The University’s efforts toward workplace wellness received a boost Wednesday, with a “platinum level” award from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

The Healthy Workplace Award acknowledges the University’s leadership in “developing and implementing programs and policies that promote and support the health and well-being” of employees, retirees and their families. The campus was one of 29 local workplaces honoured.

“This achievement is the result of the work of many individuals and departments across campus,” says Marcela Ciampa, manager of employee engagement and development for the Department of Human Resources. “The award not only recognizes the work being carried out by the Department of Human Resources and the Workplace Wellness Committee, it also recognizes the health promotion activities and programs being performed by many individuals and departments across the University.”

The nomination submission highlighted:

• the Take the Stairs Campaign, launched in March 2015 to challenge employees to take the stairs rather than elevators during the workday;
• monthly Wellness e-digests and seminars; and
• the Weight Watchers on Campus group.

The Workplace Wellness Committee continues to seek ideas to improve the well-being of employees, Ciampa says. She invites submissions to the committee’s online suggestion box.