Coordinating Meetings at end of Daylight Savings Time

Posted On: October 25, 2014

Typically, the time change happens at 2 am. Instead of it being 2 am, it will be 1 am. Everyone gains one extra hour of sleep.  

How Does This Affect My Work With Americans?  
Keeping in mind that the U.S. clocks have “fallen back” by one hour, all meetings regularly scheduled through the U.S. counterparts will be adjusted by one hour as per Indian clocks. (Those highlighted in bold text represent the new times between November – March.)  

Example: EST (Eastern Time Zone) to IST (Indian Standard Time)
Example Cities: New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta

Time Period	U.S. Time (EST)	India Time	Time Difference
Daylight Savings Time	9am	6:30pm	+9.5 hours
End of Daylight Savings Time	9am	7:30pm	+10.5 hours

*Take note, some parts of Indiana do not change their time.

Example: CST (Central Time Zone) to IST (Indian Standard Time)
Example Cities: Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Kansas City

Time Period	U.S. Time (CST)	India Time	Time Difference
Daylight Savings Time	9am	7:30pm	+10.5 hours
End of Daylight Savings Time	9am	8:30pm	+11.5 hours

Example: MST (Mountain Time Zone) to IST (Indian Standard Time)
Example Cities: Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix*

Time Period	U.S. Time (MST)	India Time	Time Difference
Daylight Savings Time	9am	8:30pm	+11.5 hours
End of Daylight Savings Time	9am	9:30pm	+12.5 hours

*The entire state of Arizona does not change clocks for daylight savings time.

Example: PST (Pacific Time Zone) to IST (Indian Standard Time)
Example Cities: Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Portland

Time Period	U.S. Time (PST)	India Time	Time Difference
Daylight Savings Time	9am	9:30pm	+12.5 hours
End of Daylight Savings Time	9am	10:30pm	+13.5 hours

How Do I Know I Have the Right Time?

• Use your computer
  Set two (or more clocks) on your computer tuned to the times of the locations where the meetings are taking place.
• Timeanddate.com
  I often use this website to find suitable meeting times for my international clients.
• Use Google
  Type “Time in (City Name)” into Google Search to find the current time. For example, here is the search for “Time in New York.”
• Computer Calendar Set the time zones in your e-mail program appropriately. Especially when the US side sets the meeting and sends you a reminder, it should come to your inbox or be listed on your calendar in your local time.

What exactly happens when the time change takes place?

Watch and listen to the video below where I show you what happens to the time, how it magically and automatically shifts back one hour at 1:59:59…. to… 1am!

How Do Americans Cope With The Time Change?
The end of daylight savings time is often easier to deal with than the beginning because of being able to get extra sleep. Many people will wake up an hour earlier and their body clock takes some time to adjust to the new time. 

Share any of your tips on coordinating meetings or phone calls with Americans when the time changes in the comment section below.

Has your US office outsourced projects to India? For those Multinational Companies (MNCs) looking for cultural training for their Indian-based colleagues interacting with their US counterparts via phone or email, contact Jennifer for more information. Jennifer is an American based in India providing cross-cultural training at competitive rates for in-person and virtual delivery.

Related Posts:
What is Daylight Savings Time?  
Managing Time in India – Business Meetings & Corporate Trainings 
Avoiding Long Status Review Meetings 

Updated: July 2013, Oct. 2014, March 2015
Networked blogs link: http://nblo.gs/ElLU5