In the era of remote work, time zones play a crucial role in organising international communication. It is especially important to understand the time in regions where the world’s largest companies are concentrated. One such time zone is PST, or Pacific Standard Time. In this article, we will take a closer look at what this time zone is, where and how it is used, and provide practical tips for working with it.
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What is PST?
PST stands for Pacific Standard Time, which refers to the standard time observed in the Pacific Time Zone. PST time zone is calculated as being eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8). To put it into perspective, when the time in London (which operates on UTC+0) reaches midday, the local time in regions following PST will be 4 a.m. This time difference is crucial for coordinating activities and communication across various global time zones.
PST is used during the winter months and switches to what is known as Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in the summer. The difference between PST and PDT is that PDT applies during daylight saving time, with clocks set forward one hour to make better use of daylight. During PDT, the difference from UTC is minus seven hours (UTC-7). The switch between PST and PDT happens twice a year: in spring and autumn.
Why time zones matter?
Time zones are a system of dividing the Earth into 24 zones, each differing by one hour. This system was created to synchronise time across different regions of the world. Without time zones, international communication, work, and travel would be extremely challenging.
If you work with international companies, especially those based on the west coast of the United States, it is essential to account for their time. Misunderstanding the time your counterpart is in can lead to misunderstandings, missed meetings, or delays in important projects.
Where PST is used?
PST is applied in the western part of North America. The main regions include:
- USA: the west coast, including the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Canada: the provinces of British Columbia and parts of Yukon.
- Mexico: northwestern regions, including the state of Baja California.
Some major cities where PST is used are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver. If you interact with partners from these cities, remember that their workday starts later than in most other regions of the world. For example, if you are in New York (Eastern Time, UTC-5), it will be three hours earlier in California.
Tips for working with PST
- Plan meetings with time zones in mind.
For instance, if you live in Moscow (UTC+3) and need to arrange a call with a colleague in Los Angeles, your workday starts at 9 am, but it will only be midnight in Los Angeles. The optimal time for a meeting would be after noon in Moscow when it is morning in Los Angeles.
- Use universal time windows.
The best time to communicate with the west coast of the United States is during the morning hours of PST, which coincide with late afternoon or evening in Europe. For example, if you have an urgent question, try to send emails or messages before 10 am PST. This increases the likelihood of a quick response.
- Account for PST and PDT transitions.
Do not forget that the time changes in March and November. For example, a meeting scheduled for 9 am PST in February will start at 9 am PDT in April, which is an hour earlier in your time. Check your calendar and confirm the current time with your colleagues.
- Send messages with time clarification.
When scheduling a meeting, always specify the time zone. For example: “Let’s have a call on Thursday at 10:00 PST.” This eliminates confusion. If you have colleagues in other regions, use UTC as a reference.
- Consider the difference in daily rhythms.
People on the west coast of the United States often work late into the evening, especially if they have international projects. If you need to contact them, try sending an email or message after 7 pm PST. This is when many check their work emails before bed.
Practical benefits of knowing PST
Understanding time zones helps organise work and communication more effectively. Here are some situations where knowing PST is useful:
- Working on projects with tight deadlines. For instance, you need to send a report to colleagues in Los Angeles by the end of their workday. If you live in another country, this might mean sending the report in the morning or even the day before.
- Participating in webinars and online courses. Many educational events are scheduled at a convenient time for organisers, often coinciding with PST. Make sure you convert the start time correctly to your time zone.
- Collaborating in international teams. For example, if you are preparing a presentation for a call, it should be ready by the start of your colleagues’ workday. If they work in PST, you will have additional time to finalise everything.
- Buying tickets or taking part in promotions. Some online stores or services launch special offers at specific times based on PST. Plan your actions in advance to take advantage of discounts.
Why is it important to remember time zones?
Time zones are more than just numbers on a clock. They define the rhythm of work, rest, and communication for people. If you work or communicate with people in other time zones, understanding their schedule will help you be more efficient and avoid unnecessary stress. Paying attention to such details demonstrates professionalism and respect for others’ time.
Time zones are about synchronisation, collaboration, and efficiency. If you learn to navigate them with ease, your work will become simpler, and your results will improve.
