2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Atlantic Canada Opportunities 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 Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 43 35 10 5 3 3 0 81 9 129391
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 51 35 8 4 2 1 0 86 6 507
2014 Public Service 40 35 14 4 3 4 1 79 7 180799
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 50 29 12 4 2 3 0 82 6 499

Question 2. Overall, my department or agency treats me with respect.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 37 38 9 9 6 0 0 75 16 129170
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 59 30 3 4 4 0 0 89 8 505
2014 Public Service 42 37 11 6 4 0 0 79 10 180763
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 59 29 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 499
2011 Public Service 37 39 12 7 5 0 0 76 12 198622
2011 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 54 34 7 3 2 0 0 87 5 606
2008 Public Service 33 40 12 8 5 0 0 74 13 165113
2008 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 50 37 6 4 3 0 0 87 7 625

Question 3. I am encouraged to be innovative or to take initiative in my work.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 31 35 14 11 8 0 0 66 20 129123
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 49 36 6 5 4 0 0 85 9 506
2014 Public Service 27 36 16 12 9 0 0 63 21 181760
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 42 33 12 9 4 0 0 76 12 499

Question 4. I believe I would be supported if I proposed a new idea, even though it might not work.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 22 36 16 14 10 1 0 59 24 129149
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 35 43 10 8 4 1 0 78 12 505

Question 5. I have support at work to balance my work and personal life.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 37 34 12 9 7 0 1 72 17 129247
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 60 26 6 4 3 0 0 87 7 506
2014 Public Service 36 34 12 10 7 0 1 71 16 181787
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 53 29 8 6 3 1 0 83 9 499
2011 Public Service 38 36 11 9 6 0 1 75 14 200742
2011 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 53 34 6 5 1 0 0 87 6 610

Question 6. I am satisfied with my department or agency.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 28 37 14 12 9 0 0 65 21 129339
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 54 34 4 4 4 0 0 88 8 506
2014 Public Service 27 36 17 12 7 0 0 64 20 180844
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 50 30 10 8 2 0 0 80 10 500
2011 Public Service 27 38 17 11 7 0 0 65 18 198568
2011 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 51 33 10 5 2 0 0 83 7 603
2008 Public Service 28 40 14 11 6 0 0 68 18 164994
2008 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 52 31 6 7 3 0 0 84 10 623

Question 7. Overall, I like my job.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 38 40 10 7 4 0 0 78 11 129381
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 59 30 4 3 3 0 0 90 6 507
2014 Public Service 39 40 11 6 4 0 0 79 9 181673
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 51 30 12 5 2 0 0 81 7 500
2011 Public Service 41 41 9 6 3 0 0 82 9 200825
2011 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 55 36 5 2 2 0 0 91 4 611
2008 Public Service 41 42 8 6 3 0 0 84 8 168963
2008 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 54 37 4 4 2 0 0 90 5 628
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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 Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 52 27 8 7 6 0 0 79 13 129496
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 68 21 5 3 3 0 0 88 6 506

Question 9. My immediate supervisor seems to care about me as a person.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 53 26 10 6 6 1 0 79 11 129278
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 70 19 6 2 3 1 0 89 5 505

Question 10. I would describe my workplace as being psychologically healthy.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 28 32 13 14 13 0 0 60 27 129340
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 50 30 8 6 6 0 0 80 12 506

Question 11. My department or agency does a good job of raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.
Survey year Organization Strongly agree
(%)		 Somewhat agree
(%)		 Neither agree nor disagree
(%)		 Somewhat disagree
(%)		 Strongly disagree
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 28 35 18 10 7 1 0 65 17 129187
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 55 33 5 4 2 0 0 88 6 506

Question 12. Overall, my level of work-related stress is…
Survey year Organization Very low
(%)		 Low
(%)		 Moderate
(%)		 High
(%)		 Very High
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 5 19 42 22 12 0 0 24 34 128015
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 6 26 46 14 7 0 0 33 21 497

Question 13. After my workday, I feel emotionally drained.
Survey year Organization Always/ Almost always
(%)		 Often
(%)		 Sometimes
(%)		 Rarely
(%)		 Never/ Almost never
(%)		 Don't know
(%)		 Not applicable
(%)		 Positive answers
(%)		 Negative answers
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 10 23 40 19 7 0 0 26 33 127955
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 6 15 41 28 11 0 0 38 20 502
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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 Organization Yes
(%)		 No
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 22 78 128162
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 12 88 499
2014 Public Service 19 81 180560
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 14 86 498

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 50 26543
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 55 59
2014 Public Service 50 32448
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 43 70

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 64 26545
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 71 59
2014 Public Service 63 32448
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 75 70

Question 15c. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 7 26542
2014 Public Service 7 32448
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 7 70

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 Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 5 26541
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 59
2014 Public Service 4 32448
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 70

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 6 26540
2014 Public Service 5 32448
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 70

Question 15f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 10 26541
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 15 59
2014 Public Service 9 32448

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 4 26538
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 59
2014 Public Service 4 32448
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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 Organization Yes
(%)		 No
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 12 88 128926
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 7 93 502
2014 Public Service 8 92 180400
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 4 96 498

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 36 14972
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 46 32
2014 Public Service 36 13828
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 32 19

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 79 14975
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 69 32
2014 Public Service 80 13828
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 73 19

Question 17c. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals working for me
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 4 14972
2014 Public Service 3 13828
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 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 Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 4 14970
2017 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 32
2014 Public Service 3 13828
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 19

Question 17e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 8 14972
2014 Public Service 7 13828
2014 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 0 19

Question 17f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 9 14972
2014 Public Service 8 13828

Question 17g. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Other
Survey year Organization  
(%)		 Total responses
2017 Public Service 7 14972
2014 Public Service 8 13828