Seize the day? Coventry councillors reject four-day work week proposals

Coventry City Council has rejected a motion to trial a four-day working week, proposed by Councillor Grace Lewis, a Warwick alumna, amid growing national debate on the model.

Under a four-day working week, employees are expected to perform 100% of their tasks in 80% of their current hours, without a reduction in pay.  

Cllr Lewis had argued the four-day week, which has gained traction in recent years, could lead to “significant benefits” for staff and employers. However, the government has recently advised councils against the model. 

In her motion, Cllr Lewis pointed to “growing evidence” that a four-day week leads to better staff health and wellbeing, improved recruitment and retention, and higher overall productivity. 

Only one UK public body has adopted a four-day working week so far

In contrast, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has argued councils cannot provide the same services for residents in fewer hours. In December 2025, he wrote to all English councils warning them against offering “full-time pay for part-time work”. 

Only one UK public body has adopted the four-day week so far. South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first to make the move in July 2025, after the results of a two-year pilot. The council remains open five days a week, with individual staff staggering their weekly ‘rest day’. 

South Cambridgeshire reported that staff turnover fell by 39% and that most core services were maintained or improved. It also recorded significant annual savings of £370,000, mostly from reduced staff turnover costs – successes which Cllr Lewis highlighted in her motion. 

For his part, Reed has previously cited a decline in rent collection and re-letting times in South Cambridgeshire, although academic reports concluded overall benefits for the pilot. 

Coventry City Council voted against the motion on Tuesday 13 January, with Labour councillors repeating many of Reed’s concerns and calling the proposal “ill thought-out to say the least”.  

Two Reform councillors also spoke against the four-day week during the meeting, with fellow Westwood Councillor Marcus Lapsa raising concerns over its impact on staff productivity.  

“Productivity cannot simply be compressed”, Cllr Lapsa said. “Many jobs rely on continuity, collaboration, and availability. Shortening the working week often leads to rushed tasks, longer working days, and increased pressure on employees.” 

Improving work-life balance is one of the most effective tools available to us [as a council]

Grace Lewis, Independent Coventry City Councillor

Independent Cllr Lewis, who resigned from the Labour group in 2025 to back Zarah Sultana’s breakaway Your Party, said she was disappointed by the motion’s outcome – but remained hopeful it would be reconsidered. 

In a statement to The Boar ahead of the vote, she said: “If councils are to attract and keep skilled, committed staff, we need to think seriously about what we can offer.  

“Improving work-life balance is one of the most effective tools available to us. And better supported staff will deliver better services for our residents.” 

Since South Cambridgeshire’s move, 25 councils have discussed adopting the four-day week, suggesting the model is likely to return to council agendas – despite its rejection in Coventry.