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September Start Up: Wellness Toolkit

September can be a busy time of year, as we return from relaxing Summer days to the start of a new semester.  Changes in our day can feel stressful as we settle into our new routines and your Healthy Workplace Committee wants to support you with the below September Start Up: Wellness Toolkit that is updated annually.

New for September

Healthy Habits with Hunter Screen Cleaning Plush Dog Give-away

The Healthy Habits with Hunter Chrome Extension launched earlier this year and we want to hear your feedback. Employees who add Healthy Habits with Hunter to their laptop/computer/device and complete this feedback form by Tuesday, September 30, will receive a screen cleaning plush dog (while supplies last).

Move over October: Cross Canada Trek Returns

The Healthy Workplace Committee is excited to announce the return of the Move over October: Cross Canada Trek!  Together, our goal will be to get moving and travel across Canada during the month of October! 

How it works:

Please visit the Move Over October: Cross Canada Trek web page for full details.

Meet our Wellness Champions/Apply to be one today!

Wellness Champions are staff and faculty who play an important role in supporting the well-being of staff and faculty and ensuring two-way communication between your department/faculty and the Wellness at Work team. Read the bio of your Wellness Champion on our Meet the Wellness Champions web page. Don’t have a Champion in your area? Are you interested in applying? Apply today!

Resources

GoodLife – Corporate Membership Discount

Ontario Tech University employees (full-time continuing and limited-term) are eligible to receive an ongoing discount of 25% off a GoodLife membership and to have their enrollment fee waived (regular fee $99+tax). View the Corporate Membership Flyer to review the Corporate Membership Benefits. Feel free to take advantage of a complimentary day pass: https://partnerships.goodlifefitness.com/cert. For full details, please visit the Employee Resources web page-Employee Perks and Discounts.

Ergonomics Resources

Your well-being is important. Visit the Ergonomics Program webpage to take preventative action, ensuring your workstation is set-up to meet your needs. Review newly added resources on our Ergonomic Resources webpage.

FREE Programs from Sun Life
Lunches, Snacks and Packing

Dr. Sylvie Bardin, Healthy Workplace Committee member; Associate Teaching Professor, Faculty of Science; and Certified Nutritionist, has put together a list of helpful resources! 

Reminders

Chancellor's Challenge 2025

There is still time to register for the Chancellor's Challenge occuring on Saturday, September 20, 2025.  This 5K walk/run/roll is a fun, inclusive, non-competitive, pet-friendly event for all ages. The course winds along Ontario Tech's north campus, starting and finishing at Polonsky Commons. 
Bonus: Join the FREE Ridgeback Run Club, which is open to all levels, to help you prepare for the event.

First Aid and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

The First Aid and Automated External Defibrillators (AED)s webpage is intended to increase awareness of the Emergency Health Safety Stations as locations to find first aid equipment, including AEDs, on campus, provide videos showing how to use an AED, and other helpful resources. Please familiarize yourself with the location of your closest Emergency Health safety station and other throughout campus. 

Mandatory Training

A reminder to complete your Mandatory Employee Training within the first four weeks of hire. Have questions? Review our Mandatory Training Tip Sheet for details about modules available in Canvas or email healthandsafetytraining@ontariotechu.ca.

Order your FREE Calm Strip Today!

Calm Strips are textured sensory stickers.  These discreet fidget tools were crafted to provide sensory stimulation to help regulate restless energy and increase focus throughout the day.  Each strip has a special reusable adhesive that allows you to move the sticker from different objects, such as your laptop, cellphone, or water bottle, without leaving a residue. 

Email wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca to order your free Calm Strip today from the designs below.

Workshops and Training

Visit the Events, Initiatives and Training page for full details on training.

Save the Date

The annual Health, Safety and Wellness Fair is scheduled for Thursday, October 30 from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Science Building (SCI) West Atrium. Stop by to visit various vendors and enter draws for great prizes!