2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council by Question 25. In total, how many years have you been working in your current department or agency?

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 current department or agency 49 31 8 2 2 6 1 87 5 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 48 42 6 2 0 2 0 92 2 125
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 42 45 7 3 1 3 0 89 4 76
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 59 28 4 10 0 0 0 86 10 22
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 48 28 10 6 1 7 0 81 8 69
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 45 32 15 2 1 4 1 81 3 163
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 44 33 15 4 1 4 0 79 5 80
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 34 45 14 3 0 3 0 82 4 29

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 current department or agency 66 29 4 1 0 0 0 95 1 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 51 40 6 2 0 0 0 92 2 125
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 35 3 9 3 0 0 86 12 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 48 42 0 10 0 0 0 90 10 22
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 74 23 1 1 0 0 0 97 1 69
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 60 31 7 1 1 0 0 91 1 162
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 59 26 9 4 3 0 0 85 6 80
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 66 31 3 0 0 0 0 97 0 29

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 current department or agency 55 32 10 1 1 0 1 88 2 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 39 40 12 7 1 0 0 80 8 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 40 38 7 9 6 0 0 78 16 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 58 23 4 10 5 0 0 81 14 22
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 41 44 10 4 1 0 0 84 6 69
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 34 45 11 7 4 0 0 79 10 163
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 40 8 9 5 0 3 78 14 80
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 45 10 3 0 0 0 86 3 29

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 current department or agency 42 38 11 7 0 2 0 82 7 94
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 31 40 18 6 4 0 0 71 10 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 26 42 13 10 8 0 0 68 18 76
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 23 50 13 10 5 0 0 72 14 22

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 current department or agency 59 29 7 4 0 1 0 89 4 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 34 6 10 3 0 0 81 13 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 49 36 3 9 4 0 0 84 13 76
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 58 19 14 10 0 0 0 77 10 22
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 51 28 9 3 3 4 3 84 6 69
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 44 35 10 9 2 0 1 79 11 162
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 36 26 19 9 9 0 1 63 18 80
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 41 48 7 3 0 0 0 90 3 29

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 current department or agency 54 40 3 2 1 0 0 94 3 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 41 45 6 7 1 0 0 86 8 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 39 40 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 35 51 4 5 5 0 0 86 10 22
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 58 34 6 1 1 0 0 91 3 69
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 40 13 6 1 1 0 80 7 163
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 48 33 10 5 5 0 0 80 10 80
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 55 31 7 7 0 0 0 86 7 29

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 current department or agency 57 35 4 3 0 0 0 92 3 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 47 44 6 3 1 0 0 90 4 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 57 30 5 5 3 0 0 87 8 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 54 41 0 0 5 0 0 95 5 22
2014 Less than 3 years in current department or agency 49 38 6 4 3 0 0 87 7 69
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 46 10 4 2 1 0 83 7 163
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 49 33 13 5 0 0 1 82 5 80
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 66 17 10 3 3 0 0 83 7 29
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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 current department or agency 67 24 5 1 1 0 1 92 2 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 61 24 9 5 1 0 1 86 5 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 31 4 8 3 0 0 86 11 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 68 23 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 22

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 current department or agency 70 22 6 0 1 0 1 93 1 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 60 28 7 3 1 0 1 89 4 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 55 32 8 3 3 0 0 87 5 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 68 19 14 0 0 0 0 86 0 22

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 current department or agency 54 29 12 3 1 1 0 84 4 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 35 15 7 2 1 0 76 9 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 29 39 8 13 12 0 0 68 25 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 40 37 8 14 0 0 0 77 14 22

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 current department or agency 38 40 17 1 0 4 0 81 1 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 37 42 12 7 1 1 0 80 8 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 33 46 7 8 7 0 0 79 15 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 31 46 23 0 0 0 0 77 0 22

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 current department or agency 10 27 51 8 3 0 0 38 12 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 6 25 38 24 6 0 0 31 31 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 4 16 46 26 8 0 0 20 34 76
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 5 5 35 45 10 0 0 11 55 20

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 current department or agency 3 5 35 35 20 1 0 56 8 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 5 17 42 25 11 0 0 36 21 125
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 8 22 37 22 11 0 0 33 30 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 9 18 46 22 0 0 5 23 28 22
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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 current department or agency 9 91 93
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 13 87 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 24 76 77
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 15 85 163
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 15 85 80

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 40 17
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 18
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 36 25
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 50 12

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 current department or agency 59 17
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 67 18
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 68 25
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 75 12

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 current department or agency 0 17
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 18
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 25
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 12

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 current department or agency 0 17
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 18
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 25

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 current department or agency 0 17
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 0 25

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 18
2014 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 0 12
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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 current department or agency 8 92 95
2017 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 96 126
2017 11 to 20 years in current department or agency 9 91 77
2017 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 100 22
2014 3 to 10 years in current department or agency 4 96 163
2014 More than 20 years in current department or agency 0 100 29