2020-2021 Well-being campaign: November

The 2020-2021 Well-being Campaign began in October, which was a very successful month in terms of raising awareness and promoting mental health. Healthy Workplace Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day gave ECCC’s employees, managers and senior management the opportunity to take part in numerous events from the Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and the Canada School of Public Service. We thank you for participating in the activities, including the stretching sessions and the promotion of mental health on your social networks. We all have a role to play in supporting a healthy workplace, and we appreciate your involvement and ongoing commitment.

The Well-being Campaign is officially beginning its second month, which centres on the theme of Respect. Respect is an essential part of all written communications, interactions and discussions in the workplace. The essence of respect is to treat people the way they want to be treated. We therefore encourage you to consult and promote the events and resources below to support respect in the workplace.

Celebrate awareness days

During the month of November, join us in recognizing the following awareness days that help foster a healthy and respectful workplace:

• Movember: Men's Health Awareness Month that focuses on the prevention of prostate and testicular cancer, the promotion of mental health and suicide prevention. Learn how you can get involved by visiting their website. Listen to Jean-François Claude, co-founder of the Federal Speakers Bureau for Mental Health, talk about common myths surrounding men's mental health and the resources available
• November 13: World Kindness Day is an international celebration observed in many countries, including Canada. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition, bridging any gap based on race, religion, gender, politics and any other factors. Acts of kindness are even more important now that we face the challenge of COVID-19
• November 16: International Day for Tolerance aims to strengthen tolerance between cultures and peoples. The United Nations enhances tolerance by encouraging recognition and appreciation of others
• November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance. Find more information on ECCC’S LGBTQ2+ Network ECollab page, including tools and resources
• November 24: Annual Respect Day (more information below)

Promote and take part in events 

• November 24, from 1 to 2:30 pm (EDT): ECCC is participating in the Annual Respect Day, an initiative from the co-champions of the Healthy and Respectful Workplace and Mental Health, and the Mental Health Team. Participate in the live armchair webcast discussion on "Respect through my eyes" on November 24. Log in with the language of your choice for a simultaneous translation of the event. Christine Hogan, Deputy Minister, and Dr. Martine Dubuc, Associate Deputy Minister, will launch the event to open the discussion led by various distinguished guests. More information to come!
• The Respect Bureau offers training and services to help you create a healthy, respectful and productive workplace. Participate in the following trainings during the month of November:
  • November 18, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm (EDT): Awareness Session on Conflict Management, mandatory training for all new ECCC employees (session in English)
  • November 19, from 1 to 4 pm (EDT): Feedback: A Shared Responsibility (session in English)
  • November 23, from 1 to 4 pm (EDT): Respectful Communication (session in English)
• To register and for the Respect Office training schedule, visit their ECollab page. 
• Participate in events from the Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace on the importance of getting restful sleep, navigating across generations, setting limits at work, how to enjoy life and more. Visit the Centre’s GCConnex page for more information
• Take the Canada School of Public Service'scourses on creating a respectful workplace. Login to your GCcampus account to access them
  • Creating a Respectful Workplace (G417). This training is mandatory at ECCC
  • How to Manage Difficult Conversations (W009)
• Organize a presentation by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to learn more about its services, and how employees can get help. You can arrange this kind of event by getting in touch with our EAP contact, Lise Bélanger. Please c.c. the Mental Health Team  

An article regarding the available resources, tools and activities will be published in ECCC News shortly. Stay tuned!

If you need help, please contact the Employee Assistance Program at 1‑800‑268‑7708 (or 1‑800‑567‑5803 for individuals with a hearing impairment). If the situation is urgent, please say so in order to get immediate counselling. If there is an imminent risk, call 9‑1‑1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to promote a healthy and respectful workplace.