Twice a year, the clocks shift—and so do your operations. While most people just lose (or gain) an hour of sleep, for shift-based businesses, daylight saving time (DST) brings extra challenges: schedule confusion, fatigue, and even dips in productivity.
The good news? A little planning goes a long way. With the right communication and preparation, your team can transition smoothly—and keep service running like clockwork.
According to Forbes, even losing just one hour can reduce productivity, increase mistakes, and cause sluggishness in the days that follow. That’s because the time shift disrupts our circadian rhythms—the body’s natural clock that regulates sleep and alertness.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health notes that DST transitions are linked to higher rates of fatigue-related issues, from slower reaction times to workplace accidents. For industries like restaurants, hotels, and manufacturing—where precision and timing are everything—those effects matter.
ShiftForce’s own research highlights that poor communication and unclear scheduling are the biggest culprits when DST chaos hits. Without a clear plan, managers and team members alike end up guessing which shifts are correct.
Don’t let your team be caught off guard. Send reminders at least a week in advance about the clock change, especially if your business operates overnight.
Post updates in your shift notes, logbooks, or team chat:
Repetition helps. Many managers assume everyone knows, but fatigue and routine often make people forget. Early communication also gives employees time to plan their sleep schedules accordingly.
When the clocks move forward, night-shift employees effectively lose an hour of work (and sleep). Conversely, when clocks fall back, shifts can become longer.
To keep things fair and organized:
Small tweaks can make a big difference in morale—and reduce the “time change shock.”
According to Johns Hopkins experts, lack of sleep impacts decision-making and reaction times for several days after DST begins. Encourage your team to prioritize rest.
Some easy ways to support them:
Well-rested teams are safer, sharper, and friendlier—which your guests will notice.
Once the time change hits, use your shift log or daily notes to capture any issues. Did someone miss a start time? Were sales or service levels affected?
This information helps you:
ShiftForce users can log DST-related observations directly in their digital logbooks, making it easy to track and improve year over year.
Rather than treating daylight savings as an annoyance, use it as a moment to reinforce teamwork and flexibility.
Bring in breakfast for the early crew or coffee for the late shift. A simple gesture shows empathy and appreciation—and helps ease the groggy transition. As Forbes puts it, leaders who communicate and show understanding during stressful periods build stronger, more motivated teams.
Daylight savings doesn’t have to throw your operation off balance. By planning ahead, adjusting schedules, and using tools like ShiftForce for communication and shift tracking, managers can keep every team member informed and prepared.
A one-hour time change shouldn’t cost you productivity—or morale. Stay proactive, stay organized, and your team will spring forward without missing a beat.