Events, Initiatives and Training
Healthy us. Healthy campus. Rise and thrive at Ontario Tech.
Your Human Resources health and wellness supports and services, including the Healthy Workplace Committee are committed to providing the university community with opportunities to engage in activities that promote employee optimal health and well-being. Check out this web page often for updates on offerings that support a holistic approach to building a healthier workplace.
Do you have an idea for an event, speaker or initiative? The Healthy Workplace Committee welcomes your input, email wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca.
Current and Upcoming
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2025 Just For the Health of it Photo Contest: Running until Friday, September 5
People, Places, Pets and Pastimes
To support the university’s commitment to a healthy workplace, the university’s Healthy Workplace Committee (HWC) is pleased to announce the annual photo contest!
In response to feedback received, a new category has been added – pastimes! Get ready to snap photos of your favorite hobbies, ways you relax, re-charge and/or compete!
Photos should capture and clearly display images that fit into one of the following:
- Category A – People (Don’t forget work peers!)
- Category B – Places
- Category C – Pets
- Category D – Pastimes
Images must be accompanied by a caption identifying how the subject of the photo has supported your well-being. Tell us a little bit about your entry!
- View Contest Poster
The HWC will announce winning photos and award prizes in late September.
Please visit the Photo Contest web page for full contest details.
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Ridgeback Run Club – Summer 2025
Whether you’re preparing for the Chancellor’s Challenge 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:
- Wednesday July 9
- Tuesday July 22
- Thursday August 7
- Wednesday August 20
- Thursday August 28
- September dates are to be determined
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. -
Health Safety and Wellness Fair: Thursday, October 30
Save the Date
The 2025 Health Safety and Wellness Fair is scheduled for Thursday, October 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Founding Deans Atrium (SCI_W_ATR). Stay tunded for updates on the Health Safety and Wellness Fair web page. Hope to see you there!
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Crucial Conversations: November 3 - 7 & November 10 - 14
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
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- Date: Monday, November 3, 2025 to Friday, November 7, 2025 (2.5 hours x 5 days)
- Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Location: Virtual
- Target Audience: Employees
Crucial Conversations: Managers/Directors
- Date: Monday, November 10, 2025 to Friday November 14, 2025 (2.5 hours x 5 days)
- Time: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- Location: Virtual
- Target Audience: Managers/Directors
Note: Participants must attend all dates to receive their certificate.
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Reoccurring
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CRWC offering complimentary track/shower membership in June and July
The Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC) is excited to offer Ontario Tech faculty and staff a free one-month membership for use of the running/walking track and showers. The membership is available for the months of June and July, and must be renewed each month. It does not provide access to the fitness centre or gymnasiums, but if you would like to explore these facilities, please contact Dwayne Christo (Lead Facility Attendant) for three complimentary day passes.
Important: Please bring your own towel. Lockers are for daily use only.
Instructions for faculty/staff:- Go to the Campus Recreation registration web page.
- Log in using your Banner number and network password.
- Select Memberships.
- Select Faculty/Staff Track & Shower Membership - 1 Month and complete the registration.
- Your faculty/staff digital card will be required to scan at the CRWC to enter the turnstiles.
Summer group fitness classes have also begun. Visit the Fitness classes page for more information on how to register.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Orientation: Watch a recording or attend a live session
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-Minute Mini Orientation for Employees - Video Recording
- 25-Minute Full Orientation for Employees - Video Recording
- 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.
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Free Fitness Classes offered by CRWC
Free fitness classes offered by Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre for Staff and Faculty.
Visit the Group Fitness web page to book your spot.
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Healthy Workplace Committee (HWC) 2025 Recipe Calendar
Are you wondering what to make for dinner? Would you like to try a new recipe?
Look no further! The HWC 2025 Recipe Calendar is filled with delicious options contributed by Ontario Tech University colleagues! Each month highlights a different winning recipe that was selected as a part of a HWC 2024 recipe challenge! Also enjoy photos of people, places, pets, and peers that were submitted as part of the 2024 HWC annual photo contest!
Learning and Development
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Professional Development Courses
Ontario Tech University is proud to offer professional development workshops to all employees. Visit the Professional Development Courses webpage to view available offerings.