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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.

Set yourself up for Success

Healthy Habits with Hunter Screen Cleaning Plush Dog Give-away

The Healthy Habits with Hunter Chrome Extension was created in partnership with an FBIT Capstone student team in support of our Mental Health Action Plan.  Employees who add Healthy Habits with Hunter to their laptop/computer/device and email wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca with their internal mailing location by Wednesday, September 30, will receive a screen cleaning plush dog (while supplies last).

Move over October: Cross Canada Trek Returns

This month-long movement challenge is designed to help Ontario Tech employees build healthy habits, connect with colleagues, and celebrate progress together.  Together, our goal will be to 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

Providing Support

Faculty, employees or leaders are in key positions to observe warning signs that may indicate a colleague, team member, or student needs assistance. Review the How to Give Help web page to learn how to provide support.

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! 

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

Reminders

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 others throughout campus. 

Just for the Health of it Photo Contest

Continue snapping photos of your favourite people, places, pets and pastimes!  Contest closes September 11.

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.

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).  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-GoodLife-Corporate Membership.

Workshops and Training

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

Save the Date

Community Day: 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

Health Safety and Wellness Fair: Thursday, October 29

The annual Health, Safety and Wellness Fair is scheduled for Thursday, October 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Science Building (SCI) Founding Deans West Atrium. Stop by to visit various vendors and enter draws for great prizes!