How one council is proving that five days’ work can be done in just four

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by BBC, click this post to read the original article.

BEN SCHOFIELD/BBC

If you’re following the story of South Cambridgeshire District Council, you’ll find that they adopted a four-day working week three years ago as a response to recruitment and retention challenges. Since the shift to a 32-hour week, the council claims to have saved nearly £400,000, significantly reduced staff turnover by 41%, and increased job applications by 123%. Despite employees working fewer hours, an independent academic review showed performance either improved or stayed the same in most areas. Services like emergency housing repairs, complaint resolution, and bin collections continued to meet or exceed targets.

Still, controversy surrounds the policy. Some local residents argue that services haven’t improved and question the value for taxpayers. Government ministers, both past and present, have expressed concern, citing metrics like delayed council house repairs and re-lettings. In response, the council explained that some delays stemmed from contractors who aren’t on a four-day schedule and other unusual circumstances, maintaining that their overall performance remains strong compared to national averages.

You might be interested to know that the trial initially applied to office-based staff but has since expanded to include all council employees, including refuse collection teams. Staff are expected to complete 100% of their duties in 80% of standard hours without pay cuts. The council argues this has led to greater job satisfaction and efficiency. Workers report improved work-life balance and mental well-being, which researchers say helps maintain high productivity across fewer days.

Local voices remain split. While some residents see little change or worry about delayed home repairs, others support the concept, particularly younger workers who value flexibility and believe they work more efficiently with additional personal time. The government’s stance has also evolved, from enforcing strict oversight to stepping back under the new administration, though concerns about service delivery remain.

In conclusion, if you’re watching how local authorities adapt to workplace innovation, South Cambridgeshire offers a revealing case. The council stands by its results, tying improvements in wellbeing to sustained or enhanced service delivery. While debate continues, particularly over housing issues, the four-day week is now a permanent fixture for SCDC.