Ramadan in the workplace

This year, it is expected that Ramadan will begin on Monday 10 March and end on Wednesday 10 April. During this time, many Muslims are faced with the challenge of balancing their religious commitments with work commitments. We have set out our top tips on how employers can accommodate their employees during the month of Ramadan.

• Educate line managers and colleagues. For example, publicising the dates of Ramadan on your Intranet and explaining the concept of fasting can enable employees to be sensitive to the needs of colleagues who may be observing the fast.
• As Muslims will be waking earlier than usual and staying up late, consider flexibility in start and finish times to the working day.
• Avoid scheduling meetings around Iftar to allow colleagues to break their fast.
• Consider flexibility to your hybrid working model to allow for more remote working.
• Avoid scheduling important meetings, such as performance reviews, late in the day as an employee’s energy levels may be low.
• Be prepared to receive, and where possible accept, annual leave requests for certain periods of Ramadan and Eid.