We use GMT as our base time.
The world is divided into various time zones, each defined by its offset from GMT. Here’s a brief overview of how this works:
- UTC+0 (GMT): The baseline time.
- UTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time): This time zone is five hours behind GMT. For example, if it’s 3 PM GMT, it’s 10 AM in New York during standard time.
- UTC+1 (Central European Time): One hour ahead of GMT, meaning if it’s 3 PM GMT, it’s 4 PM in Paris.
- Daylight Saving Time (DST): Many regions adjust their clocks forward by one hour during warmer months, which can temporarily shift their time zone offset. For instance, New York becomes UTC-4 during DST.
Daylight Saving Time Confusion
Regions that observe DST can experience additional complications when scheduling with GMT. For example, during DST, the time difference for some regions changes. If a meeting is scheduled for 3 PM GMT during the summer, participants in New York must remember to adjust for the UTC-4 offset instead of the usual UTC-5. This can lead to confusion if not clearly communicated.
Consistency in Digital Communication
In the digital realm, using GMT can foster consistency. Many online platforms and services operate on GMT/UTC, allowing for a standardized method of timestamping events. This is particularly important for global operations, where users may be accessing services from various time zones.