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March 1st marked the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam—observed by many Muslims as a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. During this month, lasting 29-30 days based on a lunar calendar, fasting during daylight hours is obligatory for adult Muslims who are physically able. Ramadan observances—from fasting daily, to reading the Quran, to recommended prayers, charity and good deeds—are intended to motivate spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and increased devotion among Muslims.
Over the course of the next four weeks or so, you may notice that Muslim employees will refrain from eating food and drinking water between about 5:30am and 7:30pm in their respective time zones, with those hours getting slightly longer as the month progresses. Here are some other things you should know to support your staff.
☪️ An important part of observing Ramadan is upholding societal obligations a.k.a. work. Observing Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink or engaging in increased prayer and charity. It’s also about practicing self-discipline and upholding all regular obligations, despite the added physical and logistical challenges.
☪️ Each person will structure their days differently to accommodate the fasting and special prayers (called Taraweeh) observed during this month. Your Muslim teammates may observe Ramadan in diverse ways depending on cultural practices and personal choices. Because evening prayers can last until midnight and fasting begins again at approximately 5:30am, some Muslims find it most manageable to stay up through the night in order to maximize spiritual practice and calorie in-take, and to then get their sleep from 5:30am until mid-morning. If you know your teammate/direct report is fasting, feel free to talk to them about how to schedule meetings and other commitments for the month, so that they can bring their best selves to work.
☪️ Many Muslims are more strict about prayer times during Ramadan. Muslims pray five times a day, with each prayer lasting between 10-15 minutes. During this time of year, Muslim employees may be more diligent about taking regular breaks to pray. Allow flexible work hours or adjusted shift times, especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan when religious devotion intensifies.
☪️ Fasting is hard—especially in the first week. If you know that your employee is fasting, consider avoiding food-focused gatherings/happy hours (until after March 30). This would be greatly appreciated by those who cannot partake but also don't want to miss out on team social events.
If you are a manager and your direct report(s) communicated that they will be observing the holy month of Ramadan, here are some tips on how you can be supportive.
☪️ Avoid food-focused meetings and social events. If possible, refrain from scheduling team lunches or happy hours until after Ramadan (after March 30) to be mindful of fasting employees.
☪️ Encourage open communication. Some Muslim employees may feel hesitant to ask for what they need. Encourage them to communicate their needs regarding fasting, prayer schedules, and meeting preferences.
☪️ A simple check-in on workload could go a long way! Ask about how they are feeling with their current workload or if they need adjusted schedules to manage their energy throughout the day. Consider fasting schedules when setting meeting times, especially for employees in different regions.
☪️ Be mindful of personal boundaries. Some Muslim employees may avoid physical contact (e.g., handshakes, hugs), so be mindful of this preference. Always ask if you’re unsure, your thoughtfulness will be much appreciated!
☪️ Camera off option. Keep in mind that some Muslim employees may prefer the option to keep their cameras off during virtual meetings, as they may feel lower energy during fasting hours.
☪️ PTO flexibility. Be flexible with time-off requests for Eid-ul-Fitr, a major Islamic holiday which marks the end of Ramadan, as it may fall on different dates depending on moon sightings.
Feel free to ask for more information on someone’s decision to fast. In general, Muslims are happy to talk about the significance of Ramadan and the fasting observance, so ask for more information if you are interested! Asking a Muslim why they are not fasting, however, may get into health or other personal issues, so please hold off on those questions.
If you have additional questions about Ramadan or how to be a supportive ally of your Muslim employees, feel free to leave a comment. Thanks for reading!
Rawan works in Internal Communications at Square. She's also the chair of Square's global community for employees who are Muslim, and on top of that, she's a seller, too! We're grateful to have her input.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance or advice specific to your business, you should consult with a qualified legal professional.
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