Ramadan in the workplace: HR best practices for 2025
VIWELL team
Last updated January 21, 2025
Ramadan is a significant and sacred time for Muslims worldwide, and if you’re wondering how to support your colleagues during this important month, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore what Ramadan is and how you can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment during this period.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is a time for fasting, prayer, self-reflection, and increased spirituality. It’s a deeply meaningful month for Muslims, commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
In 2025, Ramadan is expected to start at sunset on Friday, February 28 and end at sunset on Sunday, March 30. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset—no eating or drinking (including water)—and break their fast at sunset with a meal called iftar.
But Ramadan is more than just fasting. It's about deepening faith, practicing gratitude, and building empathy for others. Muslims use this time to reflect on their behavior, give to charity, and engage in community activities, including special nightly prayers known as Taraweeh.
How can you support your employees during Ramadan?
As Ramadan can be both spiritually enriching and physically demanding, offering support in the workplace is an excellent way to show your respect for employees observing Ramadan and create a more inclusive work culture. Here are some practical ways to help:
Offer flexibility with work hours
For flexible schedules: Employees who work outside of standard 9-to-5 hours may appreciate adjusting their workday during Ramadan. For example, some may prefer to start work early after suhoor (the pre-dawn meal), while others might feel more productive in the evening after iftar. Flexibility allows employees to choose the schedule that best suits their fasting and energy levels.
For 9-to-5 employees: Avoid scheduling meetings during lunchtime to prevent discomfort for those who are fasting. You could also offer the option to work remotely, reducing commute time and offering a more comfortable environment for managing energy levels.
Implement employee well-being programs
Ramadan can take a physical and emotional toll on employees due to fasting, changes in sleep patterns, and spiritual focus. Employee well-being programs can provide essential support during this time. These programs could include:
Stress management resources: Offering access to wellness programs that focus on stress reduction, mindfulness, and mental health can help employees manage the added pressure of fasting.
Physical Health Support: Programs that encourage hydration, balanced nutrition, and healthy habits during fasting can benefit employees and help them stay energized and productive.
Mental Health Resources: Ramadan can be a time of spiritual reflection, which may also lead to emotional challenges. Having access to counseling, mental health support, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) ensures employees feel supported in every aspect of their well-being.
Cultivate an inclusive culture through communication
Encourage open communication with your team. Ramadan affects everyone differently, and it’s essential to be respectful and understanding of how fasting can impact your colleagues. Let your Muslim employees know you’re open to conversations and that you respect their religious practices.
You can use employee surveys or one-on-one conversations to check in with your team and ensure you’re meeting their needs during this time. This helps create an environment where all employees feel heard, valued, and supported.
Provide space for prayer
Muslims pray five times a day, and during Ramadan, these prayers become even more significant. Providing a designated, quiet, private space where employees can pray during work hours is a thoughtful gesture. A meeting room or unused office can easily be converted into a prayer space with a prayer mat and a clean environment.
Additionally, if employees prefer to pray at a nearby mosque, allowing flexible time for this is a great way to support their religious observances.
Offer additional time off for religious observances
Fasting during Ramadan can be physically demanding, and some employees may require additional time off to rest or adjust to changes in their routine. Offering paid time off (PTO) during Ramadan or flexibility around sick days can help employees manage their physical health during the fasting period.
It’s also important to offer time off for Eid-al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan. This holiday is of great importance to Muslims and may last several days. Offering flexible PTO during Eid ensures that employees can fully participate in the celebrations without worrying about work obligations.
Sensitivity training for managers
Awareness: Ensure that managers and teams understand the importance of Ramadan for Muslim employees.
Respect: Cultivating an environment of respect, especially for practices like fasting and prayer.
Support: Provide managers with the tools to accommodate and support their employees during Ramadan without compromising workplace needs.
Encourage well-being check-ins
Encourage well-being check-ins during Ramadan through the VIWELL app to support employees’ physical and mental health during the fasting period. These check-ins can help identify individual needs, offer personalized resources, and ensure employees feel supported while balancing work and religious observances.
Download Ramadan HR toolkit!
Packed with practical tips and strategies, this toolkit will help employers create a supportive, inclusive work environment during Ramadan. Ensure your workplace is ready for this season!
FAQs
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To celebrate Ramadan at work, acknowledge the month by sending supportive messages and educating the team. Offer flexible hours to accommodate fasting and prayer schedules. You can also host iftar
gatherings or charity drives to encourage a sense of community and inclusivity.
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Offer flexible working hours and adjusted workloads to accommodate fasting schedules. Provide well-being resources, including stress management and hydration tips, to support employee health.
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During Ramadan, employees typically work fewer hours, often reduced to 6 hours per day, depending on local laws and company policies. This adjustment accommodates fasting and religious practices.
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Yes, employees can work during Ramadan, but their hours are often reduced to support fasting. Employers should prioritize employee well-being by offering flexibility and ensuring a balance between work and rest. This helps maintain productivity while respecting religious practices.
