Events, Initiatives and Training

We’ve heard that puzzles bring teams together, to socially connect and work toward a common, fun goal, so we are launching Ontario Tech Puzzles, a puzzle lending program!  Images that represent Ontario Tech have been turned into puzzles and are now available for you/your colleagues to borrow and complete.

Please visit the Puzzle Lending Program web page to view the available puzzles and request a puzzle today!

The Active Living Challenge (ALC) is a campus-wide recreation, fitness and wellness event aimed at promoting health and wellness into the new year. Participants can track their workouts, participation in recreational sports, and activities that demonstrate overall physical activity to complete their activity card for a chance to win weekly prizes, including the Challenge grand prize. The ALC is open to all students, staff and faculty members.

For full challenge details please visit the Active Living Challenge webpage.

Let’s Talk Day in Canada (Wednesday, January 21) focuses on advancing mental health by raising awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to education and support.  This year's theme is taking a moment for mental health. Ontario Tech University’s Mental Health Action Plan identifies themes and actions for supporting employee mental health and well-being. 

Booths

On Wednesday, January 21, visit the mental health information tables in the atriums of Charles Hall between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and Shawenjigewining Hall between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to:

• Learn more about accessing campus mental-health resources.

• Interact with pets from Therapeutic Paws of Canada

• Receive Let’s Talk Day giveaways.

Gift Card Prize Draw

Visit either booth or send a photo to wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca on or before January 21 to share how you take a moment to support your mental health to be entered into our random prize draw for Amazon gift cards!

Workshops - Register today!

• Learning to Recharge: Tues., Jan. 27 from 1-2 p.m. in-person, SHA-037 --> Participants receive a Break Kit and will be entered into a random draw to receive a 1-year subscription to Calm.
• The Working Mind-Employee Cohort: Thurs., Jan. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. virtual --> This evidence-based course featuring newly released updated content, is designed to initiate a shift in the way you think, feel and act with respect to mental health by increasing your awareness, reducing stigma and other barriers to care in the workplace, encouraging mental health conversations, and strengthening your resilience.

Let's continue the conversation, related to January 21's Let's Talk Day, focusing on supporting your mental health by finding time to recharge.  It may seem like a good work strategy to just do one more thing or push through. But, in fact, our focus and productivity go down when our energy is depleted. This means that we have to work harder and longer to get the same results than we would have had if we took the time to recharge. Attend this session to explore techniques to energize, calm your mind or relax your body and discover what you most need to recharge.

Give-away and Draw: Participants will receive a Break Kit to support recharging after this workshop (while quantities last) and everyone will be entered into a random draw to receive a 1-year subscription to Calm.

Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: In-person, SHA-037
Target Audience: All faculty and staff

Register by Friday, January 23

Being aware of how we manage and spend our money is the foundation of good financial health. In this webinar, beliefs about money will be explored and participants will learn about setting financial goals and the specifics steps in making a budget.

This one hour virutal webinar will be delivered by a subject matter expert from TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Program provider.

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Target Audience: All faculty and staff
Facilitator: Russell Sawatsky

Russell Sawatsky is an experienced financial planner and educator known for leading clear, practical discussions on personal finance. He brings a strong background in client-facing financial planning, adult education, and curriculum development, with a calm, structured facilitation style that makes complex topics easy to understand. His earlier work in ministry and long-term experience in Japan have shaped his strong listening skills and sensitivity to diverse perspectives. Russell is valued for his preparation, clarity, and thoughtful engagement with learners.

Register by Monday, January 26th

This evidence-based course, with newly released updated content, is designed to initiate a shift in the way you think, feel and act with respect to mental health by increasing your awareness, reducing stigma and other barriers to care in the workplace, encouraging mental health conversations, and strengthening your resilience. By accomplishing these goals, TWM aims to help you maintain your  wellness and support others living with a mental health condition in a psychologically healthy and safe work setting.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Target Audience: Faculty and Staff without direct reports

Register today!

Dive into the dynamic landscape of women’s health and explore evolving nutritional needs throughout various life stages.

This empowering session aims to equip participants with knowledge to nourish their bodies, addressing unique requirements from pregnancy to menopause. Uncover the crucial role of food in hormonal balance, addressing issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and menstrual cycles. Learn nutrition strategies for managing digestive health, menopausal symptoms, and reducing the risk of long-term health problems such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Additionally, discover practical tools for cultivating sustainable and healthy eating habits, along with time-saving tips for busy women juggling work and family life.

This one hour virtual workshop will be delivered by a subject matter expert from TELUS Health One, our Employee Assistance Program Provider.

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Target Audience: All faculty and staff
Facilitator: Judy Chodirker, MHSc, RD

Judy Chodirker is a graduate of the Master of Health Sciences (Community Nutrition) program at the University of Toronto. She received her Bachelor degree in Food and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) and then completed a dietetic internship at North York General Hospital. She has over 20 years of experience in clinical and community nutrition, as well as health related marketing and project management. Her areas of expertise include eating disorders, chronic disease and preventative health, women’s health and maternal, infant and child nutrition. 

Register by Monday, February 9, 2026

Join Dr. Sylvie Bardin, Associate Teaching Professor, Faculty of Science and Certified Nutritionist, to learn about how to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol.

Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Target Audience: All faculty and staff
Facilitator: Dr. Sylvie Bardin

For decades, cholesterol has been portrayed as the primary culprit behind heart disease. However, we now know that heart disease is far more complex, influenced by a wide range of factors, and that cholesterol itself may not be the villain it has long been made out to be.

In this workshop, I will explore the essential role cholesterol plays in the body, explain the different types of cholesterol, and clarify which type we should be worried about. We will examine the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease, along with other key factors that contribute to cardiovascular risk. Participants will also learn how lifestyle choices, including diet, physical activity, sleep, and emotional well-being, directly impact long-term heart health.

Register Here! 

When it comes to the health of relationships, teams, and organizations, one thing affects everything: communication. Backed by 30 years of social science, Crucial Conversation skills represent the standard in effective communication. Improve your skills and get better outcomes by attending a training course.

The communication skills taught in this training focus on a specific kind of interaction: those when stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. This is not a course on winning friends or winning people to your way of thinking; it’s about strengthening relationships and securing results in the moments that matter most.

This course teaches nine powerful skills for working through disagreement to achieve better resources: Get unstuck, Master my stories, Start with heart, State my path, Make it safe, Learn to look, Seek mutual purpose, Explore others’ paths, and Move to action.

Crucial Conversations: Managers/Directors

• • Date: Monday, March 2, 2026 to Friday, March 6, 2026 (2.5 hours x 5 days)
  • Time: 9:30 a.m. to Noon
  • Location: Virtual
  • Target Audience: Managers/Directors

REGISTER

When it comes to the health of relationships, teams, and organizations, one thing affects everything: communication. Backed by 30 years of social science, Crucial Conversation skills represent the standard in effective communication. Improve your skills and get better outcomes by attending a training course.

The communication skills taught in this training focus on a specific kind of interaction: those when stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. This is not a course on winning friends or winning people to your way of thinking; it’s about strengthening relationships and securing results in the moments that matter most.

This course teaches nine powerful skills for working through disagreement to achieve better resources: Get unstuck, Master my stories, Start with heart, State my path, Make it safe, Learn to look, Seek mutual purpose, Explore others’ paths, and Move to action.

Crucial Conversations: Employees

• • Date: Monday, April 27, 2026 to Friday, May 1, 2026 (2.5 hours x 5 days)
  • Time: 9:30 a.m. to Noon
  • Location: Virtual
  • Target Audience: Employees

REGISTER

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted in the Door Decorating Contest!  

After tabulating hundreds of votes, the winners are:

1st place: FBIT:

2nd place: IT Services 2:

3rd place: ACE:

It can be difficult to squeeze in time for our health and well-being with the holidays approaching, and limited daylight in our evenings.  The Winter Solstice occurs on December 21^st and is the day of the year when we have the least amount of daylight. 

To help you infuse wellness into your days, welcome Winter with our 12 Days of Self-Care until the Winter Solstice Activity Sheet.  Choose from activities that will help you connect with colleagues, get into the holiday spirit, and take time to be well. 

Winner: Thank you to everyone who participated!  The winner has been randomly drawn and contacted.

Whether you are new to Ontario Tech or wanting to refresh your knowledge of the supports and services available through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Program, please select the orientation format that works best for you.

1. 1-Minute Mini Orientation for Employees - Video Recording
2. 25-Minute Full Orientation for Employees - Video Recording
3. Virtual Orientations: Employee and Manager* sessions held live. Select the date within the Orientation Flyer that you would like to attend to register.

*Orientation for Manager video recordings are available on the Leader Supports webpage.

Free fitness classes offered by Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre for Staff and Faculty.

Visit the Group Fitness web page to book your spot.

Whether you’re preparing for a specific event or looking to get moving, join the Ridgeback Run Club (RRC)!  The RRC is open to all levels and runs rain or shine. 

Upcoming Dates:

• Resuming Spring 2026

Time: 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. (Start running at 12:16 p.m.)

Location: Meet at the front doors of Shawenjigewining Hall (east side of the building)

Get Active Questionnaire:
We want you to have a safe and enjoyable run experience, so please complete the Get Active Questionnaire and email your completed copy to wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca prior to attending your first run.  If you answer ‘yes’ to any questions within the Questionnaire, please review the Reference Document. 

Come out to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre and participate in our Durham College/Ontario Tech Staff and Faculty Pickleball Days.

Drop in as you wish - no sign-up or membership required, equipment is provided.

Schedule subject to change throughout the semester. Download the DCOT Campus Rec App for the up-to-date gym schedules.

Lunch Break Pickleball

• January 14,  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• January 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. 
• January 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• February 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. 
• February 11, 18,  25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• March 4,  11, 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• March 24, 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m.
• April 8,  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

• January 13, 27, 4 to 5 p.m. 
• February 10, 17, 24, to 5 p.m. 
• March 10, 17, 4 to 5 p.m. 
• April 7, 4 to 5 p.m. 

Contact information:

Have questions about this post? Feel free to reach out to the contact listed above — they’ll be happy to help!