Why the Clocks Go Back (and Why It Matters)

This Sunday, October 26th, the clocks go back. That means an extra hour of sleep score! But what is Daylight Saving Time (DST) really, and why do we still do it?

Basically, DST is all about making the most of daylight. In spring, we move the clocks forward so evenings stay lighter for longer. In autumn, we move them back to standard time, giving us lighter mornings but darker evenings. Simple enough but the time change can actually mess with more than just your alarm clock.

Extra Hour, Extra Pay?

Good news for hourly workers: yes, you get paid for that extra hour. But DST isn’t just about the clock it can throw your body and even your business off balance. Here’s what to watch out for:

How DST Can Sneakily Affect Your Workday

Sleep and Productivity

Disrupted Sleep: That hour may feel like a treat, but your body clock doesn’t always agree. Fatigue can hit, concentration can dip, and productivity can suffer.
More Mistakes: When we’re tired, errors happen sometimes costly ones.
Adjustment Struggles: Some people really feel the shift irritability, lack of focus, even mild health annoyances.

Employee Morale

Stress & Anxiety: Changing clocks can mess with our mental well-being. Shorter days can make Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) worse for some people.
Decreased Job Satisfaction: Feeling drained can make work feel tougher than usual, and that can affect the team vibe.
Work-Life Balance: Time shifts can throw personal schedules out of whack, making it harder to juggle work and home life.

Operational Hiccups

IT Glitches: Systems that aren’t set up for the change can act up.
Supply Chain Confusion: Time zone shifts can cause delays if you’re dealing with partners elsewhere.
Customer Service Issues: Misaligned opening hours or delayed responses can frustrate customers.

How to Make DST Less Painful

There’s no way to stop the clocks but you can help your team and business stay on track. A few ideas:

Support Your Team: Offer tips for better sleep and stress management. Even a simple burnout sheet can make a difference.
Communicate Clearly: Let everyone know about the time change in advance both staff and customers.
Check Your Systems: Make sure IT and software are ready so nothing breaks.
Be Flexible: Allow temporary schedule tweaks to help people adjust.
Use Smart Tools: A platform like Coretime can help you track hours, manage projects, and keep everything running smoothly.

The extra hour doesn’t just mean more sleep it’s a chance to hit refresh, support your team, and get ahead of potential issues before they snowball.