Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of adjusting clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months (typically spring and summer) to extend daylight into the evening. In the colder months (autumn and winter), clocks are moved back by one hour to return to standard time.
Here’s how it works:
Spring – “Spring Forward”
Clocks move forward by one hour (e.g. from 1 AM to 2 AM), resulting in one less hour in the day.Autumn – “Fall Back”
Clocks move back by one hour (e.g. from 2 AM to 1 AM), resulting in one extra hour in the day.
How DST affects shifts in Rotaready
Rotaready automatically preserves the original scheduled start and end times of shifts, even during DST transitions. However, the actual hours worked may be affected if a shift overlaps the time change window.
Here’s what to expect:
When clocks move forward: One hour is skipped, which can shorten the total hours worked.
When clocks move backward: An extra hour is added, which can extend the total hours worked.
This adjustment only applies to shifts that span the time change period. The visual display of time may differ, but Rotaready ensures that shift scheduling remains consistent.
Example scenario
Let’s look at a practical example:
A shift is scheduled from 6 PM on Saturday to 2 AM on Sunday.
DST begins at 1 AM on Sunday, and clocks move forward to 2 AM.
Without DST:
The shift would normally cover 8 hours.
With DST:
Because the hour between 1 AM and 2 AM is skipped, the shift now covers 7 actual hours, even though the scheduled times remain unchanged.
❗️ If you notice discrepancies in shift durations during DST transitions, we recommend checking the Labour Breakdown report in Rotaready. This report provides a detailed view of actual hours worked and helps ensure accuracy in reporting and payroll.