Job satisfaction among Canada’s federal public servants declined to 77% in 2024, down from 81% in 2022, according to the latest Public Service Employee Survey released Monday by Statistics Canada.
The survey of nearly 187,000 federal employees across 93 departments and agencies found that while most workers still take pride in their jobs, stress levels remain a significant concern for government employers.
Close to one-quarter of federal public servants reported experiencing high or very high stress levels at work, matching rates seen across the broader Canadian workforce. The finding suggests workplace stress challenges extend beyond the private sector into government operations.
Workplace mental health concerns persist
The proportion of federal employees who view their workplace as psychologically healthy dropped to 59% in 2024, down from 68% two years earlier. However, most workers said their immediate supervisors support their mental health and well-being.
“Eighty-one percent of employees said that their immediate supervisor supported their mental health and well-being, and 65% said that their department or agency does a good job raising awareness of mental health in the workplace,” the survey found.
The results come as employers across sectors grapple with rising workplace mental health concerns and changing employee expectations following the pandemic.
Recognition and value remain workplace priorities
Despite the declining satisfaction rates, most federal workers feel their contributions matter. Sixty-seven percent reported feeling valued at work, while 81% said team members value their ideas and opinions.
Nearly two-thirds of employees said they receive meaningful recognition for good work, and 82% understand how their role contributes to their department’s goals.
The survey, conducted from October 28 to December 31, 2024, achieved a 50.5% response rate across participating departments and agencies. It covers employees from indeterminate and term positions to seasonal, casual and student workers.
