
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 99
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 100 34
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 93 98