In December, the University of Guelph was recognized with a 2019 Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month® Great Employer award from Excellence Canada and Canada Life.

The award celebrates organizations whose planning and actions help foster a physically and psychologically safe and healthy workplace, and that strive to continually improve their healthy workplace. The award emphasizes the importance of supporting:

  • Healthy Lifestyles
  • Mental Health and Workplace Culture
  • Physical Environment
  • Organizational Social Responsibility

“I am thrilled the University of Guelph has been recognized for its progress in creating a thriving workforce,” says Don O’Leary, vice-president (finance, administration and risk).

The University now has a three-year Wellness@Work Strategic Plan in place. Organizational psychological health has been identified as a key priority in the plan, in addition to continuing to build wellness leadership capacity at all levels of the organization.

“I’m excited to see what more we can accomplish together and am grateful for this important award,” O’Leary adds.

Healthy Workplace Month Highlights

U of G’s 2019 Healthy Workplace month kicked off with a Campus Mile event that encouraged employees to walk, run or roll on a one-mile course through the Guelph campus. Employees at the Simcoe Research Station took on the challenge themselves with their own Station Mile.

Throughout the month, more than 70 planned events focused on the well-being of the whole person.

Two workshops were recorded to make them accessible to employees at locations beyond the Guelph campus.

Faculty and staff – including those working the night shift – were encouraged to take their break during the third week of Healthy Workplace Month and enjoy a free hot beverage in locations around campus.

Learn more about U of G’s healthy workplace through our Wellness@Work website.