A physical layer device includes a pseudo-random number generator, a register, a state machine, and a timer. The pseudo-random value generator is configured to produce a pseudo-random value within a predefined range. The register is configured to receive the pseudo-random value from the pseudo-random value generator and store the pseudo-random value. The state machine is configured to obtain the pseudo-random value from the register and provide the pseudo-random value to a timer within the physical layer device. The timer is configured to control a duration of an Energy Efficient Ethernet time period based on the pseudo-random value.