Visiting a museum, going for an urban hike and playing games are some of the activities that Dawson employees have enjoyed during their workdays over the past year. The College's Human Resources team launched weekly Well-Being Hours in the fall of 2024. Every employee may spend one hour of worktime each week focusing on their personal well-being.
"It has made me really appreciate our Dawson community and all the new initiatives the College has offered in the last couple of years to work on well-being and community building," said Sophie La Font, Project Coordinator in the Office of Sustainability. "I have met a lot of lovely new people that work outside my typical work sphere. These activities have helped me to feel more engaged and refreshed."
Sophie uses her hours mostly for physical fitness activities like Pilates, hiking, snowshoeing, and paddling. She especially treasures snowshoeing on the mountain in winter: "It was just such a treat to be able to walk out of the school and so easily access the base of the mountain and be in a little pocket of Nature with a handful of colleagues enjoying the beauty of winter and our city!"
Ben Ghazi of the Human Resources team says the well-being hours are a great opportunity for staff to take a moment for themselves during work. "Don't think about work for an hour and detach yourself from your daily routine once per week," he said, underscoring the mental and physical health benefits. Staff who use the hour renew their energy, feel better and are happier, he said. All support staff, professionals and managers can give themselves an hour every week to feel good.
Activities that Build Community and Spark Joy
Dawson employees have embraced Well-Being Hours in diverse and inspiring ways. Azra Khan, Coordinator of Faculty Professional Development, shared her enjoyment in joining colleagues for walks and adventurous activities like stand-up paddling in LaSalle. "It was a sunny, beautiful, peaceful time on the water where I got a good amount of exercise and had a good laugh with colleagues," she said, highlighting the chance to connect beyond typical work interactions.
Similarly, Debra Gill from the Office of Social Science and Business Technologies shared the impact of playing cards with colleagues. "This activity has given us the opportunity to participate in an activity that builds a sense of community I have personally noted the increase in my own well-being. I have experienced the first-hand positive health benefits of laughter."
Pedagogical Counsellor Einat Idan appreciates the opportunity to try new things and meet colleagues in new contexts, calling such activities "big empathy-builders." For Recreation Technician Michelle Lee, the Well-Being Hour supports her physical and mental health through Pilates, badminton, and snowshoeing. She especially enjoys the Pilates class, which "has been essential in my physical and mental well-being. I even try to go when I'm on vacation!"
Michelle appreciates that the health and well-being of staff is being considered. "During covid, most, if not all, of the attention was going toward students' well-being. How can we effectively help students if the College doesn't prioritize the employees in some ways? It's like in an airplane emergency; we must put on our own oxygen mask first (before helping others)."
Connecting Well-Being to Sustainable Happiness
Jenn de Vera from the Office of Sustainability explains how Well-Being Hours tie into the concept of Sustainable Happiness, defined as happiness that benefits individuals, communities, and the environment without exploitation. "The activities chosen should be considerate of its impact not only on other people, but the non-human world around us, well-being for ALL," she said. Many Sustainable Happiness certificate participants have contributed their projects as activities for these hours, such as the Dawson Walk & Talk group or campus clean-up blitzes.
Jenn envisions growing employee-led clubs and volunteer groups, suggesting activities like winter knitting circles for charity, monthly bike rides, or community gardening. She believes institutional support is vital, with managers encouraging participation and allowing teams to dedicate time to collective volunteer efforts. She hopes the program evolves into a stronger movement of community engagement, similar to the "We give where we live" ethos of other organizations.
Employees and leaders alike see great potential for the program to reinforce community bonds and employee morale. Ben stresses that the ideal Well-Being Hour combines physical activity with social connection at work, though individual solo activities are also acceptable. Ultimately, he sees the initiative as "here to stay," with room for growth as more people discover its benefits. Around 400 non-teaching staff are eligible to use the Well-Being Hours. Faculty members are welcome to join the well-being activities but manage their own time.
Bringing Well-Being to Work, Together
Well-Being Hours at Dawson College offer a conscious pause amid the demands of work life, a chance to breathe, move, laugh, and connect. As staff have shared, these hours are more than time off; they are investments in healthier, happier lives and a stronger, more connected workplace community. With ongoing support from Human Resources and the Office of Sustainability, Dawson's Well-Being Hours continue to foster a living campus dedicated to "reconnecting people, community and Nature" for the well-being of all.
