Daylight savings time: the good, the bad
The impact of daylight savings time (DST) on employee productivity and employee health has been a subject of debate and research for decades. While some argue that DST can have a positive effect on employee productivity, others posit the contrary, and suggest its negative effect on overall employee health.
For example, opponents of DST highlight studies over the last 25 years that have shown the one-hour change disrupts body rhythms tuned to earth’s rotation, and that there are more car accidents when people lose an extra hour of sleep. Contrarily, DST proponents argue social benefits such as declining robberies when there is an extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day and that people seem to be happier when there is an extra hour of daylight. In addition, DST can also impact businesses that rely on daylight hours, such as those in the agriculture or construction industries, which may adjust their schedules to accommodate the time change, potentially improving employee productivity.
Health impact of DST
On the positive side, DST can increase exposure to natural light, which has been linked to improved mood, better sleep, and reduced risk of depression. The extended daylight hours can also provide opportunities for physical activity, which can help to improve overall health and well-being.
Much of the negative health impact of DST is linked to the disruption in the sleep-wake cycle, which can have a range of negative effects on health, including increased levels of stress, fatigue, and irritability. These negative effects impact mental health, as well as cognitive and physical performance. Additionally, studies also show that DST may have a greater impact on certain patients with other risk factors. During the week after the shift to DST, for example, research shows an corresponding rise in cardiovascular disease, a 24% higher risk of heart attacks and 8% increase in stroke rate.
Impact of DST on employee productivity
The impact of DST on employee productivity goes back to resetting the clock. Although the clocks change at a benign time of day – 2 a.m. on Sunday – our bodies do not immediately adjust because most people wait until Sunday night and Monday morning to adjust. A study show that people on average are short on sleep by about 40 minutes when they go to work on Monday, some stressed, fatigued and irritable.
Not surprisingly, researchers using U.S. Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration data found that the number of workplace accidents spikes after DST time shift every March. In fact, the Society of Human Resource Management reported that U.S. workers getting 40 minutes less sleep resulted in a 5.7 percent increase in workplace injuries and nearly 68 percent more workdays lost to injuries.
Additionally, a study found a substantially higher rate of “cyberloafing” – using internet access to engage in activities that are not related to work – among employees on the Monday following the shift to DST than on other Mondays. Furthermore, every hour of interrupted sleep, employees cyberloafed for 20 percent of their assigned task.
When extrapolated to a full day’s work, the loss of sleep due to DST can result in substantial productivity losses for employers. A recent estimate of this effect shows that the shift to DST costs the American economy over $434 million annually. Unfortunately, the productivity loss is not regained when we add an hour to the schedule in the fall.
Closing thoughts
Overall, the effect of DST on employee productivity may depend on a variety of factors, including individual differences in sleep patterns, work schedules, and work environment. While some employees may be negatively impacted by DST, others may benefit from increased daylight hours and a more active lifestyle. Employers and employees may want to take steps to minimize the negative effects of DST, such as adjusting sleep schedules, getting plenty of natural light during the day, and practicing good sleep hygiene.