Daylight Saving Time & Your Paycheck: What to Do If You Experience Wage Theft

As we spring forward for Daylight Saving Time (DST), most of us will lose an hour of sleep—but what if you lose an hour of pay as well? If you’re an hourly worker, a shift that overlaps with the time change could mean you’re working an hour less on paper, and that could affect your paycheck.

While most employers make the necessary adjustments, payroll errors can and do happen, leading to wage theft—and that’s money that you earned and deserve. 

How Daylight Saving Time Can Affect Hourly Wages

Daylight Saving Time begins this year on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 AM, when clocks move forward to 3:00 AM. If you work an overnight shift that includes this time change, you may technically work one hour less than usual.

For example:

• If your normal shift is from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, you would usually work 8 hours.
• But during DST, the clock jumps from 1:59 AM to 3:00 AM, meaning you may only be credited for 7 hours instead of your usual 8.

Are You Being Paid Fairly?

Employers should ensure that workers are compensated fairly, even with the time shift. Here’s how it should work:

• Non-Exempt (Hourly) Employees: You must be paid for all hours worked. If you were scheduled for 8 hours but only paid for 7 due to the time change, that’s a wage issue.
• Overtime Considerations: If your hours are reduced because of DST and that leads to fewer overtime hours, you could be missing out on time-and-a-half pay.
• Union Contracts or Employer Policies: Some workplaces have policies ensuring that employees are paid for a full shift despite the time change. Check with your HR department if you’re unsure.

What to Do If You Notice a Payroll Error

If you suspect your employer shorted your wages because of DST, take these steps:

• Review Your Pay Stub: Compare your scheduled hours versus what you were paid. If something doesn’t add up, gather evidence.
• Talk to Your Employer: In many cases, payroll errors are accidental. Reach out to your manager or HR department to request a correction.
• Keep Records: Always track your hours worked, including timestamps from clocking in and out.
• Know Your Rights: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), your employer is required to pay you for all time worked. If they refuse to correct a DST-related payroll error, they could be violating wage laws.
• Seek Legal Help: If you believe your employer is intentionally withholding wages or refuses to fix a payroll mistake, you may have a wage theft case.

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

No one should lose wages due to a technicality or employer oversight. 

If you believe you’ve been underpaid due to DST or any other payroll issue, Morgan & Morgan’s wage and hour attorneys are here to fight for you. We have a track record of holding employers accountable and recovering lost wages for workers across the country. 

Don’t let an hour of lost sleep turn into lost wages. Know your rights, check your paycheck, and take action if necessary. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let’s make sure you’re getting paid what you’re owed.