2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Privy Council Office 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 54 26 4 16 0 0 0 80 16 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 33 11 7 2 4 0 80 9 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 36 12 7 2 2 0 79 9 210
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 34 6 5 1 3 0 87 7 79
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 56 29 4 2 0 7 2 93 3 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 44 31 13 3 2 6 1 81 5 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 33 16 5 2 3 0 77 7 223
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 36 10 3 0 8 1 86 3 127

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 56 28 6 6 4 0 0 84 10 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 52 31 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 44 38 7 8 4 0 0 82 12 209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 34 11 6 2 0 0 81 8 78
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 70 26 2 2 0 0 0 95 2 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 61 27 7 2 2 0 0 89 4 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 56 30 7 5 2 1 0 86 7 223
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 28 6 2 1 1 0 90 3 127
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 67 25 5 2 1 0 0 91 3 96
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 49 38 6 3 3 1 0 88 6 283
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 49 32 15 3 2 0 0 80 5 176
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 32 11 1 3 0 0 85 4 128
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 63 29 7 0 0 0 0 93 0 82
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 40 9 5 2 0 0 83 7 212
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 44 8 8 7 0 0 77 15 106
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 37 38 13 6 6 0 0 75 13 79

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 64 22 5 2 7 0 0 86 9 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 41 38 6 9 6 0 0 79 15 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 42 28 9 14 6 0 0 71 21 209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 52 30 7 9 3 0 0 82 12 78
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 40 45 5 10 0 0 0 85 10 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 36 39 11 7 8 0 0 75 14 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 40 12 6 5 1 0 78 10 223
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 40 42 8 7 2 0 1 83 9 126

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 53 22 13 2 7 3 0 77 9 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 33 35 14 7 8 2 0 70 16 187
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 35 13 14 6 0 0 67 20 207
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 36 9 12 3 1 0 76 15 78

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 31 20 12 0 0 0 68 12 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 30 36 7 16 10 1 0 67 26 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 28 36 12 12 11 0 0 64 23 209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 32 30 16 14 8 0 0 62 22 78
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 41 43 12 5 0 0 0 84 5 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 38 34 13 11 4 0 0 72 15 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 32 32 16 12 7 0 0 65 19 223
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 42 35 10 8 3 2 1 78 11 127
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 24 14 12 1 1 2 72 13 96
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 34 11 7 6 2 0 75 13 284
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 35 37 8 14 5 0 1 73 19 179
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 34 11 10 5 1 0 73 15 127

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 65 19 6 6 4 0 0 84 10 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 43 34 11 8 5 0 0 76 12 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 38 12 7 6 0 0 75 13 209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 48 31 10 8 3 0 0 79 11 78
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 58 37 2 0 2 0 0 96 2 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 51 31 12 4 3 0 0 81 7 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 47 31 12 7 3 0 0 78 10 223
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 33 12 5 1 0 0 83 6 126
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 53 29 14 3 2 0 0 81 5 94
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 33 13 6 3 0 0 78 9 284
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 46 34 9 7 5 0 0 79 11 177
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 45 29 15 5 5 2 0 75 10 126
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 61 26 11 1 1 0 0 87 2 82
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 40 39 14 5 2 0 0 79 7 213
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 37 40 15 6 3 0 0 76 8 106
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 33 38 14 10 4 0 0 72 14 78

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 66 24 0 0 10 0 0 90 10 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 45 37 5 9 4 0 0 81 14 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 36 13 5 2 0 0 81 7 210
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 53 33 5 7 1 0 0 87 8 78
2014 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 49 41 11 0 0 0 0 89 0 41
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 46 38 8 4 4 0 0 84 8 229
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 50 36 5 4 4 0 0 86 8 223
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 61 25 7 5 2 1 0 86 7 127
2011 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 52 33 7 4 4 0 0 86 8 96
2011 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 53 33 7 5 2 0 0 86 7 283
2011 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 48 40 7 3 2 0 1 88 5 179
2011 More than 20 years in the federal public service 50 38 5 4 1 1 1 89 5 127
2008 Less than 3 years in the federal public service 46 45 2 5 1 0 0 91 6 82
2008 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 50 38 7 3 2 0 0 88 5 213
2008 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 45 41 8 4 2 0 0 86 6 106
2008 More than 20 years in the federal public service 38 49 5 5 3 0 0 87 8 79
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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 68 16 4 8 4 0 0 84 12 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 58 23 7 4 8 0 0 82 11 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 58 19 6 8 8 0 0 78 16 209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 60 22 8 8 2 0 0 82 10 79

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 20 7 3 4 0 0 86 7 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 23 8 4 7 1 0 80 12 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 60 18 7 7 8 0 0 78 14 210
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 57 24 8 8 3 0 0 81 12 78

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 48 31 6 8 7 0 0 79 14 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 31 10 14 10 0 0 66 24 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 30 32 14 12 11 1 0 63 23 209
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 39 30 9 14 8 0 0 69 22 78

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 52 19 10 7 7 5 0 74 15 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 35 36 14 8 4 3 0 73 13 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 40 16 3 7 0 0 73 10 210
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 43 31 13 9 1 3 0 76 10 78

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 3 27 51 17 3 0 0 30 20 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 3 18 35 32 11 0 1 21 43 189
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 2 13 40 29 14 1 0 16 44 205
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 1 10 34 36 19 0 0 11 55 74

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 6 15 51 22 6 0 0 29 21 35
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 10 24 41 18 6 1 1 24 35 186
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 12 31 36 16 4 0 1 20 44 208
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 29 39 18 0 0 1 18 42 76
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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 16 84 33
2017 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 18 82 188
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 19 81 208
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 78
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 14 86 228
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 14 86 222
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 13 87 126

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 44 35
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 33 39
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 47 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 48 31
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 41 31

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 65 35
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 75 39
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 62 31
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 53 31
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 67 16

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 35
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10

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 35
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 39
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 31
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 31
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 16

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 39

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 35
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 39
2017 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 10
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 0 16
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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 9 91 187
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 9 91 204
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 5 95 230
2014 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 5 95 222
2014 More than 20 years in the federal public service 6 94 126

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 32 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 56 11

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 64 17
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 82 11

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16

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 17
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16
2014 3 to 10 years in the federal public service 0 11

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination 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 16

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 17
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Demographic  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 11 to 20 years in the federal public service 0 16