Overall morale also lifts during holy month
Despite receiving a higher workload during Ramadan, a majority of employees from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) said they feel more productive at work during the holy month.
Findings from Bayt.com's annual Ramadan in the MENA Workplace survey 2023 revealed that 37% of employees receive a higher workload during Ramadan.
Despite this, 80% of the report's 2,390 respondents said they feel more productive during Ramadan, much higher than the eight per cent who said they feel less productive.
Ramadan is regarded as one of the holiest months for Muslims, who observe the period with fasting, prayer, and commemoration. This year it began on March 22 and is set to end on April 20.
Overall morale improving
In addition to feeling more productive, Ramadan is also able to lift overall morale at work, according to 79% of the respondents. They cited the following factors to this change:
- More pious acts (55%)
- More charitable activities and good deeds (18%)
- More focus on career goals (12%)
- More time with family (7%)
The findings come as 86% of the respondents said their employers are carrying out more charitable activities during the holy month.
This emphasis on charity and community during Ramadan can inspire people to be more engaged in philanthropic activities, according to Ola Haddad, Director of Human Resources at Bayt.com.
However, employers should be mindful as the report also found that 87% of respondents said they plan to make more time for finding a job during Ramadan.
"During Ramadan, professionals in the MENA region often adjust their work schedules to accommodate fasting and prayer times, which can lead to a more efficient use of their time," Haddad said in a statement.
Accommodating employees
Aside from carrying out more charitable activities, employers are implementing various adjustments to support Muslim employees during Ramadan.
In the United Arab Emirates, its Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced that ordinary working hours are reduced by two hours during Ramadan.
Employees should also be allowed to take a break to rest or to pray after working five consecutive hours.
Flexible working arrangements and shorter hours are the most cited special adjustments made by employers during Ramadan, according to 59% of Bayt.com's survey. Other adjustments include:
- Maintaining health and safety at work (21%)
- Accommodating employees' religious or spiritual needs (16%)
- Tolerating lower productivity or leniency with deadlines (4%)
