With Ramadan 2022 well underway, many friends, neighbours, colleagues and bosses of Muslims observing the Ramadan fast are wondering how they can support them. Many may consider donating their time or giving a financial contribution to community groups gathering donations or organising activities for people-in-need in Muslim communities, while others may take it upon themselves to check on their friend or colleague and ask about the holy month and what it means for them.
But some employers find it difficult to know what to do to support their staff who are fasting, especially if the employer is not fasting themselves or is not Muslim. Interestingly, a recent survey by MEND, Muslim Engagement & Development, found that the highest-rank priority for Muslims following the fast during Ramadan whilst working is that they're offered "flexible shift patterns," BirminghamLive reports.
MEND said: "The Employment Rights Act 1996 states that every employee has the statutory right to ask to work flexibly after 26 weeks' employment service. It is preferable that pre-agreed arrangements are made between the employer and Muslim employee with regards to flexible shift patterns in the month of Ramadan."
