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Events, initiatives and training

Building a healthier workplace — together.

Your Wellness at Work team, including the Healthy Workplace Committee, is passionate about creating opportunities that support whole-person well-being. From wellness events and educational workshops to resources that support physical, mental, emotional and social well-being, we're here to help you bring your best self to work every day.

Check back often for new events, wellness challenges, learning opportunities and resources designed to help you feel your best — at work and beyond.

Got an idea? We're always looking for new ways to support our community and welcome your suggestions for future wellness initiatives. Send your suggestions to wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca.

Current and upcoming

  • Just For the Health of it Photo Contest: June 22 - September 11

    Our annual Just for the Health of It photo contest has returned!

    Start snapping photos of your favourite people, places, pets and pastimes!

    Please visit the 2026 Just For the Health of it Photo Contest webpage for full contest details!

  • Community Day, featuring the Chancellor's Challenge and Homecoming: Saturday, October 3

    This re-imagined annual event unites the spirit of Homecoming with the energy of the Chancellor’s Challenge, now in its sixth year, creating one dynamic day at the heart of campus. Inspired by the mission of the university's Tech with a Conscience campaign, the day celebrates how innovation, human-centred thinking and community come together to create meaningful impact. And you're invited to experience all of it!

    Friends, families, neighbours, supporters, students, faculty, staff and alumni can enjoy the full lineup of events, including the Chancellor's Challenge run/walk/roll, lunch, an Ontario Tech Talk, exclusive tours, student showcases and more.

    Experience firsthand how Ontario Tech is shaping a brighter future through innovation guided by purpose, human integrity and values, all while celebrating what makes this university special: its people, its ideas and shared commitment to positive change.

    Community Day Registration and Event Info

  • Using AI Safely and Securely: Tuesday, October 6

    Generative AI is becoming part of everyday life by helping us communicate, learn and complete routine tasks. This practical session explores how to use AI more safely and securely by protecting personal and sensitive information, choosing trustworthy tools, verifying AI-generated content and recognizing AI-enabled scams.

    Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
    Time: 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
    Location: Virtual
    Target Audience: All faculty and staff

    Register

  • Crucial Conversations for Employees: October 19-23

    When it comes to the health of relationships, teams, and organizations, one thing affects everything: communication. Backed by 30 years of social science, Crucial Conversations 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 in which 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 results: 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.

    Date: Monday, October 19, 2026 to Friday, October 23, 2026 (2.5 hours x 5 days)
    Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon
    Location: Virtual
    Target Audience: Employees

    REGISTER

  • Crucial Conversations for Managers/Directors: November 16-20

    When it comes to the health of relationships, teams, and organizations, one thing affects everything: communication. Backed by 30 years of social science, Crucial Conversations 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 in which 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 results: 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.

    Date: Monday, November 16, 2026 to Friday, November 20, 2026 (2.5 hours x 5 days)
    Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon
    Location: Virtual
    Target Audience: Managers/Directors

    REGISTER

Reoccurring

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Orientation: Watch a recording or attend a live session

    Whether you are new to Ontario Tech or want 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 are 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 Wellness at Work for Leaders webpage.

  • Free fitness classes offered by CRWC

    Step into spring with the return of free group fitness classes. Returning on Monday, May 4, the FLEX Fitness Centre will offer an 8-week spring session with 15 group fitness classes for all fitness levels. We welcome you to visit our Group Fitness Classes webpage to learn how to reserve a spot in our classes.

    Registration opens 3 days before the class, with a limited number of participants on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your space in our free group fitness classes, visit the DC-OT Campus Recreation website.

    Not able to sign up or have a question? Please connect with fitnessservices@dc-ot.ca.

  • Puzzle Lending Program

    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 and your colleagues to borrow and complete.

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

  • Ridgeback Run Club

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

    Email List: To have your name added to the Ridgeback Run Club email distribution list to receive calendar invites and notifications of session changes due to weather, please complete this Registration Form.

    Upcoming Dates:

    • Thursday, July 30
    • Thursday, August 6
    • Wednesday, August 12
    • Wednesday, August 19
    • Wednesday, August 26

    Time: Start running at 12:10 p.m. for ~30 minutes

    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. 

Learning and development

Sustainability events

Please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist, with questions or if you require an accommodation in order to participate in any of the events.