How to Deal with a Fasting Coworker in Ramadan - Muslims spend the month of Ramadan to purify their souls and get closer to God during this holy time.
Muslims
refrain from food during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan. If you
have a Muslim employee, you may be afraid to eat in front of them or say
something that would offend them.
However, you
shouldn't be concerned about offending your coworker because they appreciate it
when their coworkers take an interest in Ramadan.
It's okay to
inquire about something you don't understand. Muslims, on the other hand, enjoy
discussing these matters.
When a
Muslim employee is fasting during Ramadan, it's always appreciated if you
acknowledge it.
Many
inquiries are okay, but some statements and acts are best avoided when a
coworker is fasting.
Here are eleven things you should never say or do to a fasting coworker, introduced by Dr. Job.
1- Do not force a colleague to join you for lunch.
As long as you don't ask your coworker to eat or drink during Ramadan, it's okay to inquire about fasting.
Read also, 10 Tips to Fly Through A Workday In Ramadan
Some Muslims
may also be reluctant to attend a required lunch gathering for the same
reasons. Ask your coworker whether they like lunch meetings to be held at a
different time and suggest rescheduling them.
2- Keep the dialogue focused.
Everyone
enjoys a good joke or two. Even if the motive is good, it's advisable to avoid
these interactions throughout the holy month.
That isn't
because your Ramadan-fasting coworker or friend lost their sense of humor.
One may
enjoy the maximum spiritual and psychological benefits of fasting by keeping a
clear head throughout the month. That means that you should avoid any
unpleasant speech at all costs.
3- If you're a manager, don't automatically assume that a coworker doesn't want accommodations.
While most
fasting employees don't expect any special considerations, talking to a
coworker about their fasting can help lighten the load.
You could,
for example, allow employees who stay through lunch to leave an hour early or
increase the number of work-from-home days available.
4- Do not inquire why a female coworker is not fasting.
Muslim women
do not fast during their periods, and menstrual cycles aren't the best topic of
conversation in the workplace.
Illness and
travel are two more common excuses for Muslims not to observe a day of prayer
and fasting.
Unless they
bring it up voluntarily, it's best not to nudge a coworker who generally fasts
but isn't.
5- During online meetings, put food and drinks away.
Ramadan etiquette
should not be ignored because Zoom is our new best buddy at work.
In the
presence of fasting coworkers, it is advisable to refrain from eating and
drinking.
Make careful to turn off your camera before you take a sip of coffee.
6- It's forbidden to smoke during Ramadan.
Fasting
Muslims aren't the only ones who find the first few days of Ramadan
challenging. It will take even non-Muslim coworkers a few days to get used to
the month's cultural routines, like the smoking break.
Fasting
people are not allowed to smoke.
If you value
the time you spend with your fasting friend, do not smoke in front of them.
7- Don't be scared to ask if you can join them for Iftar.
The month of
Ramadan is traditionally a time for getting together with friends and family.
Friends and family gather for iftars or breaking the fast.
Many Muslim
homes celebrate Eid al-Fitr after the month.
Iftar
is an opportunity to learn more about your colleague's religion. Try to use
Ramadan as a stage for increased understanding and enhancing team dynamics.
8- Don't get drawn into petty arguments.
"ana
sayim" is a frequent Arabic term used throughout the holy month.
When you
fast, you aren't only abstaining from food from sunrise to sunset for a while.
Avoiding
activities and behaviors that aren't spiritually uplifting is the goal.
As a
statement of intent, "I'm fasting" is more of a polite excuse than a
declaration.
People
frequently say this phrase to break the conflict when a discussion gets out of
hand.
That
highlights the necessity of avoiding or preventing starting conflicts or tense
confrontations.
Don't be
offended if you're confronted with an "I'm fasting" response. It's
merely saying, "I'm feeling a little annoyed."
9- Asking if a fasting coworker washed their teeth this morning is rude.
Unpleasant
breath caused by infrequent meals is a drawback of prolonged fasting.
Many Muslim
coworkers may choose to keep their distance or remain silent throughout the
day.
Try not to
call out the stench to them or others behind their backs in a critical manner
if you encounter it when you are engaging with them.
10- Always accept an invitation to Iftar.
When asked whether you'd like to join a friend or coworker for Iftar, an enthusiastic yes should always be your response.
If you're
asked to come over for Iftar, it's not the same as being invited for a nice
lunch.
This desire
to share the sacred moment when your first date is eaten and a glass of water
taken at the end of a fasting day shows how cherished your connection is.
11- "Can't you even drink water?"
It's not disrespectful to ask someone whether they "can't even drink water," but Muslims have probably heard this question before. Muslims fast during daylight hours and collect their drinking water in the hours before sunrise and after sunset.