A Canada Border Services Agency officer talks with a driver crossing into Canada at the Douglas-Peace Arch border in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, August 9, 2021. The union for thousands of border workers has warned they’ll start job action on Friday afternoon if a new agreement isn’t reached before then. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A new federal survey shows employees at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) rank their workplaces among the least recommended in government.
The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey asked federal staff about leadership, well-being, pay and workplace culture. One key question focused on whether they would recommend their department as “a great place to work.”
Across the public service, 67 per cent of employees answered yes. At CBSA and Indian Oil and Gas Canada, only 46 per cent gave positive responses. At CSIS, 48 per cent recommended the workplace. At the Office of the Auditor General, 49 per cent felt the same.
CBSA staff express frustration
CBSA scored below average in areas such as work-life balance, job satisfaction and recognition. The agency says it remains committed to safe workplaces and the well-being of employees.
Jacqueline Roby, a CBSA spokesperson, said staff “have the right to work in an environment that is free from all forms of harassment.”
Mark Weber, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said the results do not surprise him. “We’re usually dead last or close to it,” he explained.
Weber said the agency often takes a hard line on discipline. He added that CBSA spends thousands fighting grievances that could cost less to settle. “Our members are disappointed, and it never seems to change,” Weber said.
He pointed to other problems, including staff shortages, frustration with the return-to-office mandate, and the rise of automation at borders. “Management keeps growing, while officers are stretched thin,” he added.
CSIS morale also low
At CSIS, employees gave low marks on recommending the workplace but high marks on pride in their work. Eighty-four per cent said they felt proud of what they do. About 77 per cent said they liked their job overall, which matches the wider public service average.
The Union of Safety and Justice Employees said morale at CSIS has long been weak. It pointed to delays in applying the 2022 collective agreement and a belief that union members face different treatment compared with non-union staff.
CSIS spokesperson Eric Balsam said the agency is reviewing the results. He noted that “CSIS continues to make improvements to ensure employees feel supported and valued.”
Other departments score high
Not all federal workplaces received poor reviews. Two small agencies, the RCMP External Review Committee and the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying, had perfect scores. Every staff member who responded called them great places to work.
Invest in Canada and the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada also scored over 90 per cent positive responses.
Survey details
The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey ran from October 28 to December 31. More than 186,000 staff from 93 departments and agencies responded, for a 50.5 per cent response rate. Statistics Canada carried out the survey with the Treasury Board’s human resources office.
