Supporting Ramadan in the workplace

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is at a different time each year because Islam uses the lunar calendar. This year, Ramadan will last from the 22nd of March (depending on the sighting of the moon) until the 20th of April.  

It’s important to realise that while fasting is a key part of Ramadan, it also may include rising early and eating late with family and friends, taking part in charitable activities, and conducting prayers.

Throughout the month, workers might also have additional religious commitments. It may be especially important to perform prayers on time throughout the week, or to take extra time on Friday afternoons to attend congregational prayers. If there is a mosque close by, workers may choose to go there during the day.

The last ten days of Ramadan are considered especially holy. Some Muslim workers might decide to take time off, or ask to change their working patterns to attend all-night prayers.

Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the fasting period and is a time of great celebration. There is often some uncertainty about which day Eid will fall, because it depends on moon sightings. Be prepared for your Muslim colleagues to not always know the exact date, which may have an impact on when they can work and how much notice they can give you.

Supporting employees during Ramadan

Supporting colleagues during Ramadan is part of building a workplace where everyone is respected and valued. 

With that in mind, here are four things you can do to support those employees observing Ramadan this year:

1. Communicate
   If there are going to be employees observing Ramadan, raise awareness amongst all other employees about what Ramadan entails and how you should all support them during this period. 
2. Avoid meetings over lunch
   It’s important to be considerate throughout. Most lunch meetings will involve food, so be aware that employees who are fasting will be unable to eat or drink during this time. 
3. Be flexible
   Allow those observing Ramadan to alter their work hours to accommodate their fasting and mealtimes. Be considerate and flexible with leave requests and be prepared to schedule/change important meetings to not coincide with their prayer, fasting or break of fast times.
4. Provide private praying spaces
   If possible, give those employees observing Ramadan a safe and private space to pray. This can be in the form of a meeting room that can be easily booked for prayer.