Ramadan during the pandemic

During the month of Ramadan, observant Muslims around the world abstain from food, drink, and stimulants such as cigarettes or chewing gum from dawn until sunset.

After sunset, people usually gather to break their fast (Iftar) and pray. This year, in most countries, this is only possible under strict conditions. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr – the festival of breaking the fast. The first day of this festival usually begins with a special prayer at the mosque. Over the following three days, families and friends visit one another, exchange gifts, and spend time together.

Although the festivities will likely differ from those before the global COVID-19 pandemic, employers should anticipate that celebrations will take place in various forms and should therefore be prepared for leave requests from Muslim employees around this time.

Employers can support their staff during Ramadan by:

• Ensuring that all employees working with Muslim colleagues understand how fasting for up to 17 hours can impact work practices. Avoid scheduling meetings with Muslim colleagues in the afternoon, as concentration levels may decrease after midday.
• Offering flexible working hours, to allow those fasting to start their day earlier and finish their workday sooner.
• Not requiring fasting employees to attend evening events, even if they are just online video meetings. During this time, evenings are often dedicated to eating, prayer, and potentially virtual gatherings with family and the wider community.
• In the case of shift work assess whether changes can be made to give those fasting the opportunity to swap shifts or adjust their working hours in a way that works for everyone involved. If this cannot be arranged, allow employees to take a sufficiently long break at sunset to break their fast and pray.
• Raise awareness of the factthat it can be difficult for Muslims during this period to participate in a shared lunch (even if it is an online video meeting).
• foster understanding and exchange between fasting and non-fasting team members. For example, you could organize a virtual evening meal to break the fast together, allowing Muslim colleagues to share a part of their lives with their other colleagues.

With that in mind: Ramadan Mubarak!

Further information

You can find the English-language article from HR-Zone here.

A German-language brochure from the Initiative Gesundheit und Arbeit can be found here.