Measuring workplace psychosocial factors in the federal government

The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard) identifies 13 psychosocial factors affecting psychological health and safety in the workplace that employers should measure and monitor with the goal of addressing areas for improvement. This study sought to determine the suitability of the Public Service Employee Survey as a tool for the assessment of these psychosocial factors in public service employees. It also aimed to explore—in a preliminary manner—predictors of job satisfaction in these employees. Data from the 2017 and 2019 Public Service Employee Survey were analyzed. Specifically, exploratory structural modelling and tests of measurement invariance were used to identify a measurement model reflecting the psychosocial factors outlined in the Standard and to evaluate the equivalence of this model across both Public Service Employee Survey administrations.