How Do Companies Handle Reduced Working Hours During Ramadan?

Request for Reduced Working Hours During Ramadan

Some employees in our company are asking to reduce their working hours as the month of Ramadan has started. Our office timings are 10 AM - 7 PM, and they are requesting permission to leave 1 hour early. Are there any companies that provide this benefit to their employees? Can we also implement this policy?

Thank you.

Regards

Many companies allow such facilities, but not at the cost of work efficiency. Usually, the work timings for those who want to take a 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 at 10:00 AM, you can ask those employees to come at 8:30/9:00 AM. However, since the end time is 7:00 PM, I'm not sure if your employees want to leave early too, given that the evening prayers would be around that time. In that case, you may have to formulate the Ramzan month's office timing appropriately.

In this context, please 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...', it seems like their intent is more to take advantage rather than combining both work and prayers. You may need to devise ways to handle this aspect if it's true.

All the best.

Regards, TS

Please do not allow any religious practices to be followed in the organization, as people from different religions will also seek relaxation for various religious functions, and it will be difficult for you to say no. Keep religion away from the workplace.

I am sorry, but I do not agree with the advice "do not allow any religious practice to be followed in the organization." We are human beings. Any religion gives strength and motivational energy to the people who follow them. We have seen in most workplaces people keeping the photo of their God/Gurus and praying before starting the job. They hold their consciousness with its strength. What is required is that such rituals do not hamper and affect the working and the efficiency of the individual or organization. To that extent, Mr. Tajsateesh has given correct advice, be it any religion.

I believe that directly saying no is not a good practice. Instead, I think the company should provide an alternative arrangement.

In my company, the HR department has set up an arrangement for all Muslim employees where they can perform their prayers and break their fast. They are permitted to take their break during that time.

Regards,
A Byas

Hi rupavathi, ask them to come to the office early and leave for namaz. They still need to complete 8 hours of work, which should be sufficient.

I agree with the very first comment provided by TS. Providing permissions for genuine reasons encourages employees. You may maintain separate records for those who request permission. It is a well-known fact that retaining employees is better than 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.

Disagreeing Respectfully

It is possible to disagree without being disagreed upon.

Good luck,

Regards, madhu_ratna