The culture of a workplace is shaped every day through the conversations we have, the choices we make, and the way we treat one another. Respect and civility are not just ideals. They are the foundation of healthy, productive organizations where people feel valued, empowered, and able to do their best work.
When employees feel respected, they are more likely to contribute ideas, collaborate effectively, tackle challenges with confidence, and bring their full potential to the table. In turn, organizations benefit from stronger teams, better decision-making, greater innovation, and a workplace culture where everyone can thrive.
As a convener of Ontario’s business community, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce believes that fostering respectful, civil workplaces is essential to organizational success and stronger communities.
To mark National Civility Month 2026, the OCC invites employers, employees, and leaders across the province to join the conversation, celebrate positive workplace behaviours, and recommit to creating environments where every voice is heard and valued.
Explore the campaign, share your commitment, and help spotlight the everyday actions that make a lasting difference.
About National Civility Month
Established in 2014 by the International Institute for Civil Leadership, National Civility Month is observed throughout Canada and the U.S. in August.
National Civility Month encourages people, workplaces, and communities to practice respect, kindness, empathy, and constructive dialogue in everyday interactions. It is a month dedicated to reminding people that how we treat one another matters—at work, online, in public life, and in our communities.
This year, the OCC is recognizing National Civility Month with a series of initiatives—including a civility pledge, civility challenge, exclusive webinar, and other thought leadership content—designed to encourage reflection, action, and shared responsibility for building more respectful and inclusive workplaces.
Sign the OCCivility Pledge
As part of National Civility Month, the OCC invites employers, employees, and leaders to sign the OCCivility pledge. By signing the pledge, you commit to building and sustaining a workplace culture where respect, civility, and inclusion are part of everyday interactions.
Take Our Civility Challenge
Throughout National Civility Month, the OCC is hosting a Civility Challenge. Each day, on our LinkedIn account, we will share a challenge—an act or gesture participants can engage in—that can help develop the habits and routines needed to promote respectful and inclusive workplaces. Connect with us on LinkedIn to follow us and take part in the challenge.
Join Our Webinar
Respect means ensuring everyone has the opportunity to be heard, contribute, and succeed. In the workplace, this includes creating an environment where people feel valued and supported for who they are and the unique perspectives they bring.
Join the OCC’s Skills Bridge team, and the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) virtually on August 27 for a special National Civility Month webinar on Building Stronger Workplaces Through Disability Inclusion.
This session will explore how disability-inclusive hiring practices can strengthen workplace culture, improve employee engagement, and support business success.
Access Training & Resources
Building a respectful and civil workplace takes ongoing learning, reflection, and practice. Below are some publicly accessible resources that offer practical guidance, training tools, and workplace supports to help employers, employees, and leaders strengthen respectful and promote healthy and inclusive work environments.
- National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace: Voluntary guidelines, tools, and resources from the Mental Health Commission of Canada to guide organizations in promoting mental health and preventing psychological harm at work.
- Healthy Minds at Work: Resources, training and tools from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety to help support mental health efforts in creating a space where workers feel safe, respected, and valued.
- Civility at Work: A Canadian-based training firm that provides online and face-to-face civility training workshops for managers and employees.
- Civility Experts Worldwide: A Winnipeg firm offering a workplace culture assessment to help organizations identify specific gaps in their team’s ‘Social IQ’ or cultural competence.
- Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: Sponsored by Canada Life, this site offers free tools for leadership to address workplace factors including civility.
- Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations (Bill C-65): Effective January 2021, federal employers must comply with regulation which position civility as a preventative measure against workplace violence.