Public Service Commission of Canada releases findings from the 2021 Staffing and Non-Partisanship Survey

From: Public Service Commission of Canada

News release

March 1, 2022 – Gatineau, Quebec

Today, the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) released the 2021 Staffing and Non-partisanship Survey results and Highlights Report.

The survey collected feedback from employees, hiring managers and staffing advisors on a wide range of topics related to hiring in the federal public service. Statistics Canada administered the survey, and 75 440 employees from 75 federal departments and agencies completed it.

The results demonstrate considerable progress since the last survey in 2018, with improved results on employees’ views on the transparency, fairness and merit-based nature of federal public service staffing processes. Results also indicated employees’ satisfaction with their organization’s ability to successfully recruit the staff needed for daily operations and to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other findings point to important issues that will require action on the part of the PSC as well as departments and agencies. For example, we must address some perceptions:

  • 53% of employees believe that appointments depend on who you know; however, this perception is more prevalent among members of visible minorities (61%)
  • on all questions related to merit, fairness and transparency, Indigenous respondents expressed less positive views than their counterparts, with an average difference of 7.5 percentage points
  • 66% of hiring managers either don’t know if, or don’t believe that, individuals who are given priority consideration represent a valuable source of qualified candidates 

The PSC will continue to analyze results and work with key stakeholders to make further strides in improving public service hiring.

Quotes

“Progress has been made in employees’ perceptions of the staffing process. However, there are still areas for improvement. The PSC will work with its partners to address areas of concern.” 

- Patrick Borbey, President of the Public Service Commission of Canada

Quick facts

  • In 2021, compared to 2018, a greater proportion of employees agreed that the people hired in their work units could do the job (83% versus 50%). 

  • Employees’ perceptions of fairness in staffing also improved in 2021 compared to 2018. There was an increase in the share of employees who agreed that appointments were done fairly (74% versus 41%). 

  • Employees were also more likely to report that staffing activities were carried out in a transparent way in 2021 compared to 2018 (69% versus 39%). 

  • 91% of managers feel that the process of selecting a person for a position is done fairly, compared to 71% in 2018.

  • The PSC is responsible for administering the provisions of the Public Service Employment Act and the Public Service Employment Regulations for priority measures that help public servants with career transitions due to various life and work-related events. Events could include being medically released from the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, acquiring a disability or relocating with a spouse or common-law partner.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Public Service Commission of Canada
Email: cfp.media.psc@cfp-psc.gc.ca

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