Every year, Muslims all over the world come together to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. To help support Muslim staff at work, we’ve put together a simple guide on how to create an inclusive environment during this important month.
Being able to pray on time
Muslims pray five times a day, at specific times between sunrise and sunset. One way employers can help their Muslim colleagues is giving them the space to leave for prayer. Praying on time is very important for Muslims, especially during Ramadan. Being able to leave for 5-10 minutes, even when it’s busy, without being pressured with questions or judgment will help your Muslim employees feel less stressed. If there’s space, we also recommend setting up a prayer room or an allocated space in your office for both male and female workers to pray separately.
Accommodate employees who break their fast at work
If you have employees observing Ramadan and they are working after sunset, also known as Maghrib, having dates and water ready so they can break their fast would be appreciated by them.
Consider condensed hours
Sleep schedules during Ramadan are often altered in accordance to people waking up at dawn to begin their fast. Without receiving optimal sleep and rest, this might make some mornings difficult for employees to start their work at 8/9am. Some people may prefer taking a shorter lunch break and finishing work a little earlier too.
Flexible working
Where possible, negotiating flexible working patterns for Muslim staff can enable them to work more efficiently. For example, being able to work from home or adjust start and finish times can help accommodate prayer breaks, fasting schedules, and religious commitments.
Flexibility can reduce stress, improve focus, and show that the workplace values employees’ wellbeing and faith. Small adjustments like these during Ramadan make a big difference in creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
Avoid evening meetings
If you have late evening meetings or work events, try rescheduling them earlier so your Muslim employees have enough time to rest and prepare for Iftar (time to break the fast).
Be mindful
Although it may not come across as ill-intended, comments like “I want to fast so I can lose weight” can be seen as rude. Ramadan is a religious tradition and a time meant for reflecting on and being grateful for the life God has given you.
Other comments such as, “I’m sorry you have to do this” or “are you forced to fast?” should be avoided. Many Muslims look forward to Ramadan; it is a time where they feel more connected to God, families and friends. By joining together to celebrate, Muslims step away from consumerism and material objects to appreciate life and feel more spiritually connected.
Be flexible with annual leave
Ramadan is based on the Islamic lunar calendar. This means Muslims may not know when Eid or Ramadan is until the night before, so if your employee calls the night before to change the date of their annual leave, it is important be understanding. The last ten days of Ramadan are considered the most holy, so if your Muslim employees come in late or take time off it’s so they can focus on prayer, reading the Quran and their spirituality.
Workplace social events
When planning workplace social events, be mindful of the needs of Muslim colleagues. Avoid venues centered around alcohol, like pubs, and consider alternative spaces such as cafes, restaurants, or outdoor activities where everyone can feel comfortable participating.
Offering inclusive options ensures that social events are welcoming for all employees, helping to build team spirit without putting anyone in an awkward or exclusionary situation.
If you would like to learn more about inclusivity practises in the workplace, check out our open training workshops.
