On March 29, 2026, the clocks will be set forward by one hour again. Especially in the event industry, where a lot of work takes place at night, the switch from winter time to summer time can quickly lead to confusion and, in the worst case, even to payroll errors. In this article, we have compiled the 5 most important points for you to ensure that doesn’t happen.
1. When exactly does the time change?
The time change takes place during the night from Saturday (March 28) to Sunday (March 29). At 2:00 a.m., the time is set forward by one hour to 3:00 a.m. This means, essentially, that one hour is missing.
Practical example: Your employee is scheduled for a shift from 22:00 to 06:00. This shift, which is 8 hours long on any other night, will only last 7 hours on this night.
2. Automatic or manual adjustment
Modern electronic time tracking systems usually synchronize the time automatically with external time servers. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check whether the adjustment is carried out properly and not multiple times in the system. – In CrewBrain, the time change is fully automatic.
3. Missing hours
During the switch, it may happen that time stamps between 02:00 and 03:00 do not appear at all. Often, you will see the recorded start and end times, e.g. 22:00 and 06:00, and the total as 7 hours, which at first glance seems incorrect, but is correct for this night. It is advisable to take the missing hour into account during shift planning if possible.
4. Manual adjustments
Especially with older or locally installed systems, it is recommended to check the configuration more closely:
- Is the correct time zone set?
- Is automatic adjustment for daylight saving and standard time activated?
- Are night shift bonuses calculated based on the actual hours worked or the displayed clock time?
In CrewBrain, no manual adjustments are required. The switch between winter and summer time is carried out automatically. The only thing to check is that the correct time zone has been set in the account. This usually happens during registration.
5. Payroll & working time accounts
The switch to daylight saving time can also affect payroll and time accounts – especially for night or shift work.
- Payroll:
Due to the clock being set forward, the actual hours worked during the night of the change may be reduced. What matters is how this difference is handled within the company. Transparent and traceable representation in payroll is essential. - Bonuses:
Night or Sunday bonuses should be based on the actual hours worked. Companies should check whether the calculation basis is correct and that the shortened night is taken into account accordingly. - Working time accounts:
Depending on the system, time balances may adjust automatically. A random check after the time change helps to identify and correct incorrect entries early on.
Additionally, some collective agreements or company policies contain provisions stating that employees must not be disadvantaged by the time change. In such cases, it may be necessary to manually grant time credits or make pay adjustments.
Conclusion
The time change may seem like just an hour’s difference at first glance – but for event companies, it can have organizational, payroll, and legal implications. Those who keep an eye on shift planning, time tracking, bonuses, working time accounts, and internal communication ensure that working hours are recorded correctly, employees are paid fairly, and legal requirements are met. Careful preparation reduces confusion, prevents payroll errors, and helps ensure smooth operations within the company.
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This post is also available in de_DE.
