Supporting your employees during Ramadan

As the month of Ramadan approaches, it’s important to understand how you can best support your employees who may begin their practice of fasting. As Ramadan is expected to begin on the 22nd of March, here are some considerations to think about for the duration of the holiday.

1. Understand what Ramadan is

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. The fast is observed from dawn to dusk and is intended to help Muslims develop self-control, discipline and patience.

2. Be respectful of your Muslim colleagues

During Ramadan, some of your colleagues will likely be fasting during the day and may be tired or irritable. It is important to be respectful of their religious beliefs and practices.

3. Offer support and assistance

If you have colleagues who are observing Ramadan, think about offering them your support and assistance. For example, allow for more frequent breaks or opportunities to rest during the day.

4. Avoid scheduling meetings or events during Ramadan

If possible, avoid scheduling very early morning meetings or events during Ramadan. If you must schedule something during this time, try to make it as accommodating as possible for your colleagues.

5. Be prepared for annual leave requests

Eid is the festival that marks the end of Ramadan which is dependent on the sighting of the new moon. This means your employees may need to request time off at short notice.

6. Raise awareness within the workplace

Be mindful of recognising the importance of Ramadan and build awareness to ensure that your team are educated regarding this. Try to encourage your teams to support those employees practising the month of fasting.

 

It’s fantastic how diverse and inclusive our society is, living among people who come from all different backgrounds, with different perspectives and stories. We should use our differences as inspiration and build relationships by bridging gaps and learning from each other. Let us remember to embrace diversity in its entirety and be mindful of the positive impact we make when we accept each other exactly as we are.

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