If you enter Derwentside College after 2pm on a Friday, you’ll find it empty. The principal, Chris Todd, will be on his way to pick his seven-year-old son up from school and take him to the beach.
That’s because Todd, who is determined to prioritise well-being among his staff, allows them to finish early on Fridays. Employees also get a day off for their birthday and he’s “flirting with the idea” of employing a wellness coach to incentivise his leadership team to embrace a healthy lifestyle – the “secret to a happy workforce”.
With his bulging muscles, he’s the perfect healthy role model; Todd used to take part in powerlifting competitions and still “likes to beat the young guys in the gym”.
His wellbeing focus seems to be working.
