Ramadan is expected to begin on 28th February and end on 30th March in 2025.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The dates of this change every year depending on the cycle of the Moon. Many Muslims observing Ramadan do not eat or drink during the hours of daylight and may increase the frequency of prayers.
Many Muslims increase their usual spiritual practice in Ramadan, whilst other Muslims find Ramadan is a time to connect more with their faith than they do at other times of the year. This is part of each person’s own journey that employers should be sensitive to.
Does everyone fast?
Not everybody fasts during Ramadan – only those who are considered fit and healthy enough choose to fast.
Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, for instance, and those who are ill don’t have to.
How does this affect me as an employer?
Muslim employees will most likely continue to work during this time and therefore may need some temporary accommodations to reduce the impact of this on their work.
In addition to ensuring compliance with Equality Act 2010, preventing discrimination in the workplace, and striving to ensure a fair and diverse work culture, as an employer, you should seek to accommodate an employee’s individual religious needs where possible and treat them consistently with other employees. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) explains that while you are not obliged to give the employee time away from employment if this would be detrimental to the needs of the business, you should see what can be done as an alternative.
What can I do to support Muslim employees during Ramadan?
There are lots of things that you can do to support Muslim employees and colleagues.
Ask Muslim employees how you can support them. Everyone will have a different faith journey and it’s not a ‘one size fits all’. Take this as an opportunity to make meaningful connections.
Whenever possible, provide options for flexible working and time off as a choice for employees during Ramadan.
Fasting will likely impact energy levels, consider allowing more frequent rest breaks.
Be flexible as possible in changing annual leave requests – the Islamic calendar is lunar, and Muslims won’t always know the exact date upon which Eid will fall (as this depends on the sighting of the new moon). This means people may need to request time off at relatively short notice and others may request a range of 2-3 days off to make sure they will be off work at the right time.
Participate in awareness raising of Ramadan and Eid. This is a great way to educate team members and encourage an open and inclusive workplace.
For more information visit:
Ramadan: What is Ramadan? – BBC Newsround
Ramadan in the workplace 101 – What you need to know – BBC Bitesize