Clocks Fall Back Nov. 1: A Payroll Checklist for the Extra Hour

When daylight saving time ends, employees on the clock when the time changes at 2 a.m. pick up an additional hour. Payroll teams need to make sure that hour is credited and paid this run.

This year, the clocks fall back one hour on Nov. 1, despite a late push to make daylight saving time permanent. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, but the Senate adjourned for the midterm elections without considering the bill, even after President Trump pressed the issue. The Senate won’t take up bills again until Nov. 9, so the twice-a-year time change will go ahead as usual.

The Extra Hour and Overtime

A worker scheduled from 11 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday will work nine hours if the entire shift is worked. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers are required to pay for all hours actually worked, including the repeated hour. That extra hour counts toward weekly overtime calculations for covered, nonexempt employees.

In states with daily overtime rules, such as California and Alaska, the ninth hour may also count as daily overtime.

Fall Back Payroll Action Steps

1. Confirm your timekeeping system correctly records the repeated hour.
2. Remind overnight supervisors and hourly employees to record all hours worked.
3. Review overnight punches for Oct. 31–Nov. 1 before payroll closes.
4. Check whether the extra hour affects weekly or daily overtime calculations.

Clocks spring forward again March 14, 2027.

More info: DOL: Daylight Saving Time and Hours Worked