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As a remote worker or digital nomad, navigating time zones can be a daunting task. With colleagues, clients, and projects scattered across the globe, understanding how to align your schedule with others becomes crucial. This guide aims to demystify the world of time zones, empowering you to work efficiently and maintain a healthy work-life balance no matter where you are.
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Understanding Time Zones
Before we dive into the intricacies of time zone management, let's establish a solid understanding of the basics. Time zones are geographic regions that observe the same standard time, allowing for coordinated timekeeping across the world. There are 24 primary time zones, each representing one hour's difference from the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).
Decoding Time Zone Abbreviations
Time zones are often represented by abbreviations, which can be confusing at first glance. GMT and UTC are used interchangeably, both referring to the primary reference time zone. Other common abbreviations include EST (Eastern Standard Time), PST (Pacific Standard Time), and CET (Central European Time). Familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations will make it easier to navigate schedules and coordinate meetings across different regions.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Work Schedules
Before delving into the intricacies of overlapping work hours, it's essential to understand the different work schedule models that remote teams adopt. Some businesses operate on a synchronous schedule, expecting team members to be available during designated business hours, regardless of their location. In contrast, others embrace an asynchronous approach, where work can be completed flexibly as long as deadlines are met and communication is maintained digitally, without the need for real-time collaboration.
The choice between synchronous and asynchronous work schedules largely depends on the nature of your role, the company's culture, and the level of coordination required with colleagues or clients. Recognizing this distinction is crucial when considering remote work or digital nomadism, as it will inform your approach to time zone management.
To better illustrate the implications of time zone differences on your work schedule, we've compiled comprehensive charts comparing various time zones in the Americas and Africa/Europe/Asia. These charts provide a visual representation of how your typical work hours in one time zone correspond to the schedules of colleagues or clients in other regions, facilitating effective coordination and planning.
Remote Working in the Americas Time Zones
There are seven time zones in the Americas - stretching from GMT -10 in Hawaii to GMT -3 in Greenland. With that in mind, we will be basing all comparisons on GMT-6, US Central Time Zone which includes Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, and Central Mexico.
GMT -6 Compared to Neighboring Time Zones
Assuming you work the typical 9am -5pm work day in the United States. This would be the equivalent of:
GMT -10 (Hawaiian Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 1pm to 9pm in GMT-6
Working from 5am to 1pm in GMT-10 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: Hawaii
GMT -9 (Alaskan Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 12pm to 8pm in GMT-6
Working from 6am to 2pm in GMT-9 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: Alaska
GMT -8 (Pacific Standard Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 11am to 7pm in GMT-6
Working from 7am to 3pm in GMT-8 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon
GMT -7 (Mountain Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 10am to 6pm in GMT-6
Working from 8am to 4pm in GMT-7 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico
GMT -5 (Eastern US Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 8am to 4pm in GMT-6
Working from 10am to 6pm in GMT-5 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: Eastern U.S., Eastern Canada
GMT -4 (Atlantic Canadian Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 7am to 3pm in GMT-6
Working from 11am to 7pm in GMT-4 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: Atlantic Canada
GMT -3 (Brasilia Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 6am to 2pm in GMT-6
Working from 12pm to 8pm in GMT-3 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT -6
Region: East Brazil, Argentine northeast
GMT -6 Compared to International Time Zones
GMT -1 ( Cape Verde Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 4am to 12pm in GMT-6
Working from 2pm to 10pm in GMT-1 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Cape Verde, Azores
GMT 0 (Greenwich Mean Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 3am to 11am in GMT-6
Working from 3pm to 11pm in GMT 0 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: UK, Portugal, Ireland, Iceland, Morocco
GMT + 1 (Central European Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 2am to 10am in GMT-6
Working from 4pm to 12am in GMT+1 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: France, Denmark, Algeria, Canary Islands, Czech Republic, Albania, etc.
GMT +2 (Eastern European Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 1am to 9am in GMT-6
Working from 5pm to 1am in GMT+2 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Finland, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Israel
GMT +3 (Moscow Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 12am to 8am in GMT-6
Working from 6pm to 2am in GMT+3 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine
GMT +4 (ArmeniaTime Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 11pm to 7am in GMT-6
Working from 7pm to 3am in GMT+4 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: UAE, Mauritius, Seychelles, Azerbaijan
GMT +5 (PakistanTime Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 10pm to 6am in GMT-6
Working from 8pm to 4am in GMT+5 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
GMT +6 (Bangladesh Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 9pm to 5am in GMT-6
Working from 9pm to 5am in GMT+6 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan
GMT +7 (Indochina Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 8pm to 4am in GMT-6
Working from 10pm to 6am in GMT+7 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
GMT +8 (Chinese Standard Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 7pm to 3am in GMT-6
Working from 11pm to 7am in GMT+8 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: China, Singapore, Western Australia
GMT +9 (Japan/Korea Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 6pm to 2am in GMT-6
Working from 12pm to 8am in GMT+9 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Japan, Korea, Palau
GMT +10 (Australian Eastern Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 5pm to 1am in GMT-6
Working from 1pm to 9am in GMT+10 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT-6
Region: Eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea
Remote Working in Africa/Europe/Asia Time Zones
There are twelve time zones- stretching from GMT -1in Cape Verde to GMT +10 in Australia. However, the vast majority of them are between GMT -1 and GTM +4. With that in mind, we will be basing all comparisons on GMT+1, Europe Central Time Zone, which includes France, Denmark, Algeria, Canary Islands, Czech Republic, Albania, etc.
GMT +1 Compared to Neighboring Time Zones
Assuming you work the typical 9am -5pm work day in Central Europe. This would be the equivalent of:
GMT -1 ( Cape Verde Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 11am to 7pm in GMT+1
Working from 7am to 3pm in GMT-1 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT +1
Region: Cape Verde, Azores
GMT 0 (Greenwich Mean Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 10am to 6pm in GMT+1
Working from 8am to 4pm in GMT 0 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: UK, Portugal, Ireland, Iceland, Morocco
GMT +2 (Eastern European Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 8am to 4pm in GMT+1
Working from 10am to 6pm in GMT+2 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Finland, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Israel
GMT +3 (Moscow Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 7am to 3pm in GMT+1
Working from 11am to 7pm in GMT+3 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT +1
Region: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine
GMT +4 (Armenia Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 6am to 2pm in GMT+1
Working from 12pm to 8pm in GMT+4 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: UAE, Mauritius, Seychelles, Azerbaijan
GMT +5 (Pakistan Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 5am to 1pm in GMT+1
Working from 1pm to 9pm in GMT+5 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
GMT +6 (Bangladesh Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 4am to 12pm in GMT+1
Working from 2pm to 10pm in GMT+6 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan
GMT +7 (Indochina Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 3am to 11am in GMT+1
Working from 3pm to 11pm in GMT is th+7e same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
GMT +8 (Chinese Standard Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 2am to 10am in GMT+1
Working from 4pm to 12am in GMT+8 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: China, Singapore, Western Australia
GMT +9 (Japan/Korea Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 1am to 9am in GMT+1
Working from 5pm to 1am in GMT+9 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Japan, Korea, Palau
GMT +10 (Australian Eastern Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 12am to 8pm in GMT+1
Working from 6pm to 2am in GMT+10 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea
GMT +1 Compared to Americas Time Zones
Assuming you work the typical 9am -5pm work day in Central Europe. This would be the equivalent of:
GMT -10 (Hawaiian Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 8pm to 4am in GMT+1
Working from 10pm to 6am in GMT-10 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT +1
Region: Hawaii
GMT -9 (Alaskan Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 7pm to 3am in GMT+1
Working from 11pm to 7am in GMT-9 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT +1
Region: Alaska
GMT -8 (Pacific Standard Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 6pm to 2am in GMT+1
Working from 12am to 8am in GMT-8 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon
GMT -7 (Mountain Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 5pm to 1am in GMT+1
Working from 1am to 9am in GMT-7 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico
GMT -6 (Central Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 4pm to 12am in GMT+1
Working from 2am to 10am in GMT-6 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Central Mexico
GMT -5 (Eastern US Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 3pm to 11pm in GMT+1
Working from 3am to 11am in GMT-5 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Eastern U.S., Eastern Canada
GMT -4 (Atlantic Canadian Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 2pm to 10pm in GMT+1
Working from 4am to 12pm in GMT-4 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: Atlantic Canada
GMT -3 (Brasilia Time Zone)
Working from 9am to 5pm there is like working 1pm to 9pm in GMT+1
Working from 5am to 1pm in GMT-3 is the same as working 9am to 5pm in GMT+1
Region: East Brazil, Argentine northeast
Overlapping Work Hours
One of the primary challenges for remote workers and digital nomads is aligning their work hours with colleagues or clients in different time zones. To effectively manage this, you'll need to understand how your typical workday corresponds to the schedules of those you collaborate with.
For example, if you're based in the Central Time Zone (GMT-6) and your team operates in the Eastern Time Zone (GMT-5), a 9 AM to 5 PM workday for you would overlap with their schedule from 10 AM to 6 PM. Conversely, if you're working with a team in Central Europe (GMT+1), your 9 AM to 5 PM would align with their hours from 2 AM to 10 AM.
Adapting Your Schedule
While it's essential to understand time zone differences, it's equally important to adapt your schedule to accommodate the needs of your work. If your job requires frequent collaboration with colleagues or clients in different time zones, consider adjusting your workday to maximize the overlap. This could mean starting earlier or ending later, depending on the specific time zone differences.
Tools for Time Zone Management
To streamline your time zone management efforts, leverage various tools and resources available. World clocks, time zone converters, and scheduling apps can provide visual representations of time zone differences, making it easier to coordinate meetings and deadlines. Additionally, many popular productivity and communication tools, such as Slack and Google Calendar, offer time zone integration, allowing you to see everyone's availability at a glance.
Embracing Flexibility
One of the greatest advantages of remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle is the flexibility it offers. While navigating time zones can be challenging, it's essential to embrace this flexibility and find a rhythm that works best for you and your collaborators. Experiment with different schedules, communicate openly with your team, and prioritize self-care to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Conclusion
Mastering time zones is a crucial skill for remote workers and digital nomads. By understanding the basics of time zones, decoding abbreviations, aligning work hours, adapting your schedule, and utilizing time zone management tools, you'll be better equipped to collaborate effectively across borders. Embrace the flexibility of your lifestyle, and remember that effective time zone management is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation.
If you want to join us in building a network of global travelers around the world who share your passion for Christ and travel - specifically in or out of your time zone - the get early access to Christian Travelers Network today!