Why Ending Daylight Saving Time Is Good for Employee Reward, Wellbeing, and Productivity

Why Ending Daylight Saving Time Is Good for Employee Reward, Wellbeing, and Productivity

I noticed a few weeks ago I was starting to wake up in the dark, and I was missing my morning ritual of ten minutes watching the sun rise. No, it’s not new blackout curtains, it’s just the inexorable roll into the darker half of the year. Except it’s not inexorable: in a few weeks, when we revert to standard time, it will become clear that DST has once again robbed us of our October morning light – making mornings darker much sooner than they would be under standard time. And that got me thinking...

In the world of employee reward and organisation design, we constantly look for ways to boost productivity, engagement, and wellbeing. Yet one major disruptor is often overlooked: the twice-yearly ritual of changing the clocks for Daylight Saving Time (DST).

While DST was introduced long ago to make better use of daylight, decades of research now show it harms our biological rhythms, reduces productivity, and increases health risks. For all of us working hard on supporting wellbeing and creating effective work environments to drive productivity, it’s time to pay attention.

How DST Disrupts Productivity and Health

Our bodies operate on circadian rhythms — 24-hour internal clocks that regulate sleep, alertness, hormone release, and more. Abrupt clock changes, like those involved in DST, force our systems out of sync with the natural solar day because it’s morning light that regulates that rhythm.

That light exposure in the first hour or two after waking tells your brain it’s daytime and triggers the suppression of melatonin to help you feel alert and awake, and your internal clock needs that daily reset. Interestingly, most people’s circadian clocks run at just over 24 hours, so the morning light each day recalibrates it (which is lucky as circadian misalignment is linked to insomnia, fatigue, and depression).

Several studies — including large population-based analyses — have found that the week following the spring-forward clock change is linked to:
  • Increased workplace injuries and accidents
  • Reduced cognitive performance and focus
  • Increased reports of mood disturbances and sleep disorders

While correlation, of course, does not prove causation – and some newer studies suggest the effects may be modest – there is still sufficient evidence to warrant serious discussion as all of these outcomes directly impact the workplace: more sick days, less engagement, and decreased productivity.

Employee Reward and Workplace Design Should Advocate For This Reality

As professionals involved in employee reward, we design programmes and environments to help people thrive. But government policies that force everyone to "spring forward" directly counteract those goals. Particularly in higher latitudes, including large parts of the UK and Scandinavia, the sun already rises pretty late on winter mornings, and because DST artificially shifts the clock forward this impact hits about a month earlier – making October mornings feel like November. Then, in March, the shift back to DST plunges us into dark mornings again just as the light is starting to return.

If we want truly effective wellbeing and productivity strategies, we need:

  • Consistent, stable timekeeping aligned with natural light cycles
  • Policy that prioritises morning light exposure over evening leisure
  • Recognition of the disproportionate impact on northern workers

The Clear Call: Move to Permanent Standard Time

The scientific consensus is clear: permanent standard time is the healthiest and most productive option. If I’ve piqued your interest, take a look at these resources:

While some advocate for permanent DST (and lighter evenings, which ironically make it harder to fall asleep at night), that choice leads to dark winter mornings and increased health risks.

Ending clock changes altogether and settling on permanent standard time will:

  • Improve sleep quality and circadian alignment
  • Reduce workplace accidents and health problems
  • Support mental wellbeing and sustained productivity.

As someone passionate about rewarding employees meaningfully and creating healthy workplaces, I urge policymakers, business leaders, and HR professionals to advocate for permanent standard time. Let’s align social time with biology — for the benefit of workers, organisations, and society as a whole.