Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 AM, when clocks fall back to 1:00 AM. For restaurants, that means anyone working through the overnight hours works one extra real hour, and you generally must pay for the hours actually worked. Plan the schedule, set your POS clock rules, and decide on closing time before the weekend so payroll does not turn into a guessing game.
Why the "fall back" hour matters to restaurants
Most restaurants close before 1 AM, so the change barely touches them. But bars, late-night kitchens, hotel restaurants and anyone with overnight cleaning crews will have employees clocked in during the repeated 1:00 to 2:00 AM hour. A closer who clocks in at 6 PM Saturday and out at 2 AM Sunday has actually worked nine hours, not eight. Pay them for nine. Rules on this can vary by state, so confirm with your payroll provider or state labor department, and see Understanding Overtime Rules for Restaurants for the basics.
Step 1: Decide how you will operate that night
You have three realistic options for the extra hour:
| Option | What happens | Labor impact |
|---|---|---|
| Close at the normal clock time | Staff leave at 2:00 AM (first pass), no extra hour | Minimal |
| Stay open for the extra hour | Sales continue, staff work a real extra hour | Added wages plus taxes |
| Shorten the shift | Close an hour early by the clock so total hours match | Saves labor, loses sales |
Estimate sales for that hour before choosing. The worksheet below shows the added cost with payroll load and overtime so you can compare it to expected sales. If a bar normally rings $600 between 1 and 2 AM, an extra four-person hour at $16 plus load costs under $100 and is worth staying open.
Step 2: Check time clock behavior
Test how your time clock handles the repeated hour before the weekend. Some systems record punches in local time without a timezone marker, which makes shifts crossing 2:00 AM look an hour short or long. Ask your provider how it records the change, then verify with a test punch. If you use cloud time clocks, see How to Set Up Employee Time Clocks and Break Tracking in Your POS. Keep a paper sheet at the host stand as a backup for that night.
Step 3: Watch overtime and break rules
An extra hour can push someone over 40 hours or over a daily overtime threshold in states that use one. Look at Saturday night closers who already work five or six shifts. Use Building an Employee Schedule That Controls Costs to rotate who closes, and check meal break rules in Setting Fair and Legal Break Policies.
Takeaway: Pay for the hours your staff actually work. Decide before Saturday whether you will stay open through the repeated hour, and test your time clock so the shift records correctly.
Step 4: Handle spring forward the same way
In March the reverse happens: a shift crossing 2:00 AM is an hour shorter. Hourly employees are paid for the hours worked, which is one less. Salaried managers are typically paid their normal salary, but check your state rules. Tell staff in advance so they are not surprised by a smaller paycheck.
Step 5: Communicate with your team
Post a note in your scheduling app and at the time clock a week early. Mention the closing time, how the extra hour will be paid, and who is on the shift. Clear communication prevents the "I thought I worked eight hours" conversations on payday. If your POS handles scheduling and time clocks, Cobblestone POS is a free option that includes scheduling and labor reporting, so you can see the extra-hour cost without paying a monthly fee. For setup ideas, read How to Set Up Employee Scheduling in Your POS.
Step 6: Review payroll before submitting
After the weekend, pull the labor report and look for three things: closers whose hours look short by an hour, missing punches near 2 AM, and unexpected overtime. Fix errors before payroll is processed, because corrections later cost time and can create compliance issues. How to Handle Payroll and Payroll Taxes covers a clean review routine.
A quick checklist
- Choose your closing plan for November 1.
- Test the time clock with a mock punch across 2:00 AM.
- Flag staff near 40 hours.
- Post the plan for the team.
- Review payroll on Monday morning.
Taking ten minutes now spares you a messy payroll correction and keeps your team confident they are paid correctly for every hour they work.
Download the DST extra-hour labor cost calculator