Workplace Wellness Resources

• The TBDHU workplace wellness team provides guidance to leaders on creating a comprehensive wellness program in businesses and organizations. To learn more, visit our Workplace Health page.  Alternately, you can call 807-625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1-888-294-6630 or email workplacewellness@tbdhu.com to speak with a member of our wellness@work team.
• TBDHU offers workplaces support to conduct workplace assessments. Email workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.to learn more about our customizable employee interest survey and our comprehensive workplace wellness scorecard. 
• TBDHU also offers select training and networking events.

• Visit Superior Mental Wellness at Work for information and resources on promoting mental health in the workplace.

• Comprehensive information for workplaces on reducing the risk of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, is found on the Control of Infectious Diseases in the Workplace page.
• Employers and employees who have questions related to control of infectious diseases in the workplace or are looking for resources, can contact the Healthy Workplace Team by calling (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1-888-294-6630 or send an email to workplacewellness@tbdhu.com.

TBDHU offers physical activity promotion materials including:

• Posters promoting Canada’s 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (these include information on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep).
• Pedometers for organizations to sign out.

Helpful workplace resources to promote physical activity and healthy sleep: 

• Beyond Bike Racks - 12 Ways TBay Businesses Can Create and Support a Workplace Bike Culture (PDF)
• ParticipACTION - Physical Activity at Work
• CDC Workplace Physical Activity Break Guide
• Sleep Foundation: The link between sleep and job performance
• 12 Days of Sit Less Workplace Challenge Toolkit

Many adults spend a large portion of their day at work and typically eat at least one meal and snack during their workday. Eating well at work can have a significant impact on overall health and wellbeing. The foods we eat not only impact our physical health, but they also influence our mood and concentration. 

A healthy workplace nutrition environment is one of the main influences for eating well at work. This includes foods served at meetings or events, vending machines or cafeterias, fundraising, or foods left in common areas (e.g. the lunchroom, front desks, waiting areas). Having an environment that supports individuals to eat well at work benefits everyone.

Helpful Links

• *NEW - Community Conversations and Actions for Food Security Toolkit to help spread awareness and take collective action around the pervasive issue of food insecurity. This toolkit includes:
  • Shared meal – workplaces can decide on whether to organize catering or a potluck/nourish bowl event (our Nourish Bowl sign up sheet makes it easy to organize). 
  • Collective learning and discussion about food insecurity in Thunder Bay District – several great resources are suggested, but we strongly recommend reading one or both of the 2023 Cost of Eating Well Reports which include income scenarios and suggested advocacy actions.
  • Postcard writing blitz – use the "Food for All" postcard to write to elected officials about your concerns. Letter-style templates are also linked in the toolkit if you want to borrow wording or wish to send a longer letter or email.
• Recipe books to share group soups and salads - TBDHU (PDF) 
• Tips for Packing Workday Lunches (PDF) - TBDHU
  • Conseils pour vous préparer des dîners à emporter au travail (PDF)
• Nutrition and Mental Health Factsheet (PDF) - TBDHU
  • Nutrition et santé mentale (PDF)
• Guidelines for Serving Healthy Food and Beverages at Work (PDF) - TBDHU
  • Lignes directrices concernant les boissons et les aliments nutritifs à servir au travail (PDF)
• Canada’s Food Guide 
• Canada's Food Guide - Recipes
• General Nutrition Information - UnlockFood.ca

If you have questions about healthy eating and would like to speak to a Registered Dietitian, visit Health Connect Ontario or call 811 or 1-866-797-0000. It’s free!

• Employers wanting to encourage workers to quit smoking or vaping can find cessation services at TBDHU.com/quitsmoking.
• TBDHU reminds all employees and employers that workplaces and workplace vehicles are to remain smoke and vape free. For more information about the Smoke-free Ontario Act, visit: 
  • the Smoke-free Ontario Act Enforcement page
  • How the Smoke-Free Ontario Act Affects You Fact Sheets
• Email enforcement@tbdhu.com regarding any concerns about smoking or vaping in the workplace or to request free "No smoking" and "No Vaping" signage from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

As of June 1, 2023, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires that naloxone be available in some workplaces in case a worker has an opioid overdose. The temporary funding provided by the Ontario Government’s Workplace Naloxone Program for workplaces to access free training and naloxone kits is no longer available. However, employers are still required to comply with naloxone requirements under the OHSA. This includes acquiring naloxone kits, replacing contents when needed and providing training. All costs associated with compliance are now the employer’s responsibility. Employers can purchase a new naloxone kit through any vendor that is offering them for sale. Employers cannot use community naloxone programs (Ontario Naloxone Program or Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies) to access kits.

For more information, visit our preventing opioid overdose with naloxone page or Ontario’s Naloxone in the Workplace web page.

TBDHU offers a Naloxone Training Guide.  Employers can also visit the following links for more information on how to access naloxone training:

• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services - Naloxone awareness
• Public Services Health & Safety Association – Naloxone training e-learning
• Canadian Red Cross
• St. John Ambulance

• Did you know investing in breastfeeding/chestfeeding in the workplace can benefit everyone? As per the Ontario Public Health Association these benefits include:
  • Less absenteeism – breastfeeding parents are less likely to be absent from work to tend to a sick child.
  • Improved worker productivity, morale and loyalty – parents whose employers have recognized and assisted them in their goal of continued breastfeeding have improved work satisfaction.
  • Less staff turnover – breastfeeding parents are more likely to return to work, resulting in less staff turnover. This enables employers to keep trained, experienced and motivated staff.
• The Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Guide (by the Ontario Public Health Association) outlines the benefits of investing in breastfeeding/chestfeeding support in the workplace, creating a policy, and tips for creating a good lactation environment.
• For information about human rights and breastfeeding in the workplace and supporting workers in a discrimination free environment, visit Ontario Human Rights Commission Policy on Preventing Discrimination Because of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
• The Pregnancy and Breastfeeding brochure is a helpful resource to offer employees.
• The Grey Bruce Breastfeeding Friendly Business Toolkit (PDF) is a guide for businesses on making their establishments more welcoming to breastfeeding families and employees.
• Employers can refer employees with questions about lactation to:
  • TBDHU Lactation Services where a Public Health Nurse can answer questions about lactation during pregnancy, while on leave, or after delivery. Appointments are offered onsite, in the home, virtually or by phone. For more information, call 807-625-8827 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630 or contact us by email at: lactation@tbdhu.com. More information on lactation in general is available at TBDHU.com/lactation. 
  • Ontario's Health 811 service offers 24/7 support from a nurse or lactation consultant around breastfeeding/chestfeeding (call 811 or 1-866-797-0000).