April Workplace Wellness Program Ideas
Many organizations provide free and credible resources to help you plan workplace wellness activities. We have highlighted some of them here, including our own, to help you develop and deliver a cost-effective program for your employees.
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Cancer Awareness Month/Daffodil Month
Encourage staff to not only fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society, but also to share their reasons for wanting to help beat cancer. This could help increase awareness of how this disease has touched so many lives. Resources and stories from people who have been affected by cancer are available online from the Canadian Cancer Society.
World Autism Awareness Day
April 2
Spread awareness about Autism and help your staff learn about how they can make a difference with ideas from Autism Speaks Canada.
World Health Day
April 7
Each year the World Health Organization provides downloadable Campaign Toolkits that include printable posters, handouts, information sheets, and activity ideas. They also have videos and run social media campaigns to engage your employees.
National Volunteer Week
April 16-22
Research has found that volunteering has a positive effect on mental health and social involvedness. Show appreciation to your staff and others who volunteer by using the ideas and resources from Mindful Employer Canada.
World Hemophilia Day
April 17
Use these resources to raise awareness of hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders and to increase sustainable and equitable access to care and treatment.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work and National Day of Mourning
April 28
On this day, help your staff learn about and discuss the importance of both physical and mental health and safety at work, commemorate those who died, were injured or became ill from their jobs, and show their commitment to helping protect workers and preventing workplace tragedies. Find resources for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work from United Nations and for the National Day or Mourning – including posters and podcasts – from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Featured workshop materials
Putting civility and respect on the agenda
Learn how to facilitate a team discussion to address and improve civility and respect in the workplace. This resource includes a guide and slides to help you get started.
Featured work-life balance tip
21-day health challenge
You can help reduce stress by engaging in habits that support nutrition without giving up all your favourites. Simply add in healthy choices by:
- Snacking on nourishing foods more often
- Drinking more water throughout your day
- Being aware of how much you consume when you’re stressed
- Planning ahead to make it easier to have healthy choices available
Being present while you are eating, rather than doing it mindlessly while multi-tasking, can make a big difference in what and how much you eat. Writing down everything you eat is also shown to increase awareness and healthy choices.
For the next 21 days, make sure you take that snack and lunch break and really enjoy – rather than just consume – your food.
Featured team building activity
Hero exercise
This team activity asks each member to anonymously share how they have contributed to a positive work environment. By sharing these stories, others may be inspired to do the same.
