Last Updated on April 4, 2023 by user
Ramadan 2023 is underway and the holy period will last until the 21st of April. During this time, millions of people around the world observe daily introspection, prayer, and fasting in honour of God’s first revelations to Muhammad.
But for observers, life doesn’t simply grind to a halt. We still need to work. Luckily, there are many ways your HR teams can ensure that everyone has a safe and productive month.
As we all know, a thriving culture at work is crucial to your own well-being and productivity, so here are three ways HR can help you stay healthy and productive during Ramadan 2023.
1. Performance Management
Observing Ramadan can sometimes make early starts tricky. The pre-dawn meal, Suhur, and the following dawn prayers disrupt regular sleeping patterns, and it can be challenging to get enough shuteye – especially in the beginning.
These changes to your routine can impact your performance at work.
As sleep and rest are crucial to our health and productivity, HR should ensure they have a solution in place for dynamic days. This process begins with an open dialogue, discussing realistic KPIs and increased flexibility for employees observing Ramadan. It should end with a comprehensive introduction to your company’s Performance Management software – so everyone can take advantage of the self-service tools and assistance on offer.
For genuinely dynamic days, it must be easy to log hours, apply for leave, and show progress on our pre-determined goals.
2. Check your health and insurance
Ramadan is a great time for HR to take a refresher on medical insurance. Fasting can affect observers’ health, so we must be able to access timely preventative and reactive medical care. A quick doctor’s check-up can reveal issues we weren’t aware of, as well as provide valuable peace of mind about our health. Then, if everything is well, we can continue observing without worrying about it!
Modern HR software like Bayzat offers simple solutions for GP bookings and health insurance policies built in.
Bonus tip: check with HR if they have an easily accessible wellness hub with advice and suggestions for modified activities and nutrition.
3. Taking annual leave
Applying for annual leave can be stressful, especially when it’s hard to know when we’ll need it. For one, Ramadan depends on the sighting of the crescent moon over Mecca and so annual leave for the Eid al-Fitr celebration might need adjusting. It didn’t this time, but this is an issue next year. But, perhaps more importantly, we might want to take time off on short notice to focus on prayer or our mental or physical well-being.
And, as we discussed earlier, sleep quality and quantity might vary. Sleep deprivation is neither healthy nor productive for our performance, and sometimes it can take a day of annual leave to sort out the circadian rhythm.
Forward-thinking HR teams should prioritise flexibility here – it’s the best way to maximise both employee productivity and well-being. Applying for annual leave must be simple and stress-free, and the portal should also link to calendars so they update automatically.
Final note
If we follow these steps – and communicate openly with HR – we should all have a safe and productive time during Ramadan 2023. However, don’t forget that HR and line managers are people, too. If they struggle with the workload of implementing these steps, it might be wise to suggest investing in modern HR software with top-end customer support in reserve.
Bayzat’s all-in-one HR solution for payroll, insurance, and employee benefits is both modern and user-friendly, automating time-consuming processes and helping you comply with local regulations.
To learn more about the Bayzat Effect, click here.
Ramadan mubarak!