For up to 30 days, this can mean that a significant amount of time spent in the workplace is spent fasting and being close to those who do not abstain from food or drink. This can be an adjustment from a typical working day for Muslims, and workplace experts say it is important for employers and co-workers to adjust their work life to a time of religious observance. “We need to have a workplace where every story matters and where every person has a sense of belonging,” said Nouman Ashraf, an assistant professor at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Numan Ashraf says it is important for people to bring their “full selves” to work, and that includes taking into account experiences such as Ramadan. (CBC)
According to Ashraf, who is himself a Muslim, religious practices such as Ramadan have functional aspects that may require adjustments to aspects of working life, such as planning. Waking up before dawn to eat and waking up later for family reunions to break a fast can change the time. “Pay attention to people’s energy level and ask them, do they need some flexibility in their program?” said Ashraf, who pointed out that some may want to start or finish their work at different times than usual.

Confidence and participation in the workplace is good for business

Human resources experts like Helen Ofosu point out that when employees feel they can be themselves at work, it is good for business. As an Ottawa-based business and business psychologist in Od, Ofosu said this may be reflected in things like avoiding food-related gatherings during the month of Ramadan. The trick is to make sure a team feels they can be open about identities at work. Helen Ofosu is a workplace psychologist who says participating in religious practices such as Ramadan is good for productivity. (Submitted by Helen Ofosu)
“My feeling is that people do not share certain things because they think they can be burdened. So if you create an environment where there is more psychological security, then people do not feel that they will hide their true identity,” he said. Of course.

Take lunch out of lunch and find out

Ofosu suggested that workplaces avoid things such as workday lunches during Ramadan or even small gestures such as setting aside food in the workplace for those who are fasting. If your office makes birthday cakes, make sure someone who is fasting will get a slice of this cake that is on the sidelines for after sunset, basically.

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And if your office is “eating and learning”, just try a “learning” during Ramadan. “From a business point of view, you know, you pay someone 100 percent of their salary. “Wouldn’t you like to make almost 100 percent effort instead of having to devote 20 or 30 percent of your bandwidth to surviving the reality of exclusion?” said Ofousou.

Adjusting schedules and workload is key

Being open-minded during Ramadan and adjusting to work was a reality for Edmonton’s cardiologist, Dr. Nazneem Wahab, for decades of fasting during Ramadan. Her colleagues have known for a long time that she fasts every year and they know that this can change when she can see patients and complete her work. Wahab told The Cost of Living that it adjusts its own schedule and patient appointments to make sure it takes into account its needs during Ramadan. Nazneem Wahab is a cardiologist in Edmonton, who adjusts her work schedule to incorporate Ramadan fasting each year. (Submitted by Nazneem Wahab)
“I want to make sure my attention is still very full and very focused on my patients. I see my patients when I have the best energy. I plan my day accordingly, this way they will have the best of me,” Wahab said. . Even something as basic as how much he speaks loudly during the day is monitored and adapted to work by Dr. Wahab – Finally, when you can not drink water during the day, this can become a concern. “I try to watch it enough so that I do not get too tired doing these things during the day.”

It makes sense when colleagues ask about fasting

For Muslims like Saman Siddiqui, recognition goes a long way. The Georgetown, Ont. The resident used to be a teacher while fasting and the schedules usually can not be adapted to workplaces like an elementary school. Teachers and colleagues who ask questions mean a lot to Siddiqui when she fasts, such as asking if she needs a place to pray if she needs to or asking if she needs time and location to break her fast if she works during her fast. period. . “These things are so, so welcome and so useful to Muslims … that they can really help them worry about something less and let them incorporate their faith into their way of life,” Sindiki said.

Talking about Ramadan is a good idea

According to Ashraf, it is important to address religious practices such as Ramadan in the workplace, as they can and do affect performance. Assuming that religious beliefs should remain private is not always the right move, he said. The discussion of practices such as Ramadan begins with the existence of a pre-existing and existing relationship at work – both between colleagues and between managers and employees. “What we need are our compassionate colleagues, people who are interested in walking a mile in someone else’s shoes … it presupposes that people can bring themselves to work and what happens in their personal lives, as it shows that “Their performance is a fair game to share,” Ashraf said. On the front lines in the workplace, Muslims like Nazneem Wahab said it was not just managers and peers who mentioned the issue.

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“I think it is two-way. An open and inclusive environment is just fundamental everywhere. I also believe that there is an individual responsibility as a Muslim to bring this debate to the table,” Wahab said. This may mean answering the question “not even water ?!” when friends and colleagues ask about what he may or may not have during Ramadan, according to Wahab. Muslims start their fast with a breakfast before sunrise. This is a photo of what people might call a “suhoor”. (Hala Ghonaim / CBC)
“I laugh!… It’s not natural for many other people to be surprised and say, ‘You’re not drinking anything or anything all this time?’ However, Nouman Ashraf of the Rotman School had hints on how to answer questions about Ramadan. “Be respectful. Deal as if he were still a regular colleague as opposed to someone who is incapacitated or about to pass out. This is not true,” Ashraf said. “Don’t be authoritarian with questions. Keep it casual. Keep it normal, you know, fun.” Written and produced by Anis Heydari Find him on Twitter @RadioAnis or email [email protected]