Canadian Survey on Working Conditions 2024-2025

The Canadian Survey on Working Conditions started collection in September of 2024.

Questionnaire flow within the collection application is controlled dynamically based on responses provided throughout the survey. Therefore, some respondents will not receive all questions.

Question wording within the collection application is controlled dynamically based on responses provided throughout the survey and from responses originally provided in the Labour Force Survey (LFS). For simplicity, because of the complex logic within the application, not all variations of these questions are presented.

Respondent Confirmation Block

AGE_Q01/Q1 - What is your date of birth?

Year
Month
Day

GDR_Q10/Q2 - What is your gender?

Is it:

  1. Male
  2. Female
  3. Or please specify
    • Specify your gender

WRK_Q05/Q3 - Can you confirm that you worked or were temporarily absent from a job or business during the week of [Sunday, August 11 to Saturday, August 17, 2024]?

  1. Yes
  2. No, did not have a job or a business during that week

CHG_Q05/Q4 - Do you still have the main job or business you had [during the week of Sunday, August 11 to Saturday, August 17, 2024]?

[Your main job or business is the one where you worked the most hours during that week.]

Would you say:

  1. Yes
  2. Yes, but temporarily absent
    e.g., vacation, illness, work schedule, layoff or strike
  3. No

CHG_Q06/Q5 - Did you work at this main job or business for at least 1 hour in the last 12 months?

  1. Yes
  2. No

CHG_Q10/Q6 - Can you confirm that you are [an employee/self-employed] [in your main job/in your main business]?

[Your main job or business is the one where you worked the most hours during that week.]

  • Employees work for pay (wages, salary, tips or commissions)
  • Self-employed workers own a business, farm or professional practice or work as an independent contractor, painter, babysitter, etc.

Is it:

  1. Yes, you are [an employee/self-employed]
  2. No, you are [an employee/self-employed]
  3. No, working in a family business without pay

Work Location Block

WFH_Q01/Q7 - In which of the following locations do you usually work as part of your main job or business?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. At a fixed location outside the home
  2. Outside the home with no fixed location
    e.g., driving, door-to-door sales
  3. At home
    Include farms and all work done at the same address as your home, but on a different part of the property.

Job Permanence Block

JP_Q05/Q8 - What type of contract or agreement do you have in your main job or business?

Is it:

  1. Permanent or until retirement
  2. Ongoing with no specified end date
    Exclude temporary or seasonal contracts that are regularly renewed.
  3. For a specific duration
    e.g., seasonal, term
    Include temporary or seasonal contracts that are regularly renewed.
  4. Until a task or project is completed

JP_Q10/Q9 -Which of the following applies to your main job?

Select all that apply

Would you say:

  1. It is a seasonal job
    e.g., you only work during a specific season
  2. It covers a period of training
    e.g., apprentice, trainee, etc.
    OR
  3. None of the above

JP_Q15/Q10 - In your main job or business, are you paid by a private private employment or temp agency that is different from the company or organization you work for?

Would you say:

  1. Yes, paid by a private employment or temp agency
  2. No

JP_Q20/Q11 - What is the total duration of your contract or agreement in your main job?

Provide the entire duration of the contract or agreement, not the remaining time.

If you are paid by an employment or temp agency, refer to the duration of the current placement, not the relationship with the agency.

Is it:

  1. Less than 3 months
  2. From 3 months to less than 6 months
  3. From 6 months to less than 12 months
  4. 12 months or longer
    OR
  5. Casual job with no specific end date

JP_Q21/Q12 - In your mainjob, do you have a specific number of hours you aresupposed to work?

e.g., monthly, weekly, annually.

  1. Yes
  2. No

JP_Q25/Q13 - Are you at least guaranteed that you will get some work or hours in your mainjob?

Would you say:

  1. Yes
  2. No minimum number of hours guaranteed, contacted when needed

JP_Q30/Q14 - What forms of payment doyou receive in your main job or business?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. A wage or salary
    e.g., hourly, weekly, annual
  2. Piece rate
  3. Commissions
    e.g., percentage of a sale
  4. Tips
  5. Bonus or performance pay
  6. Charges or fees for services
    e.g., taxi fares, fees charged for legal or professional services
  7. Based on profit
    Any other situation where earnings are based on revenue or thefinancial performance of a business.
    Include profit-based revenue, as well as dividends, profit sharing, stock options.
  8. Other
    OR
  9. Don't know

JP_Q35/Q15 - What is the main form of payment you receive in your main job or business?

The main form of payment is the one that accounts for most of your remuneration.

Would you say:

  1. A wage or salary
    e.g., hourly, weekly, annual
  2. Piece rate
  3. Commissions
    e.g., percentage of a sale
  4. Tips
  5. Bonus or performance pay
  6. Charges or fees for services
    e.g., taxi fares, fees charged for legal or professional services
  7. Based on profit
    Any other situation where earnings are based on revenue or the financial performance of a business.
    Include profit-based revenue, as well as dividends, profit sharing, stock options.
  8. Other

Work Environment Block

PE_Q05/Q16 - In the last 12 months how often were you exposed to the following working conditions as part of your main job or business?

If you worked at this job or business for less than 12 months, refer to the entire duration of your employment.

Is it:

 

All of the time

Almost all of the time

Around 3/4 of the time

Around half of the time

Some of the time

Never

Vibrations from hand tools, machinery etc.

            

Noise so loud that you would have to raise your voice to talk to people

            

High temperatures which make you sweat even when not working

            

Low temperatures whether indoors or outdoors

            

Breathing in smoke, fumes powder or dust
e.g., welding or exhaust fumes, wood dust or mineral dust

            

Breathing in vapours such as solvents and thinners

            

Handling or being in skin contact with chemical products or hazardous substances
e.g., as flammable liquids and gases

            

Handling or being in direct contact with materials which can be infectious
e.g., waste, bodily fluids,
laboratory materials

            

Tobacco or cannabis smoke, or vape aerosol from other people

            

PE_Q10/Q17 - In the last 12 months, how often did your work at main job or business involve doing the following?

 

All of the time

Almost all of the time

Around 3/4 of the time

Around half of the time

Some of the time

Never

Lifting or moving people

            

Manually carrying, lifting or pushing heavy loads

            

Repetitive hand or arm movements for extended periods
e.g., packing, sorting, assembling, cleaning, pulling, pushing, typing

            

Working with computers, laptops, smartphones etc.

            

Working in awkward, tiring or painful positions
e.g., excessive bending and twisting

            

PE_Q15/Q18 - In the last 12 months, how often did you experience the following situations at your main job or business?

 

All of the time

Almost all of the time

Around 3/4 of the time

Around half of the time

Sometimes

Never

Handling angry or dissatisfied clients, customers, patients, pupils etc.

            

Being in situations that are emotionally disturbing for you

            

WTQ_Q05/Q19 - In your main job or business, how many times a month do you normally work at night, for at least 2 hours between 10:00 pm and 05:00 am?

Is it:

  1. Never
  2. Less than once a month
  3. 1 or 2 nights per month
  4. 3 to 5 nights per month
  5. 6 to 10 nights per month
  6. 11 to 20 nights per month
  7. More than 20 nights per month

WTQ_Q10/Q20 - And how many times a month do you normally work on Saturdays?

Is it:

  1. Never
  2. Less than once a month
  3. 1 Saturday per month
  4. 2 Saturdays per month
  5. 3 Saturdays per month
  6. Every Saturday

WTQ_Q15/Q21 - And how many times a month do you normally work on Sundays?

Is it:

  1. Never
  2. Less than once a month
  3. 1 Sunday per month
  4. 2 Sundays per month
  5. 3 Sundays per month
  6. Every Sunday

WTQ_Q20/Q22 - And how many times a month do you normally work more than 10 hours a day?

Is it:

  1. Never
  2. Less than once a month
  3. 1 or 2 days per month
  4. 3 to 5 days per month
  5. 6 to 10 days per month
  6. 11 to 20 days per month
  7. More than 20 days per month

WTQ_Q25/Q23 - In the last month, did it occur at least once that you had less than 11 hours between the end of one working day and the start of the next working day as part of your main job or business?

  1. Yes 
  2. No 

WTQ_Q30/Q24 - How is your schedule usually organized in your main job or business?

Usually, do you work:

 

Yes

No

The same number of hours every day

    

The same number of days every week

    

The same number of hours every week

    

Fixed starting and finishing times

    

Shifts
Establishments such as hospitals or factories may operate continuously and organize work based on night, morning, day or evening shifts.

    

WTQ_Q35/Q25 - And what type of shifts do you mainly work?

Is it:

  1. Daily split shifts (with a break of at least 4 hours in between)
  2. Permanent shifts
    e.g., morning, afternoon or night
  3. Alternating or rotating shifts
  4. Other

WTQ_Q40/Q26 - In the last 12 months, how often have you had to come into work or connect to a work device at short notice for your main job or business? 

e.g., at times when you did not expect to be working

Was it:

  1. Daily
  2. Several times a week
  3. Several times a month
  4. Once a month or less
  5. Never

WTQ_Q45/Q27 - In the last 12 months, how often have you done unpaid work in your free time to meet work demands at yourmain job or business? 

e.g., at times when you were not originally scheduled to work.

Was it:

  1. Daily
  2. Several times a week
  3. Several times a month
  4. Once a month or less
  5. Never

WTQ_Q50/Q28 - How are your working time arrangements set in yourmainjob?

Would you say:

  1. They are set by the employer
  2. You can choose between several fixed working schedules determined by the employer
  3. You can adapt your working hours within certain limits
    e.g., flextime
  4. Your working hours are entirely determined by yourself

WTQ_Q55/Q29 - Does your employer regularly change your working time?

e.g., change in hours, schedule

  1. Yes
    • When are you usually informed of these changes?
      Would you say:
      1. The same day
      2. The day before
      3. Several days in advance
      4. Several weeks in advance or more
  2. No

WTQ_Q60/Q30 - At yourmain job or business, how easy is it for you to take an hour or two off for personal or family matters during working hours?

Is it:

  1. Very easy
  2. Easy
  3. Difficult
  4. Very difficult

WI_Q05/Q31 - In the last 12 months, how often did your main job or business involve the following situations?

Remember that if you have worked at this job or business for less than 12 months, refer to the entire duration of your employment.

 

All of the time

Almost all of the time

Around 3/4 of the time

Around half of the time

Some of the time

Never

Working at very high speed

            

Working to tight deadlines

            

WI_Q10/Q32 - In yourmain job or business, is your pace of work usually dependent on any of the following?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. The work done by colleagues, staff or supervisors
  2. Direct demands from people such as customers, passengers, students, patients, etc.
  3. Numerical production targets or performance targets
  4. Speed or reliability of a machine or movement of a product 
  5. Automated software or computer procedures
  6. The direct control of your boss
  7. Weather conditions
    OR
  8. None of the above

WI_Q15/Q33 - As part of your main job or business, how often do you have to interrupt a task you are doing in order to take on an unforeseen task?

Is it:

  1. Very often
  2. Fairly often
  3. Occasionally
  4. Never

WI_Q20/Q34 - To what extent do these interruptions usually disrupt your work?

Is it:

  1. A lot
  2. Moderately
  3. A little
  4. Not at all

WI_Q25/Q35 - Usually, does your main job or business involve any of the following?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. Meeting precise quality standards
  2. Solving unforeseen problems on your own
  3. Monotonous tasks
  4. Complex tasks
  5. Learning new things
    OR
  6. None of the above

WI_Q30/Q36 - In your main job or business, how often are you usually able to choose or change the following aspects of your work?

 

Always

Often

Some of the time

Rarely

Never

The sequence of your tasks

          

Your methods of work

          

Your speed or rate of work

          

SE_Q05/Q37 - For each of the following statements, please select the response which best describes your work situation in your main job or business during the last 12 months.

 

Always

Most of the time

Some of the time

Rarely

Never

N/A

Your colleagues help and support you

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your manager helps and supports you

    

 

 

 

 

You are consulted before objectives are set for your work

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know what is expected of you at work

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can influence decisions that are important for your work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are involved in improving the work organization or work processes of your organization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SE_Q10/Q38 - For each of the following statements, please select the response which best describes your work situation in your main job or business during the last 12 months.

 

Always

Most of the time

Some of the time

Rarely

Never

You have enough time to get the job done

 

 

 

 

 

You have the feeling of doing useful work

 

 

 

 

 

You are able to apply your own ideas in your work

 

 

 

 

 

Your job requires that you hide your feelings

 

 

 

 

 

SE_Q15/Q39 - To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your immediate boss or supervisor?

In your main job:

 

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

N/A

Your immediate boss [respected/respects] you as a person

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your immediate boss [gave/gives] you praise and recognition when you [did/do] a good job

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your immediate boss [was/is] successful in getting people to work together

            

Your immediate boss [was/is] helpful in getting the job done

 

 

 

 

 

 

Violence, Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace Block

ASB_Q05/Q40 - In the last 12 months, how often have you been subjected to any of the following your main job or business?

If you have worked at this job or business for less than 12 months, refer to the entire duration of your employment.

 

Daily or almost daily  

Often

From time to time

Once

Never

Verbal abuse
e.g., profanities, verbal belittling

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unwanted sexual attention or sexual harassment

          

Threats
e.g., threats of physical violence or other harmful acts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humiliating behaviour
e.g., actions or behaviours intending to belittle or embarrass you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical violence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other forms of bullying and harassment
e.g., creation of a toxic or intimidating work environment through a combination of behaviours or actions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASB_Q10/Q41 - From whom did you experience these instances of violence or harassment in the last 12 months?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. Supervisor or manager
  2. Colleague or peer
  3. Your employee
  4. Client, patient or student
  5. Board member or shareholder
  6. Other
    Please specify from whom you experienced violence or harassment

DIS_Q05/Q42 - In the last 12 months, how often have you experienced unfair treatment, racism or discrimination at your main job or business?  

Discrimination is an action or decision that negatively affects a person or a group for reasons such as age, ethnic origin, language, sex or gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

Was it:

  1. Never 
  2. Once 
  3. From time to time
  4. Often 
  5. Daily or almost daily 

DIS_Q10/Q43 - What was this unfair treatment, racism or discrimination based on?

Select all that apply. 

Would you say:

  1. Indigenous identity
  2. Ethnicity or culture
  3. Race or skin colour
  4. Religion
  5. Language
  6. Accent
  7. Physical appearance
    Include discrimination on the basis of weight, height, hair style or colour, clothing, jewelry, tattoos and other physical characteristics.
    Exclude discrimination on the basis of skin colour.
  8. Sex
    Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.
  9. Sexual orientation
    e.g., heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual
  10. Gender identity or expression
    Include gender diverse identities such as two-spirit or nonbinary.
  11. Age 
  12. Physical or mental disability
  13. Nationality or immigration status
  14. Some other reason

DIS_Q15/Q44 - In the last 12 months, in which of the following ways did this unfair treatment, racism or discrimination occur at your main job or business?

Select all that apply. 

Would you say:

  1. Ignored by others
  2. Made to feel uncomfortable
  3. People talked behind your back
  4. Promotion or training was denied
  5. Was given too much work
  6. Was given less challenging or interesting work
  7. Direct discriminatory remarks
  8. Had your authority or knowledge challenged
  9. Had someone try to "put you in your place"
  10. Was excluded from networking opportunities
  11. Someone assumed you did not have much to contribute to the conversation
  12. Other
    Please specify how you experienced unfair treatment, racism or discrimination

Skills Training Block

TR_Q05/Q45 - In the last 12 months, did you participate in training, including workshops, seminars, or courses to improve your skills?

Exclude the regular education system.

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. Training paid for or provided through your main job or business
  2. On-the-job training from your supervisor or manager at your main job or business
  3. On-the-job training from co-workers at your main job or business
  4. Training paid by yourself
  5. Training paid by others
    e.g., government programs
  6. Free training you accessed yourself
    OR
  7. None of the above

TR_Q10/Q46 - In the last 12 months, how many days in total did you spend in training [paid for or provided by your employer in your main job or business/to improve you skills]?

Was it:

  1. Half a day or less
  2. Half a day to one day
  3. 2 to 5 days
  4. 6 to 10 days
  5. 11 to 20 days
  6. 21 days or more

TR_Q15/Q47 - To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement regarding the [training your employer provided or paid for/skills training you took]in the last 12 months?

The training has helped you improve the way you work.

  1. Strongly agree
  2. Somewhat agree
  3. Neither agree nor disagree
  4. Somewhat disagree
  5. Strongly disagree

TR_Q20/Q48 - What was the focus of the [training your employer provided or paid for/skills training you took] in the last 12 months?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. Health and safety
  2. Corporate or cyber security
  3. Oral and written communication
  4. Reading
  5. Basic computer or digital skills
  6. Basic math and calculating
  7. Critical thinking
    e.g., Using logic and reasoning to question, discern, interpret and analyze various types of information to form an evidence-based conclusion or judgement
  8. Problem solving
    e.g., Identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop solutions or feasible options
  9. Technical, practical or job specific
  10. Management
  11. Teamwork
  12. Customer service
  13. Other skills

AI and Automation Block

AI_Q05/Q49 - In the last 12 months, did you use any of the following AI or automation technologies at work in your main job or business?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. Generative AI tools
    e.g., ChatGPT, Google Bard, DALL-E
  2. Machine learning
    Tools which are refined on large training datasets used to automate the prediction or classification of data
  3. Augmented reality
    Superimposes digital information, such as images, sounds, or texts onto the user's view of the real world.
  4. Automated guided vehicles (AGV ) or AGV systems
    e.g., self-driving vehicles
  5. Automated storage and retrieval systems
    Systems that use automated machines or robots to store and retrieve items from warehouses or storage facilities.
  6. Machine vision software or image recognition tools
    Software that can analyze and understand images or videos using artificial intelligence.
  7. Natural language processing
    e.g., autocomplete, language checking, language translation
  8. Robotics
  9. Voice recognition software
    e.g., Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, Cortana
    OR
  10. None of the above

Benefits Block

PRP_Q05/Q50 - To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your main job or business?

Your job or business offers good prospects for career advancement.

  1. Strongly agree
  2. Agree
  3. Neither agree nor disagree
  4. Disagree
  5. Strongly disagree

You might lose your main job or main self-employed income source in the next six months.

  1. Strongly agree
  2. Agree
  3. Neither agree nor disagree
  4. Disagree
  5. Strongly disagree

Leading up to Sunday, August 11 to Saturday, August 17, 2024, you had concerns you might lose your main job or main self-employed income source in the following six months.

  1. Strongly agree
  2. Agree
  3. Neither agree nor disagree
  4. Disagree
  5. Strongly disagree

PRP_Q10/Q51 - In your main job, do you participate in any of the following types of retirement plans?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  1. a group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
  2. a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP)
  3. a pension plan sponsored by your employer or union, other than the Canada or Québec Pension Plan
    OR
  4. None of the above
    OR
  5. Don't know

PRP_Q11/Q52 - How do you contribute to this employer or union-sponsored pension plan?

Is it:

  1. You pay an amount determined by your employer or union contract
    e.g., the same amount is deducted from your pay every month
  2. You can choose how much you contribute
  3. You do not contribute
    e.g., Only your employer contributes
  4. Don't know

PRP_Q15/Q53 - What kind of payments does this pension plan provide after retirement?

Is it:

  1. The plan guarantees regular income after retirement
  2. The income will depend on market conditions or how well the investment performs
  3. Don't know

PRP_Q20/Q54 - How many days of paid vacation leave are you entitled to per year at your main job or business?

Any vacation pay given in lieu of leave should be included. For example, if you receive 4% of vacation pay, indicate that you receive 10 working days per year, if you receive 6% of vacation pay, indicate that you receive 15 working days per year or if you receive 8% of vacation pay, indicate that you receive 20 working days per year.

Enter the value in days, e.g., 12.75.

Number of paid vacation days
e.g., if you are entitled to 2 weeks of vacation leave, put 10 days

OR

Don't know

PRP_Q25/Q55 - And how many days of paid sick leave are you entitled to per year at your main job or business?

Paid sick leave includes illness related absences during which your employer continues to pay your wages or salary.

Enter the value in days, e.g., 12.75.

Number of paid sick days
e.g., if you are entitled to 2 weeks of sick leave, put 10 days

OR

Don't know

Life and Job Satisfaction Block

WLS_Q05/Q56 - How satisfied are you with:

Your job or business in general?

Would you say:

  1. Very dissatisfied
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  
  11. Very satisfied

WLS_Q06/Q57 - How satisfied are you with:

The balance between your job and home life?

  • Very dissatisfied
  • Very satisfied

WLS_Q10/Q58 - Using a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means "Not at all" and 10 means "Completely" please answer the following questions in relation to your main job or business.

To what extent do you feel your main job or business isfulfilling for you?

  1. Not at all
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  
  11. Completely

LSM_Q01/Q59 - Using a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means "Very dissatisfied" and 10 means "Very satisfied", how doyou feel about your life as a whole right now?

  1. Very dissatisfied
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  
  11. Very satisfied

LSM_Q05/Q60 - Using a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means "Not at all" and 10 means "Completely", to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?

  1. Not at all
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  
  11. Completely

Health Block

HS_Q05/Q61 - In general, how is your mental health?

Would you say:

  1. Excellent
  2. Very good
  3. Good
  4. Fair
  5. Poor

HS_Q10/Q62 - In the last 12 months, have you suffered from any physical or mental health problem that was caused or made worse by working at your main job or business?

Include:

  • Any problem caused by a workplace injury or accident
  • Any pain-related conditions
  • Any other physical or mental health problem
  1. Yes
  2. No

HS_Q15/Q63 - How would you describe the most serious health problem caused or made worse by your main job or business during the last 12 months?

Is it:

  1. Backache
  2. Bone, joint or muscle problem in shoulders, neck and/or upper limbs
    e.g., arms, elbows, wrists, hands etc.
  3. Bone, joint or muscle problem in lower limbs
    e.g., hips, legs, knees, feet etc.
  4. Breathing or lung problem
  5. Skin problem
  6. Hearing problem
  7. Mental health-related problem
    e.g., stress, depression, anxiety, etc.
  8. Overall fatigue
  9. Headache and/or eyestrain
  10. Heart disease or attack, or other problems in the circulatory system
  11. Infectious disease
    e.g., virus, bacteria, or other type of infection
  12. Stomach, liver, kidney, or digestive problem
  13. Other type of health problem

HS_Q20/Q64 -What was the original cause of this health problem?

Was it:

  1. An accident at your main job or business
  2. Some other cause or factor at your main job or business
    e.g., stress, physical strain, long-term exposure to chemicals
  3. A different job or business
  4. An accident outside work
  5. Other
    • Please specify original cause of this health problem

HS_Q25/Q65 - How many days were you away from work or unable to work because of this most serious health problem in the last 12 months?

Number of days

OR

Did not miss any work days

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