Friday Facts: Ramadan 2019
Posted on Friday, April 26th, 2019
I thought you might be interested in these Ramadan best practices as it begins next week – or would want to share it with any managers who are exploring accommodations.
When is Ramadan?
The dates of Ramadan change each year. In 2019, Ramadan begins on Sunday May 5. Ramadan lasts for 29-30 days and ends with the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr, June 5, 2019. Eid is traditionally a three-day holiday of celebration, visiting family and friends, and a gift exchange.
Supporting colleagues, clients and students who are observing Ramadan
Out of respect for colleagues who may be observing Ramadan, the following best practices are recommended for an inclusive work environment. If you notice that a colleague or a client may be observing the fast, please be sensitive to what it entails and how it could impact them.
- In general, throughout the year, it is an inclusive practice to allocate a space for people to pray. This might not always be possible as space is a premium in here at AC, but something for us all to try to accommodate.
- Fasting around 17 hours a day – especially on a hot day which we will hopefully have soon – is not easy. The long day of fasting might be more challenging for staff/students attending evening or afternoon classes. Please try to be especially supportive and understanding, as we always are, of the energy levels of our colleagues & clients later in the day.
- You could try, if possible, to schedule meetings in the morning while fasting colleagues and/or clients are relatively fresh; those who are fasting may find it tougher toward the end of the day.
- In general, try to avoid asking a colleague who is fasting to go out for lunch or attend a meeting during lunch where others will be eating. Your colleagues may not mind – as they may be used to other people not observing the fast – but try to be discreet when you are eating nearby a colleague who is fasting.
- This is a time to be mindful with regards to potlucks or the offering of snack foods. If there is food at a meeting/class, you may wish to offer to set some aside to take home to eat later when the sun goes down.
- Try to avoid asking fasting colleagues to commit to evening hours or events whenever possible, as their evenings may be dedicated to prayer, gatherings and eating.
- Ramadan-observing staff may request vacation time toward the end of Ramadan if they are observing intense worship practices. Please try to accommodate them as much as possible – we have days available for religious observance under policy HR 16.
- For those who celebrate Eid, staff may request time off to celebrate as per policy HR 16. Try to accommodate staff if it does not clash with staff contract vacation entitlement. Instructors and facilitators could speak with participants who celebrate Eid, June 5, 2019, to find a way to ensure that they feel supported.
- Please encourage colleagues who wish to talk openly about their practices around Ramadan to do so and to feel comfortable with questions from non-fasting colleagues on how to make them feel supported. If colleagues do not wish to talk about their practices, please respect their wishes as well.
- Please note that just because a colleague may speak Arabic or Farsi, it does not mean that they are Muslim and specifically follow this particular practice or faith.
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