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 ❯

Please join us in person or virtually, on Thursday May 28th, 2026 at 1:00PM for an evidence-based information session facilitated by local Registered Dietitian Michelle Her.

This session will explore the fascinating world of the human gut microbiome. Discover how the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive system influence digestion, immunity, mental well-being, inflammation, and chronic disease risk.

Michelle brings unique insight from her undergraduate and graduate work with Western Heads East, an innovative program that used probiotic foods to support health and sustainable development in low-income communities in Africa.  

In this session, you will learn:

• What the gut microbiome is and why it matters
• How diet, lifestyle and medications shape gut health
• The connection between the gut, brain, and immune system
• Foods and habits that support a healthy microbiome
• Practical nutrition strategies you can start using right away

Those interested in attending are asked to register in advance using the following  link.

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

NEW: We're able to offer a few gym times for pickleball on weekends in April, see details below!!

Spring and Summer 2026 Schedule:

May 15, 22 & 29

June 19

July 24

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.

Our weekly Yoga sessions are paused for Spring and Summer. We'll see you in the Fall. Namaste!

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, 2026. 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 September 2025

As we welcome the fall season, 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, Measles 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 will be offering our annual flu shot campaign in conjunction with the Canadian Shield Health Care Services here on campus. Keep an eye out for an upcoming email about this campaign.

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.

Vaccine recommendations for optimal protection against Measles

Currently the best protection against Measles is immunization and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit advises that all adults born before 1970 are presumed to have natural immunity to measles. All other individuals born after 1970 are recommended to ensure they have had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

Individuals who are unable to work due to any respiratory illness, will be required to utilize sick leave credits if available. Employees without sick leave credits will be required to use vacation time or leave without pay.

For more information, please visit the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit

Should you have any questions, please contact Michelle Banks, Manager, Health and Wellness via email at michellb@nipissingu.ca.