2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Privy Council Office by Question 20.1. Occupational category (variable derived from question 20)

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 Executive 45 37 10 6 0 1 0 84 6 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 38 36 10 8 4 4 0 78 12 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 46 34 10 7 2 2 0 82 8 248
2017 Technical 55 18 9 18 0 0 0 73 18 11
2017 Administrative Support 46 37 8 9 0 0 0 83 9 11
2017 Other 67 24 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 13
2014 Executive 49 35 7 4 1 4 0 87 5 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 39 30 17 5 2 7 1 75 7 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 44 32 13 4 1 6 1 81 6 331
2014 Technical 36 28 18 5 5 9 0 70 10 22
2014 Administrative Support 47 35 17 0 0 0 0 83 0 34
2014 Operational 56 44 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 11
2014 Other 37 38 9 0 0 16 0 89 0 21

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 Executive 50 39 6 6 0 0 0 89 6 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 52 31 4 9 4 0 0 83 13 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 46 36 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 246
2017 Technical 36 18 18 9 18 0 0 55 27 11
2017 Administrative Support 28 54 9 9 0 0 0 82 9 11
2017 Other 95 5 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 13
2014 Executive 65 25 5 5 0 0 0 90 5 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 63 26 6 3 3 1 0 89 5 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 59 28 8 3 1 1 0 89 4 331
2014 Technical 64 27 0 0 9 0 0 91 9 22
2014 Administrative Support 50 32 8 9 0 0 0 83 9 34
2014 Operational 63 28 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 11
2014 Other 55 33 7 5 0 0 0 88 5 21

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 Executive 58 28 3 11 0 0 0 86 11 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 45 30 8 9 8 0 0 75 17 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 43 35 8 9 6 0 0 78 15 246
2017 Technical 45 9 0 27 18 0 0 55 45 11
2017 Administrative Support 37 18 8 37 0 0 0 55 37 11
2017 Other 65 35 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 13
2014 Executive 44 44 5 5 2 0 0 88 7 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 35 45 4 9 6 1 1 81 15 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 36 41 12 6 5 0 0 77 11 331
2014 Technical 36 36 9 14 5 0 0 72 18 22
2014 Administrative Support 38 33 16 9 3 0 0 72 13 33
2014 Operational 56 35 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 11
2014 Other 42 37 16 5 0 0 0 79 5 21

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 Executive 48 39 6 7 0 0 0 87 7 68
2017 Scientific and Professional 38 33 10 8 10 1 0 72 18 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 32 36 13 11 6 2 0 69 17 244
2017 Technical 45 0 18 9 27 0 0 45 36 11
2017 Administrative Support 18 37 26 18 0 0 0 55 18 11
2017 Other 51 40 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 13

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 Executive 22 37 14 15 13 0 0 58 28 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 27 37 7 17 12 0 0 64 29 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 32 37 10 13 8 0 0 69 21 246
2017 Technical 36 9 18 18 18 0 0 45 36 11
2017 Administrative Support 28 36 37 0 0 0 0 63 0 11
2017 Other 34 26 22 9 9 0 0 61 18 13
2014 Executive 19 48 12 15 6 0 0 67 21 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 39 29 14 13 5 0 0 68 18 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 40 33 11 10 4 1 1 74 14 331
2014 Technical 23 22 23 18 14 0 0 45 32 22
2014 Administrative Support 43 30 24 3 0 0 0 73 3 34
2014 Operational 44 37 19 0 0 0 0 81 0 11
2014 Other 42 37 11 4 4 0 0 80 9 21

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 Executive 49 40 6 4 1 0 0 89 6 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 43 38 6 6 7 0 0 82 13 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 43 33 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 246
2017 Technical 36 18 18 9 18 0 0 55 27 11
2017 Administrative Support 28 18 17 28 9 0 0 46 37 11
2017 Other 54 41 5 0 0 0 0 95 0 13
2014 Executive 66 27 5 2 0 0 0 93 2 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 58 24 8 7 3 0 0 82 10 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 45 33 14 5 2 0 0 78 8 330
2014 Technical 46 32 9 5 9 0 0 77 14 22
2014 Administrative Support 41 39 14 6 0 0 0 80 6 34
2014 Operational 37 63 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 11
2014 Other 51 29 11 9 0 0 0 80 9 21

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 Executive 55 34 4 6 1 0 0 89 7 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 53 30 9 4 4 0 0 83 8 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 46 35 9 7 3 0 0 81 10 247
2017 Technical 45 27 0 9 18 0 0 73 27 11
2017 Administrative Support 28 46 17 9 0 0 0 74 9 11
2017 Other 54 46 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 13
2014 Executive 57 38 4 1 0 0 0 95 1 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 53 32 7 3 4 0 0 85 8 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 50 34 7 5 3 1 0 85 7 330
2014 Technical 50 36 0 9 5 0 0 86 14 22
2014 Administrative Support 39 44 8 0 9 0 0 83 9 34
2014 Operational 56 35 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 11
2014 Other 51 29 11 9 0 0 0 80 9 21
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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 Executive 58 23 4 11 3 1 0 82 14 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 62 19 5 6 7 0 1 81 13 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 58 20 7 8 7 0 0 78 15 247
2017 Technical 45 18 9 0 27 0 0 64 27 11
2017 Administrative Support 64 26 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 11
2017 Other 81 19 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 13

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 Executive 64 16 8 7 4 0 0 80 11 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 60 21 5 6 7 1 1 82 13 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 57 20 9 6 8 0 0 77 13 247
2017 Technical 36 18 18 0 27 0 0 55 27 11
2017 Administrative Support 64 36 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 11
2017 Other 72 24 5 0 0 0 0 95 0 13

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 Executive 41 39 6 8 6 0 0 80 14 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 36 36 9 9 9 1 0 73 18 130
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 33 31 10 14 12 0 0 64 26 247
2017 Technical 9 18 18 9 45 0 0 27 55 11
2017 Administrative Support 28 17 28 28 0 0 0 45 28 11
2017 Other 78 13 9 0 0 0 0 91 0 13

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 Executive 49 31 11 8 0 0 0 80 8 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 34 36 16 5 7 2 0 71 13 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 37 38 11 7 5 2 0 77 12 247
2017 Technical 9 55 9 0 27 0 0 64 27 11
2017 Administrative Support 18 26 37 18 0 0 0 45 18 11
2017 Other 78 9 9 0 0 5 0 91 0 13

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 Executive 0 5 41 36 19 0 0 5 55 65
2017 Scientific and Professional 2 15 39 29 14 1 0 17 44 131
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 2 16 37 30 13 0 1 18 44 245
2017 Administrative Support 9 26 37 18 9 0 0 36 28 11
2017 Other 0 26 39 17 18 0 0 26 34 13

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 Executive 14 27 41 17 1 0 0 18 41 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 8 31 41 14 6 0 0 20 39 128
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 12 26 38 20 3 0 1 23 39 246
2017 Technical 10 20 40 10 10 0 10 22 33 10
2017 Administrative Support 0 46 37 17 0 0 0 17 46 11
2017 Other 18 22 34 18 9 0 0 26 40 13
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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 Executive 14 86 70
2017 Scientific and Professional 13 87 130
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 23 77 245
2017 Other 0 100 13
2014 Executive 10 90 82
2014 Scientific and Professional 10 90 112
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 16 84 329
2014 Technical 28 72 22
2014 Operational 0 100 11
2014 Other 0 100 21

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 50 10
2017 Scientific and Professional 39 18
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 43 55
2014 Scientific and Professional 65 11
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 39 52

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

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Scientific and Professional 72 18
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 65 55
2014 Scientific and Professional 44 11
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 62 52

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 10
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 18
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 9 52

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 Executive 0 10
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 18
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 55
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 11
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 52

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Executive 0 10
2017 Scientific and Professional 0 18
2014 Scientific and Professional 0 11
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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 Administration and Foreign Services 11 89 243
2017 Other 0 100 13
2014 Scientific and Professional 4 96 114
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 7 93 329
2014 Administrative Support 0 100 34
2014 Operational 0 100 11

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 23 27
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 57 19

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 71 27
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 76 19

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 Administration and Foreign Services 0 27
2014 Administration and Foreign Services 0 19

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Administration and Foreign Services 0 27