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Night shifts: will you get paid for lost hour as clocks go forward?

British Summer Time begins at 1am on Sunday, so check with your employer about pay, and read tips for better quality sleep when you finish your shift
Illustration of clock going forward in spring, which may mean nurses on night shifts get paid for the lost hour

British Summer Time begins at 1am on Sunday, so check with your employer about pay, and read tips for better quality sleep when you finish your shift

Illustration of clock going forward in spring, which may mean nurses on night shifts get paid for the lost hour
Picture: iStock

Are you a nurse working a night shift on Saturday? We’ve got some good news for you – you’ll be working an hour less and could still be getting paid for it.

The start of daylight savings means the clocks spring forward overnight, marking the official start of British Summer Time. This year, the clocks will go forward at 1am on Sunday 26 March.

Time to check your work contract

While this means one hour less in bed for many, it also means healthcare staff work an hour less on their shift and could still be getting paid for it. It is worth checking this with your employer if you are working overnight on Saturday.

This happy occurrence is in contrast to when the clocks go back in October, when nurses and other healthcare staff work an extra hour for free.

Many Nursing Standard readers argue they should get paid for the extra hour they work at the end of daylight savings, but others say the shifts even out if you also work a night shift when the clocks go forward. Of course, this only equals out if a nurse works both shifts.

Photo of nurse with a patient during a night shift
Patients may sleep during a night shift – but can you sleep after one? Picture: Charles Milligan

Could the lost hour work to your advantage?

According to NHS Employers, staff working shifts are paid for the hours of the shift. For example, a nurse working 12am to 8am would get paid for those eight hours, but when the clocks spring forward it is likely to still be classed as an eight-hour shift. There does not appear to be any official guidance for NHS organisations about paying staff for the lost hour.

Another benefit of clocks going forward is lighter evenings, so nurses finishing their day shifts late will still be able to enjoy some daylight.

Positive steps to improve your sleep

Sleep expert Neil Walsh, who recently led a study into sleep quality, suggested nurses who work night shifts should try to take ‘caffeine naps’ at work (see box below) and invest in blackout blinds to improve sleep quality.

The latter could be valuable for nurses during the summer months when there is more daylight and they may struggle to get to sleep after a night shift.

Professor Walsh’s tips for good quality sleep

  • Ensure your bed and pillow are comfortable and that the room is cool, dark and quiet
  • Ideally, invest in blackout blinds and an eye mask, especially for nurses who are going to sleep during the day
  • Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime
  • Drive home with sunglasses on after a night shift
  • Try going screen-free 30 minutes before bedtime and going to bed when sleepy
  • Exercising during the day can help with falling asleep
  • Take power naps at work, where possible
  • If possible, make them ‘caffeine naps’ – drink a strong cup of coffee and then have a 20 to 30-minute nap. This will help to boost energy and concentration levels at work after the nap


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