Rabat – An overwhelming 80% majority of professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region feel more productive during the holy month of Ramadan, indicated a recent survey by leading MENA region job-searching site Bayt.com.
Most respondents said that their companies make “special adjustments” during Ramadan, creating a supportive work environment to help employees feel productive despite the physical demands of fasting, such as dehydration and fatigue.
These adjustments include offering flexible or shorter working hours (59% of respondents), maintaining health and safety at work (21%), accommodating employees’ religious and spiritual needs (16%), and tolerating lower productivity/leniency with deadlines (4%), indicated the survey.
While the majority of MENA professionals feel more productive during Ramadan, 12% said their productivity remains the same. Meanwhile, 8% of respondents said they become less productive.
In addition, 37% of respondents said that the workload increases during Ramadan, whereas 39% said it stays the same. The remaining 25% indicated that their workloads decreased.
The survey noted that 88% of employees in the region are “satisfied” with the support they receive from their management during the holy month. Meanwhile, 5% stayed neutral in this regard and 8% said they were not satisfied with it.
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Director of Human Resources at Bayt.com Ola Haddad said that MENA employees often adjust their work schedules in Ramadan to accommodate fasting and prayer time, “which can lead to a more efficient use of their time.”
The holy month is an opportunity for Muslims to get closer to Allah by doing good deeds and acts of charity, which can “inspire professionals to becomrae more engaged in philanthropic activities,” Haddad added.
Engaging in such activities can have a positive impact on professionals at work during Ramadan, with 79% of respondents saying that the holy month lifts their overall morale at work.
This is due to several changes in their lifestyle, including engaging in more pious acts, such as fasting and praying (55%), doing charity work (18%), focusing on career goals (12%), and having more family time (7%).
