WJR Business Beat: Daylight Saving Time Takes Toll on Businesses (Episode 376)

Good morning, Paul!

Feeling a little sluggish this Monday morning? Well, you’re not alone. This is the Monday morning on the day after the daylight savings time adjustment went into effect and its effect on us and our businesses is real. And while we all may rejoice in the promise of those warm bright summer evenings ahead, there is no question that daylight savings time takes a toll, not only on us, but on our businesses as well, at least in the short term.

That fog you’re feeling this morning? We’re all feeling it. And our businesses pay a price. One study found that Americans lose on average 40 minutes of sleep on the Sunday night following the spring ahead time change. And that lost sleep translates to lost productivity at work in the days that follow resulting in, by some estimates, a total of $434 million in losses to businesses nationally during the week following the spring ahead change.

Now researchers also looked at several decades worth of data and even found a meaningful increase in workplace injuries on the Monday following a springtime daylight savings time switch resulting in 68% more work days lost during this week. And that hour of sleep we gained last fall? That comes with consequences, too. Evidence suggests that following the autumn time change, less daylight later in the day, results in an 11% increase in depressive episodes, which also decreases productivity in the workforce. And again, that means our businesses take a hit.

So what to do. Fire up those coffee pots, go outside and take a brisk walk to start your day. And if you’re still feeling that foggy feeling, you may even want to avoid any work that requires an extra high level of focus and attention until you get adjusted to the time change in the next few days.

I’m Jeff Sloan, founder and CEO of startupnation.com, and that’s today’s Business Beat on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes, WJR.