Which government workers are unhappiest?

Employees at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) are the least likely to recommend their workplaces among public servants, according to a recent report.

Overall, 67% of public servants had a positive response when asked about their satisfaction with leadership, well-being, compensation, and whether they would recommend their department or agency as a “great place to work,” noted The Canadian Press (CP), citing the 2024 Public Service Employee Survey from Statistics Canada (StatCan).

CBSA and Indian Oil and Gas Canada tied for the lowest ranking, with only 46% of respondents from each agency indicating their workplace was a great place to work. CSIS followed closely with 48%, and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada scored 49%.

CBSA spokesperson Jacqueline Roby stated that the agency is committed to creating a safe workplace, supporting employee well-being, and ensuring workers’ “right to work in an environment that is free from all forms of harassment,” according to CP. However, the survey indicates that CBSA employees report lower satisfaction than the overall public service in areas such as work-life balance, job satisfaction, and recognition for their efforts.

Mark Weber, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, told CP that he was not surprised by the results, noting that CBSA is often ranked among the lowest agencies. Weber pointed to strict disciplinary practices, slow resolution of grievances, frustration with the return-to-office mandate, increased automation at borders, and staffing shortages as ongoing issues. He said morale remains low despite regular discussions with management.

At CSIS, 48% of employees would recommend their workplace, but 84% said they were proud of their work and 77% reported overall job satisfaction, matching the public service average.

The Union of Safety and Justice Employees said morale at CSIS tends to be low, citing concerns about unequal treatment of union members and delays in implementing the 2022 collective agreement.

CSIS spokesperson Eric Balsam said the agency is reviewing survey results to identify strengths and areas for improvement, and is committed to supporting and valuing employees, according to the CP report posted in CTV News.

In contrast, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) External Review Committee and the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada received perfect scores, with 100% of respondents recommending their workplaces. Invest in Canada and the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada also scored highly, with over 90% of staff giving positive responses.

Less than half of HR professionals are willing to recommend their employer to others, as many of them don't feel supported enough at work, according to a previous report.

Pride, satisfaction in public service

The same StatCan study found that most federal public servants in Canada continue to express pride in their work and satisfaction with their jobs. The survey, conducted in partnership with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, gathered responses from nearly 187,000 employees across 93 federal departments and agencies between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31, 2024.

Overall, 82% of public servants feel a sense of pride in their work, and 77% report being satisfied with their jobs. However, job satisfaction has declined since 2022, when it stood at 81%.

Around two-thirds (67%) of employees said they feel valued at work, while 81% believe their ideas and opinions are valued by their team members. Additionally, 64% reported receiving meaningful recognition for work well done, and 82% said they understand how their work contributes to departmental or agency goals.

The survey also points to ongoing challenges. Nearly one in four (24%) federal employees reported experiencing high or very high levels of stress at work, a rate consistent with the broader Canadian workforce. Only 59% described their workplace as psychologically healthy, down from 68% in 2022. Despite this, 81% of respondents said their immediate supervisor supports their mental health and well-being, and 65% believe their department or agency does a good job raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.

Workers globally have grown more confident over the past year, yet far fewer report being satisfied with their jobs, according to a previous ManpowerGroup report.