Ramadan at Work
The Manager's Guide
It's not just "no food". It's sleep deprivation, dehydration, and spiritual intensity. How to manage it safely.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Adult Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. No food, no water, no smoking.
1. The Physiology of Fasting
To manage it, you must understand it.
🚫 No Water
Dehydration affects cognitive function and patience. By 4pm, tempers may be shorter.
😴 Sleep Disruption
They are waking up at 3am to eat. They are effectively jet-lagged for 30 days.
2. Reasonable Adjustments
Under the Equality Act 2010, you should consider adjustments. These are usually cost-neutral.
- Shift the Day: Allow them to start early (e.g. 7am) and finish early (3pm). This reduces the time spent working while hungry/tired in the late afternoon.
- Remote Mornings: If they have been up since 3am, allowing them to work from home saves the commute energy.
- Meeting Times: Avoid "Lunch & Learn" sessions (obviously) and high-stakes strategy meetings after 3pm.
3. The "Safety Override"
Critical Safety Note
If an employee is performing a safety-critical role (surgeon, crane operator, police driver) and they are dangerously fatigued/dehydrated, you must intervene.
Islam has a "preservation of life" clause. If fasting endangers life, it is forbidden to fast. You can respectfully stand them down from safety duties if they are compromised.
4. Etiquette
Q: Can I eat in front of them?
A: Yes. Just don't happen to wave a bacon sandwich in their face.
Normal eating is fine.
Q: Should I fast with them for a day?
A: It's a nice gesture of solidarity (the "Ramadan Challenge"), but
not expected. If you do, donate the money you saved on lunch to charity.