Independent research by DJS Research informs Council’s landmark decision to make four-day working week permanent

14th October 2025 18:49

South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) has voted to adopt a four-day working week on a permanent basis, following extensive independent research and analysis. This included representative surveys of residents and businesses, consultation analysis, and a detailed report on public perceptions by DJS Research. In doing so, SCDC has become the UK’s first local authority to make a four-day working week a permanent policy.

The reduction in working hours was first introduced as a three-month trial in early 2023 to help ease growing recruitment and retention pressures. After an initial year-long extension, the Council commissioned a series of independent studies to assess the impact on both service provision and its workforce. At the start of 2025, a large-scale public consultation with residents, businesses and other key stakeholders was carried out. DJS Research was appointed to conduct a detailed, independent analysis of the findings.

Alongside this, DJS Research conducted separate representative surveys of over 1,000 local residents and 400 businesses, analysing and reporting the results. Like the consultation, the surveys asked participants to rate their satisfaction with Council services before and since the four-day working week trial, with opportunities to leave open comments. Additional questions explored awareness of the trial and whether a four-day working week might improve job attractiveness.

Through in-depth analysis, DJS Research provided clear insights into both perceptions and experiences of service users. The findings enabled the Council to compare satisfaction with public services pre- and post-trial, assess differences between stakeholder groups, and explore wider attitudes towards the four-day working week, including its potential to support recruitment.

A spokesperson for South Cambridgeshire District Council shared their thoughts on the research which generated truly actionable outputs; "Working with DJS Research provided us with the independent, robust evidence we needed to evaluate a ground-breaking policy trial. The team demonstrated professionalism, methodological rigour, and the ability to deliver complex consultation and survey work to the highest standard. Their findings have given us the confidence to make informed decisions about the future of the four-day working week.”

Julie Hollingsworth, Research Director at DJS Research, reflected on the importance of the work:

“We work with many local and combined authorities to conduct resident and business surveys; however, this was a particularly exciting project, knowing the trial and consultation were attracting national attention and that our findings would help shape such a landmark decision. It’s always rewarding to see our research in action, driving positive change.”

A more detailed write-up of the research can be found in our case study, with further information also available on South Cambridgeshire District Council’s website (https://www.scambs.gov.uk/news/council-votes-to-permanently-adopt-four-day-week-following-extensive-independent-analysis).