If your business is connected with clients or partners on the West Coast of the United States, you essentially have an additional 8 hours of working time. This advantage comes from the time zone difference. While people in the Pacific Standard Time (PST) zone start their day, the working day in Dublin is already nearing its end. This time difference can be used strategically to optimise business processes.
In this article, you will learn:
- What the PST time zone is and how the time difference with Ireland works
- Why the time difference matters for business
- Practical tips: How to adjust your working schedule for 24/7 productivity
What is the PST time zone and how does the time difference with Ireland work?
The PST (Pacific Standard Time) zone is used in the winter on the west coast of the USA and in certain parts of Canada. It is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). From March to November, these regions switch to Daylight Saving Time, known as Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), which is 7 hours behind UTC.
In Ireland, during the winter months, the country operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the zero time zone from which all other time zones are measured. GMT is used from the end of October to the end of March. From the end of March to October, Ireland shifts to Irish Standard Time (IST), which is 1 hour ahead of UTC.
The time difference between the US West Coast and Ireland remains constant throughout the year. Ireland is 8 hours ahead of PST. For example, when it is 8:00 AM in Los Angeles, it is already 4:00 PM in Dublin.
Of course, the 8-hour difference in working hours can create challenges, such as when scheduling meetings, launching projects, or addressing urgent issues. However, it can also be used to optimise workflows and improve productivity.
Why the time difference matters for business
The time difference between Ireland and the USA offers the unique opportunity for businesses to operate without interruptions. When the working day in Ireland finishes, the American team is just starting theirs. This allows for seamless task handover and communication without losing any time. The Irish team can complete tasks, send reports and updates at the end of their day, and these can be immediately addressed in the USA the following morning. This approach accelerates project timelines and helps businesses work around the clock.
Practical Tips: How to Adapt Your Work Schedule for 24/7 Productivity
- Use modern scheduling tools
Tools like Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook automatically take time zones into account. You can set the calendar to reflect PST time and send meeting invitations with exact times for both sides. This helps avoid confusion. The optimal time for calls and meetings is late evening in Ireland and morning in the USA.
- Communicate asynchronously
Not all tasks require synchronous communication. Send emails or messages in the evening, and they will be received in the morning in PST. You can then read the response during your next working day. This ensures that work continues even when teams are not online at the same time.
- Use project management systems
A key aspect is having a clear schedule for task handover. To avoid confusion and delays, it’s essential to agree in advance on what needs to be done and by when. Using modern collaboration tools, such as project management systems and messaging platforms with time tracking features, simplifies such interactions. These tools help sync team actions, even when working hours do not align. For instance, tasks can be marked as completed, and notes can be added, allowing the next team to move straight to the next phase.
Conclusion
Ireland is a crucial hub for international businesses, especially in the tech industry. Many large international companies have regional offices or operational bases in Ireland. Companies like Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), Apple, and LinkedIn have their headquarters in Dublin. These and many other companies operate on PST time.
The 8-hour time difference between PST and Ireland allows businesses to work around the clock, enhancing productivity without disrupting employees’ natural rhythms.
