How does the switch to winter time affect our wellbeing and perception of time? A new study, led by Prof. Ruth Ogden at Liverpool John Moores University seeks to find out.

“Time is a hugely overlooked element of psychology. Our lives are structured by a clock, and we all have an internal representation of time, yet we have really poor understanding of how people perceive time and whether we could potentially modify people’s experiences of time to create improvements in wellbeing.”

The long-term goal of the project is to identify strategies that could lead to improvements in individual and societal wellbeing, see this recent article for more details.

The Origins of Daylight-Saving Time (DST)

As we explore how this biannual clock change affects our daily lives, it's worth understanding the origins and rationale behind Daylight Saving Time (DST). This practice involves setting clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months to make better use of daylight.

First suggested by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 where he proposed that people could economise on candles by waking up earlier to take advantage of natural sunlight. However, it wasn't until 1907 that British builder William Willett advocated for clocks to be moved forward by 80 minutes in 20-minute increments across four Sundays in April and reversed in September. Still nothing was taken up until World War I provided the impetus for change. Germany became the first country to adopt DST in 1916 to save coal and the UK followed soon after, seeing the practice as a way to conserve fuel and increase productivity. The aim was to maximise the hours of daylight during working hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating.

After World War I, DST was used intermittently in the UK, and it became a regular practice during World War II to aid wartime productivity. Between 1940 and 1945, Britain even observed "Double Summer Time," where clocks were set two hours ahead of standard time during the summer and one hour ahead in the winter. This provided even more daylight during the evening hours, although it was eventually phased out after the war.

In 1968, the UK experimented with year-round DST by remaining on British Summer Time (BST) throughout the winter months. This trial lasted until 1971 but was abandoned after public complaints, particularly from those living in northern parts of the country, where mornings were left dark for an extended period.

Since then, the UK has followed the conventional system, where clocks go forward one hour in late March and back again in late October, this year on Sunday 27^th.

Does Daylight Saving Time still serve a purpose today?

Daylight Saving Time has both positive and negative effects, influencing everything from energy consumption to physical and mental health.

Energy Savings

Originally intended to reduce energy consumption by making better use of natural light, recent studies suggest the actual savings are minimal, especially with the widespread use of efficient lighting and heating systems.

Health and Wellbeing

While the extra hour of evening daylight during the summer encourages outdoor activities, exercise, and social interaction—leading to potential improvements in physical and mental health—the abrupt change when clocks go forward or back can disrupt sleep patterns. This disruption often leads to an increase in sleep disorders, fatigue, and even heart attacks in the days immediately following the time change. In the spring, where an hour is lost, studies have shown a temporary rise in traffic accidents and workplace injuries in the week after the clocks change.

Economic Impact

Businesses in the retail and leisure industries benefit from longer summer evenings as people are more likely to go shopping or engage in recreational activities after work. Conversely, industries that rely on early-morning operations, such as farming, often find it disruptive, especially in northern regions where sunrise is already late during the winter months.

Impact on Children and Education

In spring, darker mornings may make it harder for children to wake up and adjust, while in autumn, earlier sunsets can shorten the time available for outdoor play.

Shift Workers

The biannual clock changes present unique challenges for shift workers, whose irregular hours already disrupt natural sleep patterns. These disruptions can have serious implications for both their health and workplace safety.

Disruption of Sleep Patterns

Shift workers, particularly those on night or rotating shifts, are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of the clock change.

• Spring Forward: Shorter nights, reduced sleep for shift workers.
• Fall Back: Longer nights, possible overwork.

In both cases, the misalignment of circadian rhythms can heighten the risks of chronic sleep disorders, fatigue, and stress. Shift workers may already struggle with these issues due to their irregular hours, and the clock change can exacerbate them, impacting their overall wellbeing.

Workplace Safety and Productivity

Sleep deprivation can lead to serious safety risks and reduced productivity.

• Increased Risk of Accidents: Research shows a significant rise in workplace accidents in the days following the spring clock change. For shift workers performing high-risk or safety-critical tasks—such as those in emergency services or manufacturing—the decrease in alertness can increase the likelihood of errors or serious accidents.
• Reduced Productivity: The time change can also lead to a dip in productivity as workers struggle to adjust. Fatigue and reduced focus can result in slower performance and higher absenteeism. This is particularly problematic in industries that rely on precision and attention to detail, where even a small mistake can have costly consequences.

Shift Scheduling and Pay

Time changes can create logistical challenges for shift scheduling and pay, leading to confusion or discrepancies that affect both workers and employers.

• Shorter Shifts in Spring: Some workers may find themselves working one hour less during a night shift. This can lead to confusion over pay and scheduling, with workers potentially losing an hour's pay or having to adjust to a shorter shift.
• Longer Shifts in Autumn: Conversely, when the clocks go back in autumn, shift workers on duty during the change may work an extra hour. This can result in longer-than-expected shifts, increasing fatigue and disrupting work-life balance. While most UK employers compensate for this extra hour, it can still add to the challenges of managing shift schedules.

These scheduling complications can cause confusion for both employers and employees, leading to disputes over pay. All these issues can be managed automatically according to your company policy by Crown’s Workforce Management system. Ensuring accurate scheduling and compliance with established guidelines minimises disruptions and reduces the risk of scheduling errors or payroll discrepancies. This automation simplifies the process for both employers and shift workers, allowing for smoother transitions during time changes. Crown’s system seamlessly handles these complexities, helping to alleviate stress and confusion while enhancing operational efficiency.

What do people think about it?

Some appreciate the longer daylight hours in the summer, while others argue that the benefits do not outweigh the inconvenience of changing the clocks twice a year. This is especially true in Scotland and other northern areas, where the length of daylight hours can vary significantly depending on the season. With the UK leaving the EU there has been renewed interest in whether Britain should continue the practice. Some advocates argue for staying on BST year-round, while others call for reverting to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) without the seasonal changes.

While the debate on Daylight Saving Time continues, it's clear that the impact on shift workers is significant. Addressing these challenges through technology, like Crown’s Workforce Management system, can help mitigate the risks and ensure smoother transitions for both employees and businesses.