Daylight Saving Time begins every year on the second Sunday in March. This year it starts Sunday, March 9.
We “lose” an hour when the clocks are set forward (except in Hawaii and most of Arizona), and for many, that means a tired couple of days as our bodies adjust. Fatigue is the result of the change in time, in both the spring and the fall, and should be managed as a significant factor in lost productivity, attendance issues, and overall employee health. People should try to adjust themselves over a few days to reduce the impact of the change.
Employers should have specific, actionable guidance on an effective fatigue risk management, including:
- Education and training on sleep health programs and sleep disorder screening
- Policies and practices for shift scheduling and work hour limits
- Ways employers and employees can work together to optimize productivity, health, and safety
- Strategies for fatigue mitigation with environmental controls and rest opportunities
Additionally, individuals should follow these tips to reduce fatigue:
- Go to bed and wake up around the same time every day (even on the weekends). This reduces stress and maintains routine to balance work and life schedules.
- Go to bed early. We may not have control over when we must be at work in the morning, but we do
have control of the time we go to bed. - Take naps on weekends and other days off. This provides psychological and physical relief in the short term and can have positive lasting effects for days.
Fatigue is increasingly recognized as a problem affecting the workforce. Research shows 13% of workplace injuries can be attributed to fatigue. Time changes in the spring and fall contribute to fatigue, so paying attention to this adjustment is an important preventive measure for both employers and employees.
