Advice and guidance for line managers and colleagues at work who may know of a Muslim who is fasting during or outside the month of Ramadan.

1. EMPLOYERS GUIDE
Developed by

2. OVERVIEW WHY
FAST?
What is Ramadan?
What should we know about it as
employers or colleagues?
DAY IN
THE LIFE
STAFF
INSIGHTS
MANAGER
GUIDE

3. What is Ramadan?
9th month of the Islamic calendar
ONE month
of
daily fasting
from Dawn to Sunset
3am 9pm
Ramadan begins and ends
based on moon sighting.
The lunar calendar is 10
days shorter than our
normal year, hence it
changes every year. 3
Every healthy Muslim should fast except those who are:
- traveling long distances
- pregnant women or those in menstruation
- elderly or minor (under the age of
puberty) although they may
participate if they would like to.

4. 4
Fasting from
Food Water Intimate relations
Arguments Swearing
= Clears the mind
and brings focus
What is fasting?
Recommended throughout time, hence fasting exists in many faith communities

5. 5
Reflection
leading to
gratitude
To the One who
created us,
feeds us and
sustains us
What is Islam?

6. 6
A guide
for life from the
One who
knows us best
What’s the Qur’an?
Revealed in
Ramadan to the final
Messenger, Prophet
Muhammad

7. 7
The results will be presented on the Day of Judgement
What’s our purpose?
This life is a test to see who opts to live a good life,
according to the supplied guidance

8. Staff insights

9. 9
A typical weekday
3:00 Wake | Wash | Eat meal before dawn | Pray | Sleep
7:30 Prepare for work
13:30 Afternoon prayer during the lunch break
18:00 Return home from work
19:00 Refresh with a nap | Read the Qur’an | Late
afternoon prayer
21:00 Break fast with an evening meal normally with the family
Pray the evening prayer
22:45 Additional night prayer at mosque praying up to 30 units of
prayer until about midnight

10. Staff insights
Advice
for managers

11. 11
Don’t make assumptions about who in your team may be
observing Ramadan or not
Islam is a faith
that welcomes
people of all
races and
backgrounds.

12. 12
Observing Ramadan may be noticeable (for example not
eating at lunchtime) so make it easy for your team members
to let you know if they are fasting
If you manage a
member of staff who
will be observing
Ramadan, ensure that
you have some one-to-
one time to discuss any
workplace adjustments
that can be considered.

13. 13
Fasting can affect people in different ways
For example, a fasting person may be:
• Quieter than usual
• Slightly tired at times
• Less energetic
but don’t take it personally
Understanding from managers and
colleagues can be really helpful.

14. 14
Workplace adjustments are at the discretion of the line
manager and should not impact negatively on the business
Some employers consider options such as:
• Occasional working from home
where appropriate to the role
and individual circumstances;
• Core hour working where time
can be made up in lieu;
• Provision for paid and unpaid
leave where viable.
When Ramadan falls in the summer months it can be particularly
challenging, as the days are longer and hotter.

15. 15
If members of the team observing Ramadan feel comfortable
doing so, encourage them to share their experiences

16. 16
Colleagues who are fasting will not expect others, who are
not observing Ramadan to do the same
So don’t feel anxious about
making a cup of tea for the
team, or ea9ng your lunch.
However, be sensi9ve by not
con9nually offering them a
piece of cake!

17. Annual leave
You may find that some staff
request up two weeks annual
leave towards the end of
Ramadan to help focus on
and intensify their acts of
worship.
This should be treated as
any other annual leave
request, therefore managers
using their judgment to ensure
that nega9ve impact on the
team and business is mi9gated
against, but should try and
accommodate as fully as
possible.

18. Advice for fasting colleagues

19. 19
Prior to the month of Ramadan, do let your Manager know
you will be fasting and discuss the impact it may have on
your routine or habits.
They can then support
you by considering
reasonable workplace
adjustments. They will
also be able to seek your
guidance on and alert you
to events where food may
be served.

20. 20
Where you can, balance your workday.
Try to organize your day so
meetings and conference calls
happen, where possible, in the
morning when you are at your
most alert, ensuring that your
colleague’s own requirements are
taken into account also.
Try to ensure that you take your
usual allocated breaks throughout
the day, and where possible get
some fresh air at these times.

21. 21
Discuss with your manager how you can make provision for
any additional time for prayer during the working day.

22. 22
Drink lots of water and eat water-rich foods when you are
not fasting to keep hydrated avoiding headaches & tiredness

23. 23
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid ul Fitr
– the festival of “fast-breaking”
On the
morning of
Eid, Muslims
go to the
mosque for
a special Eid
prayer.
This is usually
followed by visits
to families and
friends,
exchanging gifts
and socialising.

24. For further information, please visit
www.discover-islam.co.uk