Employee Wellness

The Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Program at Nipissing University was developed to support staff and faculty to work safely and efficiently and to optimize their comfort. Workers across Nipissing perform a variety of jobs with different physical and cognitive demands.

Ergonomics applies scientific theory, principles and methods to explore the relationships between the worker job tasks and the workplace. Ergonomics removes barriers to quality, productivity, and safe human performance by fitting products (equipment), tasks and environments to people.

MSDs are strongly linked to risk factors or hazards in the workplace, therefore it is mandatory that all employees receive Ergonomics and MSD Prevention training.

Employee Training ❯   How to request an ergonomic assessment ❯

Offered most Fridays from 12:00PM – 1:00PM at the R.J Surtees Athletic Centre in Gym A.

Fall and Winter 2026 Schedule:

November 6, 13, 20, 27 

Limited equipment available on a first come first serve basis at the gym front desk. Feel free to bring your own paddle if you have one.

Join Carol on Wednesday's in Fitness Room #2 at the R.J Surtees Athletic Centre for our weekly yoga class. 

Time: 12:30 - 1:30PM

These classes are for everyone, whether you're brand new to yoga or a seasoned yogi. Come out and enjoy. 

Feel free to bring your own yoga mat if you have one, if not there are limited supplies available at the front desk. 

Nipissing University currently offers a complimentary gym membership as part of our ongoing wellness initiatives with the R.J. Surtees Athletic Centre until December 31, 2027. This great initiative is open to all FT and PT employees.

In order to participate in this initiative, please ensure to provide your employee card to access the gym. 

• If you currently have an employee card and want to participate in this initiative: Please drop in to see the Manager, Health and Wellness (B 215C) with your employee card to register the membership. Once the membership has been registered you can begin using your card to access the athletic facility.
• If you don't have an employee card and want to participate in this initiative: Individuals will need to submit a ticket to helpdesk.nipissingu.ca to request an employee card. Once the card is printed and received, drop in to see the Manager, Health and Wellness (B 215C) with your employee card to register the membership. Once the membership has been registered you can begin using your card to access the athletic facility.

Campus Respiratory Illness Guidelines

• Last Updated November 2027

With Autumn well upon us, we want to provide some public health guidance on how we all can learn to protect ourselves and our campus community from respiratory illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

If you are sick, we ask that you please stay home to prevent the transmission to others around you until all the following apply to you:

• You are fever free
• You do not have any new symptoms
• Your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (48 hours for gastro related symptoms)

When returning to campus wearing a 3-ply mask for ten (10) after your symptoms started can provide extra protection against the spread of respiratory illnesses. Please note that masks will continue to be provided at the main entrance.

Protection from respiratory illness

We strongly recommend that folks stay up to date with their routine immunization and seasonal immunizations. We are offering our annual flu shot campaign in conjunction with the Canadian Shield Health Care Services here on campus in November. You can find more information about our on campus clinics here. 

Personal protective measures are actions you can take to reduce the spread of viruses. Combining layers of protection are an effective way of preventing illness and can help reduce the risk of illness and the spread of respiratory illnesses to others.

Staying home when you are sick, washing your hands often and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze are simple ways help keep our campus community safe.

Please note that the North Bay, Parry Sound District Health Unit is also hosting walk-in clinics for flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. For more information click here. 

The Canadian Shield Health Care campus clinic will be hosting the annual influenza vaccine clinics on the following dates:

• Wednesday November 4, 2026
• Thursday November 5, 2026
• Wednesday November 18, 2026
• Thursday November 19, 2026

The vaccine clinics will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on each date.

The vaccine clinics will be held in The Village in room V304 and no appointments are necessary. These are open to all current students, employees and immediate family members of employees.

Important details:

1. Wear short sleeves or clothing which allows access to the upper arm
2. Bring your Ontario Health Card, other provincial health card including Quebec or a paper copy of your private insurance (ex. GuardMe) if you do not have a provincial health insurance plan

Join Michelle Her, Registered Dietitian for an in person, practical talk on eating well through Menopause. 

Menopause brings changes, and food can be a powerful ally. Michelle will cover how to preserve muscle mass with protein and movement, why bone and heart health matter, and how to navigate metabolic and body changes. You’ll leave with simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel strong, energized and well-nourished.

Date: November 26, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00PM

Those interested can register here by no later than Monday, November 23, 2026.