Something for the weekend: This weekend marks the clocks going forward in the UK, as we move into British Summer Time. To mark this, printing firm Instantprint surveyed 2,000 UK office workers to find out how this impacts them.
The firm found that while lighter evenings are welcomed by 64% of respondents, the loss of an hour in bed comes at a cost, as 70% struggle to adjust when the clocks go forward.
A third (32%) said it takes them up to five working days to properly adjust and 42% admitted to making more mistakes at work following the change, such as email errors, missed meetings and incorrect data entry.
More than half (54%) feel more irritable during the week after the clocks go forward, while 37% report lower motivation levels and 29% find communication becomes strained due to tiredness and reduced concentration.
Almost two-thirds (63%) experience unsettled sleep for several nights, and 46% feel more fatigued by mid-afternoon compared to a typical working week.
Despite this, only 18% of workplaces proactively communicate the time change, while 61% of employees would appreciate guidance or acknowledgement from their employer.
In the lead-up to British Summer Time, Instantprint recommends employers consider offering flexibility with start times where possible during the first few days, avoiding scheduling high-pressure meetings first thing on the Monday after the change, and sharing reminders about hydration, movement and regular screen breaks to maintain energy.
Sean Kachmarski, health and wellbeing trainer at Instantprint, said: “When the clocks go forward, we are effectively shifting everyone’s body clock overnight. Even a single hour can affect sleep quality, energy and focus. If businesses acknowledge that impact and take small supportive steps, they can help reduce the productivity slump that many teams experience.”
Dan Robinson, head of marketing and ecommerce at Instantprint, added: “The clock change is something we all expect every year, yet our research shows it still affects the majority of office workers. By planning ahead and communicating early, businesses can reduce disruption and demonstrate that they genuinely care about employee wellbeing. Small adjustments can help teams feel more supported and maintain momentum during the transition.”
Sounds like some useful suggestions to help employees’ wellbeing during the transition to British Summer Time!
