Eight Tips to Support Muslims at Work During Ramadan

It’s the last week of Ramadan, and it’s not too late to think about how you are supporting Muslim colleagues this year.

In April 2022, at the beginning of Ramadan, I wrote a series of tips about how best to support people that you manage or work alongside during the month of Ramadan. (If you’re not sure what Ramadan is, the month involves abstaining from food and drink from before sunrise until sunset and is a month focused on personal development, reflection, and social justice.) The exact end of the month is marked by the celebration of Eid, which is also determined by the lunar calendar. 

We’re almost at the end of Ramadan, and fatigue is high as is the desire to make the most of the last ten days and nights of the month - the most spiritually significant part of Ramadan. For this reason, I am sharing these tips on how to think creatively about how to support the observance of Ramadan at work in these last few days and in the years to come.

Here are eight tips:

1. Recognize some employees may need to “split the day up”

With fasts beginning before 5 am and prayers going on late into the night, you may have some sleepy colleagues! If their role allows for this, some people may decide to start and end earlier in the day or start and end later in the day. Other colleagues may decide to “split their day up” to take a nap and continue their workday later in the evening or early the next day. Or they might just need to keep their afternoons clear of meetings. What each person will need exactly will depend on them (asking is a great way to find out!) but as much as possible, try and be flexible with what colleagues need.

2. Schedule important meetings in the morning

While your Muslim colleague will likely be used to fasting, it can help their practice to schedule important meetings early (but not too early!) in the day. Early scheduling can help colleagues observing the month to be alert.

3. Try not to organize food related team get-togethers or lunch-time gatherings this month

As things start to open up and the weather becomes warmer, you may be looking to start gathering as a team. It can be hard to participate when others are eating, so try and hold team building activities for after Eid if possible. In general, try not to schedule activities or calls over lunch - you may have team members who are using their lunch hour to take a rest and catch up on sleep.

4. Recognize that Ramadan will become more intense as the month goes on.

The days of the month increase in importance as the month goes on, and you may have colleagues who are staying up later and sleeping less with each consecutive week. In the final ten days, this is especially true. Extend grace to colleagues who may not seem as alert this month or perhaps seem a bit quieter. It may be that they are just missing their mid-morning caffeine hit.  

5. Try to use instant message software less

Needing to get ahold of a colleague? Consider an email instead of Slack or Teams. Given that colleagues may be structuring their day differently, it may be harder for them to respond to your messages right away.

6. Have you noticed your colleague isn’t fasting? Don’t ask why.

A sick day, a variety of health conditions or other situations can be an exemption from fasting. A person may not be fasting but still observing the month of Ramadan. If you notice a colleague having snacks, it’s better not to ask why.

7. Be flexible with colleagues taking time off during Eid

Since Eid is a lunar holiday, it will fall on one of two potential dates, depending on the sighting of the moon the day before. This year, Eid might fall on May 1st or 2nd, but the exact date will only be known until the night before. Colleagues may decide to take a few more days in addition to Eid, as this is the most festive time of the year for Muslims.  

8. Consider moving deadlines, going at a slower pace

Are there projects that are movable? Can you restructure work? What some colleagues might need is not so much to do the same work in less time, but to consider what it is truly important and urgent, and what can be moved or rethought to allow for more space in the month. After the first in-person Ramadan in two years, and mosques finally open this year, one of the best and most supportive things you can do as a manager or colleague is to help Muslims colleagues take opportunities that they wish to in order to make the most of the month.

Tips you would add to this list? Please do share in the comments.