Four-day workweek gains traction in the UK

Nearly 3 million UK workers are now on four-day schedules, marking one of the most dramatic shifts in working life since the pandemic, as reported by The Guardian in August 2025.  

The growing shift toward shorter working schedules is underscored by new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

Between October and December 2024, almost 1.4 million full-time employees and 100,000 part-time staff reported working four days a week, representing more than 200,000 additional workers compared with the same period in 2019. 

The same period signalled that 10.9% of the UK workforce (up from 9.8% in the same period in 2019), reported working four days a week.

The four-day week is typically defined as 32 working hours across four days with no reduction in pay. 

Supporters of the model expect that employees deliver 100% of output in 80% of contracted time, a concept often summarized as “100:80:100.”

Advocates argue that the shorter week arrangement improves employee well-being, reduces stress, and allows more time for family and personal commitments. 

For organizations, the shorter work week has delivered benefits such as improved retention, stronger recruitment, and higher staff motivation, with more than 420 companies employing over 12,000 people adopting the model since the pandemic, according to the 4 Day Week Foundation.

Four-Day Week Trial in Local Government

South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first UK council to permanently adopt a four-day week after a 27-month trial concluded in 2025. Its 700 staff were given the option to move to the shorter schedule with no loss of pay.

The results showed clear improvements: faster processing of planning applications, quicker housing repairs, and more efficient benefits administration. 

Staff motivation and retention increased, while the council saved nearly £400,000 annually by reducing the use of temporary agency workers. 

Following this success, other councils are exploring trials, and campaigners are pushing for broader adoption across local government.

Political and Industry Response

Political debate around the four-day week has focused heavily on local authorities. South Cambridgeshire District Council came under pressure from the previous Conservative government to end its trial, with ministers arguing that shorter weeks did not deliver value for taxpayers. 

The restrictions introduced by the previous Conservative government were lifted in November 2024, after Labour came to power. The new government confirmed that councils are independent employers, free to determine how they organise their workforces.

While a national rollout has not been adopted as official policy, senior Labour politicians, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, have expressed support for the idea. In Scotland, a separate year-long pilot was launched in early 2024 across two public sector bodies, with results expected soon.

Beyond government, adoption has been most visible in the marketing, technology, and charity sectors, according to research from the 4 Day Week Foundation.

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