Availing Permission In Working Hours

Dear Seniors,
Some employees in our company are asking to reduce their working hours, as ramzan month has started. Our office timing's are 10 AM -7 PM, and they are asking to give permission for 1 hr. Does any company providing this to their employees. Can we also provide it.

Hello Rupavathi,
Many companies allow such facilities--BUT not at the cost of work/efficiency.
Usually the work timings for those who want to take 1 hour permission for 'Namaaz' are restructured so that they come a bit early to compensate for the time spent in 'namaaz'.
Since your office starts @ 10.00 AM, you can ask those employees to come @ 8.30/9.00 AM.
However, since the end-time is 7.00 PM, not sure if your employees want to go early too [given that the evening prayers too would be around that time]. In which case, you may have to formulate the Ramzan month's office timing appropriately.
In this context, pl also ensure that non-muslims [who don't need to go for 'namaaz'] don't take advantage of this timing-change.
Going by what you mentioned--'.....asking to reduce their working hours.....', looks like their intent is more to take advantage rather than combining both--work & prayers. You may need to devise ways to handle this aspect--IF it's true.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS

Dear Ruparevathi,
Please do not allow any religious practice to be followed in the organization, as people from different religion will also seek Relaxation for various religious functions and it will be difficult for you to say No.
Keep Religion away from work place.

Dear Mr Winnerhr,
I am sorry but I do not agree with the advice "do not allow any religious practice to be followed in the organisation".
We are hman beings. Any religion gives strength & motivational enery to the people (who follow them). We have seen in most of the work places people keeping the photo of their GOD/Gurus & pray before starting the job. They hold their concious with its strength. What is required that such rituals do not hamper & affect the working & the efficiency of the individual/ organisation. To that extent Mr Tajsateesh has given correct advise be it any religion.

I Rupavathi,
I think saying No directly is not a good practice.
I feel that company should provide an alternative arrangement.
In my company HR has made an arrangement for all muslims employee where they can do their prayer and break their fast. They were allowed to take their break at that time.
Regards,
A Byas

hi rupavathi,
ask them to early to office and leave the office for namaz.
They have to work 8 hours that's enough

I agree with the very first comment provided by TS. Providing permissions for genuine reasons encourages employees. You may maintain seperate records for those who request permission. It is a well known fact that retention of employees is better that finding new ones. People who indulge in unreasonable and excessive permission requests can be restricted and the same may be brought to the notice of all employees in an acceptable manner.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREED UPON.
Good luck,
madhu_ratna