UOIT promoting workplace wellness through photo contest

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is committed to ensuring a healthy, safe and supportive workplace. Through the efforts of UOIT’s Healthy Workplace Committee (HWC), the university offers a variety of resources and programs that strive to support a positive work environment, foster healthy and engaged employees, and promote physical and emotional wellness.

One initiative during the summer of 2014 was the HWC’s Just for the Health of It photo contest, where employees were asked to demonstrate participation in activities involving  physical fitness and fun.

“Everything we can do to promote a healthy culture each and every day helps all of us be well, and this friendly contest seemed like a great way to achieve that,” said Mary Steele, HWC Chair. “We are excited that we had a terrific number of submissions, each showing employees and families enjoying a balance between work, healthy lifestyle and life away from work.”

Participants submitted photos in three different categories:

• Physical fitness @ UOIT
• Family and friends
• Individual/reflection

Prizes included UOIT gym wear, gift cards, a Reebok step, family season passes to the Ridgebacks games and personal fitness training sessions. 

• View winning Just for the Health of It photos and honourable mentions

Upcoming HWC initiatives include a Carnations for Kindness event, and participating in global Random Acts of Kindness Day on Thursday, November 13.

HWC events in the past have included a campus Health and Wellness Fair, and promotion of the UOIT-created Mindsight program – an easy-to-use online educational resource to reduce stigma by promoting awareness of mental illness and facilitating a greater understanding of basic strategies and resources for supporting individuals experiencing a mental health challenge.