South Cambridgeshire Council adopts four-day work week
The landmark decision was approved at the Council’s Full Council meeting on Thursday
South Cambridgeshire District Council has become the first in the UK to permanently implement a four-day working week for staff, following a successful trial that showed service levels were maintained or improved, while recruitment, retention and staff wellbeing saw significant gains.
The landmark decision was approved at the Council’s Full Council meeting on Thursday, (July 17) after a year-long extended trial and public consultation.
Under the Council’s model, staff are expected to deliver 100% of their work in 80% of their contracted hours—without any reduction in pay. The arrangement, governed by a formal Productivity Policy, will now be a permanent feature of Council operations.
A major independent evaluation, conducted by researchers at the Universities of Salford, Cambridge and Bradford, tracked 24 services during the trial period, which began in early 2023. Results showed that 21 services either improved or remained the same, with statistically significant gains in several key areas, including:
- Faster processing of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims
- Quicker decision-making on householder and major planning applications
- More timely Council house repairs
- Improved customer service, with more calls answered
- Higher rate of on-time responses to complaints
Once pandemic-related disruptions were excluded, no monitored service saw a decline in performance.
The Council faced severe staffing challenges before introducing the four-day week, including difficulty filling roles and high turnover. Since the change job applications have increased by over 120% and staff turnover has fallen by more than 40%.
The Council has also saved nearly £400,000 annually by reducing reliance on expensive agency staff.
“Since we introduced the four-day week, the difference in recruitment and retention has been remarkable,” said Cllr John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources.
"The four-day week is helping us be financially secure and fit for the future, delivering better value for money and services for residents."
A representative survey showed no statistically significant change in residents’ experience of nine Council services. A decrease was perceived in three services. Public support was mixed, with 45% expressing support for the four-day week.
The decision comes amid declining public satisfaction with local government services nationwide, according to the Local Government Association. Nationally, satisfaction dropped from 72% in 2012 to 56% in 2024.
The University of Cambridge’s additional research found that the four-day week particularly benefited disabled staff, carers, and those with long-term health conditions, contributing to better work-life balance, mental health, and motivation across the board.
“We’ve shown that well-rested staff, with the time to stay in good physical and mental health, are highly motivated to deliver improvements,” said Council Leader Cllr Bridget Smith.
“In a modern workplace like ours, where staff feel hugely valued, reducing working hours doesn’t mean compromising on quality".
South Cambridgeshire’s decision affects two shared services—Greater Cambridge Shared Planning and Greater Cambridge Shared Waste—which it operates in partnership with Cambridge City Council. Staff in both services have also been working a four-day week.
Cambridge City Council will decide whether to continue its support for the arrangement at its Full Council meeting on July 24.
Cllr Cameron Holloway, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “I'm glad that Council workers – who, let's not forget, are our neighbours, friends and family, as well as providing vital services to residents – have benefitted from a better work-life balance and have seen improvements in their health and wellbeing."