When the clocks go forward an hour on Sunday 31 March, many UK workers will in the middle of a night shift. And so, what happens when 2am suddenly becomes 3am?

As we gear up for the clocks to spring forward, businesses face the annual challenge of managing enquiries about pay for that ‘lost’ hour—not to mention scores of employees turning up late to work!

Alan Price, CEO of HR software provider BrightHR, says:

“Although those who do not work at the weekend are likely to be in bed when this happens, it is important to consider how this will affect working hours and pay, for those who are still required to work in the early hours of Sunday.

“Unlike when the clocks go back in October, employers do not need to be concerned about the risk of paying under the minimum wage or breaking working time rules. However, they should bear in mind that employees will technically be working an hour less in their shift as a result of a clock change—for example, an employee on an eight-hour shift will actually only work for seven hours if they’re on duty at the time the clocks go forward.

“Whether the employer will need to pay their employees for a full, eight-hour shift in this situation will depend on the contract of employment. Generally, a contract will outline that a worker is entitled to hourly pay for every hour that they work. That being said, workers on a regular salary will usually get the normal amount regardless of whether they work one hour less. This is because a salaried employee is more likely than an hourly paid employee to be required to work extra hours without additional pay, and to be entitled to pay even if they work fewer hours.

“Organisations can choose how they treat this hour lost, subject to any contractual entitlements, but should act consistently and fairly. For example, they may decide that all employees must work an extra hour to make up the hour ‘lost’. But they shouldn’t pick and choose who needs to and who doesn’t; one rule should apply to everyone.

“If an employee is scheduled to work on the Sunday, they should be reminded that the clocks are going forward an hour and encouraged to prepare for this.

“When the clocks last went forward in 2023, employee data collated from BrightHR’s clock-in app Blip, indicated lateness in the morning was up by 24%. Suggesting that employers can expect an upsurge in tardiness later this month. Employee lateness can be costly for a company and organisations can consider disciplining any late worker if they believe it is necessary.”