2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for the Public Services and Procurement 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 51 32 8 3 2 3 1 86 5 566
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 37 10 5 2 4 0 82 8 1872
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 38 10 4 2 4 0 82 7 1858
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 35 8 3 3 3 0 86 6 1044
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 54 30 7 2 1 6 1 90 3 623
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 38 12 3 2 5 1 82 5 3429
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 38 14 3 3 5 0 79 6 2588
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 38 14 3 2 4 1 81 5 2175

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 55 29 8 4 3 0 0 85 7 567
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 39 9 9 5 0 0 77 14 1871
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 43 11 9 5 0 0 75 14 1853
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 42 9 7 6 0 0 78 13 1040
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 30 3 3 2 1 0 92 5 624
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 40 10 4 2 0 0 84 6 3428
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 40 13 5 3 1 0 79 8 2586
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 40 12 5 3 0 0 80 8 2173
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 36 7 2 1 1 0 90 3 1481
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 42 12 6 3 0 0 80 8 3940
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 43 14 7 3 1 0 76 10 2137
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 40 14 6 5 1 0 75 11 2794
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 51 37 6 3 2 1 0 89 5 1241
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 31 44 13 7 4 1 0 76 11 2650
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 42 17 7 6 0 0 70 13 1481
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 43 14 8 5 0 0 73 13 2406

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 42 32 13 7 5 0 0 74 13 563
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 32 35 14 11 7 0 0 68 18 1870
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 38 16 12 7 0 0 65 20 1856
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 37 15 9 7 0 1 69 16 1041
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 31 40 14 10 5 0 1 71 15 624
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 26 39 17 10 7 0 0 65 18 3430
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 26 36 17 12 8 0 0 63 20 2590
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 37 15 11 7 0 0 67 18 2177

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 32 36 14 8 7 2 0 70 16 566
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 37 16 13 9 1 0 62 22 1877
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 39 17 13 10 2 0 60 23 1858
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 23 39 18 10 8 1 1 63 19 1039

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 49 28 10 7 4 1 0 78 12 565
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 39 33 12 8 7 0 1 72 15 1873
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 37 12 7 6 0 0 75 13 1856
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 37 10 8 5 0 0 76 13 1040
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 31 11 6 5 1 2 77 12 625
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 35 13 8 5 0 1 74 14 3431
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 37 15 10 5 0 1 70 15 2588
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 35 37 13 8 6 0 1 73 14 2174
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 36 11 6 2 1 2 81 8 1483
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 37 36 12 7 5 1 1 75 12 3942
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 38 12 9 5 0 1 74 15 2141
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 36 12 8 5 0 1 75 13 2806

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 44 35 9 7 6 0 0 79 13 564
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 27 38 16 10 10 0 0 65 19 1878
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 24 39 15 12 9 0 0 63 22 1855
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 27 39 14 11 9 0 0 66 20 1040
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 42 37 10 6 4 1 0 80 10 622
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 41 19 11 5 0 0 65 16 3427
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 21 40 21 11 7 1 0 61 18 2589
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 24 39 19 11 6 0 0 64 17 2178
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 35 40 14 7 3 0 0 76 10 1482
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 23 40 20 11 5 1 0 64 17 3934
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 39 21 12 6 1 0 60 19 2134
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 23 40 19 11 6 1 0 64 17 2804
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 39 40 11 8 3 0 0 79 10 1241
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 22 42 18 12 6 0 0 64 18 2651
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 41 18 14 6 0 0 62 20 1481
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 22 41 17 13 7 0 0 63 20 2403

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 50 34 7 5 3 0 0 85 9 565
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 41 12 8 4 0 0 76 12 1876
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 42 14 7 4 0 0 75 11 1854
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 40 10 7 4 0 0 79 11 1041
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 39 10 3 3 0 0 84 6 622
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 43 13 7 4 0 0 76 11 3426
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 42 13 6 3 0 0 77 9 2588
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 40 10 5 3 0 0 82 8 2176
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 39 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 1485
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 43 12 6 3 0 0 79 9 3944
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 36 43 11 7 3 0 0 80 10 2143
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 42 9 5 2 0 0 84 7 2807
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 43 40 10 6 1 0 0 83 7 1241
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 45 11 6 3 0 0 81 9 2649
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 39 44 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 1482
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 42 7 6 3 0 0 84 8 2403
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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 65 21 4 4 6 0 0 86 10 567
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 28 8 6 5 0 0 81 11 1878
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 27 9 6 6 0 0 79 12 1861
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 27 7 5 7 0 0 81 12 1040

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 64 21 6 4 4 1 0 86 7 566
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 54 26 9 5 5 1 0 80 10 1871
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 51 26 11 5 5 1 0 78 10 1860
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 54 24 9 6 5 1 0 79 12 1038

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 30 10 8 8 0 0 74 16 567
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 28 31 14 13 13 0 0 60 26 1876
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 27 33 15 14 11 0 0 60 26 1859
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 30 34 13 12 11 0 0 64 23 1036

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 34 34 17 7 4 3 1 71 12 565
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 24 37 20 10 7 2 0 62 17 1869
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 25 35 22 9 7 3 0 61 16 1857
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 36 19 8 6 2 0 67 14 1036

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 32 36 12 7 0 1 43 20 561
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 19 41 23 12 0 0 23 35 1863
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 14 43 27 13 0 0 16 40 1843
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 15 43 25 13 0 0 19 38 1026

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 7 13 33 31 15 0 1 46 20 562
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 12 21 39 20 7 0 0 27 34 1863
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 27 41 17 4 0 0 21 38 1826
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 12 23 44 15 5 0 0 21 35 1023
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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 11 89 561
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 20 80 1858
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 1834
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 20 80 1024
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 9 91 624
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 19 81 3421
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 18 82 2586
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 16 84 2174

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 47 65
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 355
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 376
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 44 194
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 44 58
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 462
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 349

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 65
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 69 356
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 69 376
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 67 194
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 59 58
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 64 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 64 462
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 66 349

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 4 355
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 376
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 15 194
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 6 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 462
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 349

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 65
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 376
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 58
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 462

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 17 65
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 8 355
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 376
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 7 194
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 9 58
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 9 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 462
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 349

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 5 355
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 376
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 194
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 58
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 462
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 349

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 4 355
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 376
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 5 194
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 652
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 3 462
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 349
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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 6 94 566
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 11 89 1875
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 1850
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 11 89 1028
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 3 97 625
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 7 93 3425
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 2585
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 2170

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 48 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 204
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 102
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 45 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 38 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 29 136

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 57 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 82 204
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 77 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 85 102
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 84 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 81 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 84 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 90 136

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 4 204
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 204
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 3 136

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 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 33
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 0 19
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 136

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 9 204
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 10 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 13 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 7 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 10 136

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 3 204
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 204
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 2 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 4 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 4 136

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 204
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 8 204
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 102
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 257
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 168
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 9 136