The month of Ramadan is hugely important for Muslims worldwide, offering a time for spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion. For businesses, understanding and supporting employees during this period is essential to fostering an inclusive and accommodating workplace.
Whilst being a significant month, Ramadan is also a challenging time for Muslim employees which means it is important for businesses to be aware of what they can do, and here we offer information and advice to business leaders that will equip you with the tools needed to make this time as comfortable as possible.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan (also spelled Ramadhan) is the holy month when Muslims celebrate the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. During this time, those taking part will fast from sunrise to sunset, but it’s much more than just abstaining from food and drink. It is a time to purify the mind, body, and soul, engage in charitable deeds, and cultivate a deeper spiritual connection.
Ramadan is a time to reflect on one’s actions and words, offering the opportunity to purify the mind, body and soul. It is a spiritual and physical detox in a sense, as well as providing the chance to get closer to God and become more compassionate to those in need.
During this month, Muslims dedicate as much time as they can to worship and undertaking charitable deeds, as the rewards are multiplied in this month. The idea is to be on your best behaviour to attain high reward and carry on with these habits beyond Ramadan.
Ramadan lasts around 29 to 30 days, and Eid is then celebrated upon the sighting of the moon. In the UK, fasting hours can range from 11 to 16 hours depending on the season, making workplace support crucial for Muslim employees observing this practice.
How can businesses support employees during Ramadan?
Employers can take several steps to create a supportive environment for employees fasting during Ramadan:
- Offer flexible working arrangements
- Consider adjusting working hours for employees who are fasting. For example, allowing earlier start and finish times can help employees manage their energy levels more effectively.
- Some employees may prefer to work through their lunch break to finish earlier.
- Equally, it is important not to assume that someone working during Ramadan will want to work through their lunch - they might actually be looking forward to the break.
- Always discuss arrangements with them.
- Be mindful when scheduling meetings and events
- Avoid scheduling meetings during prayer times where possible. Key prayer times include early morning, midday, late afternoon, sunset, and night prayers.
- Be conscious of hosting social or team-building events that involve food during fasting hours.
- Provide a prayer space
- While the five prayers are obligatory outside of Ramadan, Muslims can be more particular about praying on time during this month.
- If possible, allocate a quiet, private space for employees to pray during the workday. Ideally, this should be a permanent accommodation beyond Ramadan.
- Be understanding and supportive
- Energy levels can fluctuate due to disrupted sleep and long fasting hours. Employees may feel more tired than usual, particularly in the first week.
- Some may also experience headaches due to dehydration. Offering reasonable adjustments, such as a lighter workload on particularly long fasting days, can make a big difference.
- Respect choices and be considerate
- Avoid asking if a person is fasting.
- Not every Muslim will fast, as some may be exempt due to health reasons, pregnancy, menstruation, or other personal circumstances. Avoid asking employees whether they are fasting, as this can be uncomfortable for those who are unable to participate.
- Accommodate annual leave requests
- Employers may notice there are more requests for time off, which may come from those taking part in Ramadan. These may come at short notice because Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar which focuses on monthly cycles of the Moon's phases.
- There may also be requests during the last ten days of Ramadan, which are considered the most sacred.
- Because the dates of Ramadan and Eid vary, employees may not always have a confirmed leave request far in advance. Being flexible with short-notice requests is helpful.
- Encourage awareness amongst colleagues who aren't taking part in Ramadan
- Raising awareness about Ramadan among non-Muslim colleagues fosters a more supportive and inclusive work environment.
- A simple greeting like 'Ramadan Mubarak' (Happy Ramadan) can help create a sense of understanding and appreciation.
- This could be an opportunity to teach co-workers and for them to learn more about it.
Tips for employees who are fasting and working
While businesses can do their part to be supportive, employees fasting during Ramadan can also take steps to manage their well-being. We spoke to Zanub Najmi who has offered tips to those that are fasting and working during Ramadan.
Zanub has gone into more detail about her usual day during Ramadan:
- She gets up early in the morning and the Sehri/Fajr is the closing of the fast and morning prayers on the first day of Ramadan - the time will vary depending on the time of year.
- The Dhuhr, which is the midday prayers takes place anytime between 12-1:15pm every day, and the Asr is the third prayer of the day, and takes place in the late afternoon.
- Maghrib/Iftaar is the opening of the fast and evening prayer. Zanub highlighted the importance of this part of the day as families usually come together to open their fast.
- The Isha prayer and Tarawee is the night time prayer and can last anything up to 2.5 hours.
Here are Zanub's tips to employees that are fasting:
Communicate with your manager: Inform your employer about your fasting so they can make adjustments if needed.
Stay hydrated: Ensure you drink enough water before sunrise and after sunset to maintain energy levels.
Take breaks: A short walk or a step away from the desk can help with concentration. Being sat at a desk for most of the day can sometimes feel hard when you are fasting but this helps with keeping you energised.
Manage caffeine intake: Have coffee or caffeine at the closing fast gives you an energy boost and can sometimes help reduce the headaches you may get.
By making small but meaningful adjustments, businesses can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for Muslim employees during Ramadan. If you would like further advice on supporting your team, please get in touch - we’d be happy to help.
