Change their shift. I don't think if in a batch/shift there are 100 people, all 100 are Muslims. Those who don't have any issue in working at that time, you give them that slot. It also depends on people's mentality and seriousness of how they take religion. I have seen many doctors, people working in sensitive posts, taking religion apart and doing their duty sincerely. Ever seen a doctor in between an operation or an army person on duty taking time off for prayers?
My post is not to hurt any religion or caste. But management really doesn't care about such things, especially companies who are at the mercy of Uncle Sam.
From India, Madras
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
125My post is not to hurt any religion or caste. But management really doesn't care about such things, especially companies who are at the mercy of Uncle Sam.
From India, Madras
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Hello Sushma Reddy,
What your staff is telling is correct— Iftar food is taken only between 7.30 PM and 4.00 AM (in the nights—basically AFTER Sunset and BEFORE Sunrise, i.e.).
This topic was also discussed recently by others— Link below: https://www.citehr.com/421015-availi...ing-hours.html
Since you say that your company is into US staffing, you would be having a 5-day week. Also, I am sure there would be offline work involved (when they don't need to talk to anyone in the US).
Why not ask them to work for some hours on Saturdays/Sundays also in the Ramadan month— to be utilized for all offline work (i.e., IF they REALLY want to say their Prayers)? This would also need a greater amount of planning and coordination between your office and the US-end— but that would be better than losing so many man-days.
All the Best.
Regards, TS
From India, Hyderabad
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
What your staff is telling is correct— Iftar food is taken only between 7.30 PM and 4.00 AM (in the nights—basically AFTER Sunset and BEFORE Sunrise, i.e.).
This topic was also discussed recently by others— Link below: https://www.citehr.com/421015-availi...ing-hours.html
Since you say that your company is into US staffing, you would be having a 5-day week. Also, I am sure there would be offline work involved (when they don't need to talk to anyone in the US).
Why not ask them to work for some hours on Saturdays/Sundays also in the Ramadan month— to be utilized for all offline work (i.e., IF they REALLY want to say their Prayers)? This would also need a greater amount of planning and coordination between your office and the US-end— but that would be better than losing so many man-days.
All the Best.
Regards, TS
From India, Hyderabad
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
I have had many Muslims working in companies, and we never faced any problems. No one organization can provide flexible rules for every religious segment. Then, every month on Amavasya, people will ask for permission to come late and leave early as they will be fasting. There are Muslims who do not observe this fasting, and they are expected to make some payment instead. I had many Muslim friends who used to stay late, have lunch, and make these payments. There are a few who still stay late and fast.
Every religion has its own peculiarities, and organizations cannot create flexible rules for all religions. In my early schooling days, Amavasya used to be a day when schools started at 11 am instead of 9.30 am. This practice has now disappeared. If you want to create flexible rules, then take into consideration the requests that could arise from other religions as well.
T. Sivasankaran
From India, Chennai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Every religion has its own peculiarities, and organizations cannot create flexible rules for all religions. In my early schooling days, Amavasya used to be a day when schools started at 11 am instead of 9.30 am. This practice has now disappeared. If you want to create flexible rules, then take into consideration the requests that could arise from other religions as well.
T. Sivasankaran
From India, Chennai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
My manager, who sits in the US, didn't say a single word about this; he just wants to cover extra working hours. But in reality, Muslims break their fast at around 7 PM. So they want to start at 8. In the morning, they should have their break by 4 AM, so I can't ask them to stay longer and cover their hours. I said the same to my manager; even he doesn't know what to do. He wants me to work on...
From India, Hyderabad
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
From India, Hyderabad
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Sunrise in Mumbai does not happen at 4 am. So wouldn't there be enough time for them to work late and still have time for meals? (Note: I do not know the details of the requirement, which is the reason for my question.)
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
In my opinion, you should adhere to your HR policy, which should be common for people of all religions and faiths.
If you want to give special consideration, then discuss it with your management, as it is a policy matter. I believe that, being at a junior level, you may not have the authority to make decisions.
Once a decision is reached, please communicate it clearly to these employees so that they do not take the management for granted.
Regards,
Sanjeev
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
If you want to give special consideration, then discuss it with your management, as it is a policy matter. I believe that, being at a junior level, you may not have the authority to make decisions.
Once a decision is reached, please communicate it clearly to these employees so that they do not take the management for granted.
Regards,
Sanjeev
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Hello Ms. Sushma, its true that muslim can\'t eat after 03:50 or 04:15 am & before 07:00 or 07:30 Pm. I think they are right... Can you change ur working hours ????
From India, Jaipur
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
From India, Jaipur
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Hi Sushma,
I know this problem exists. If the majority of staff are non-Muslim, you could consider granting some employees leave and adjusting it to their leave entitlement for a few hours in this month. Alternatively, you could agree to these reduced working hours, which employees can make up for by working extra hours during the rest of the year, or even both as needed.
In Mumbai, we do not provide any extra benefits for this period. However, leave can be taken or adjusted as mentioned earlier in some companies.
Regards,
P.S.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
I know this problem exists. If the majority of staff are non-Muslim, you could consider granting some employees leave and adjusting it to their leave entitlement for a few hours in this month. Alternatively, you could agree to these reduced working hours, which employees can make up for by working extra hours during the rest of the year, or even both as needed.
In Mumbai, we do not provide any extra benefits for this period. However, leave can be taken or adjusted as mentioned earlier in some companies.
Regards,
P.S.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Hi Sushma,
It is the month of Ramadan, and all Muslims are very religious towards their religion. They are coming at 8:30 pm, which is okay because they have to break their fast around 7:30 pm. Give them a break of 30 minutes at 3:30 am and tell them they can bring their food and can manage from the cafeteria. You just make arrangements for their prayer, like assigning a room for namaz. After taking a 30-minute break, they can cover their hours.
We do respect all religions, but management won't suffer for it.
Thanks,
Nisha Sharma
nisha4_sharma@yahoo.com
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
It is the month of Ramadan, and all Muslims are very religious towards their religion. They are coming at 8:30 pm, which is okay because they have to break their fast around 7:30 pm. Give them a break of 30 minutes at 3:30 am and tell them they can bring their food and can manage from the cafeteria. You just make arrangements for their prayer, like assigning a room for namaz. After taking a 30-minute break, they can cover their hours.
We do respect all religions, but management won't suffer for it.
Thanks,
Nisha Sharma
nisha4_sharma@yahoo.com
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)Engage with peers to discuss and resolve work and business challenges collaboratively - share and document your knowledge. Our AI-powered platform, features real-time fact-checking, peer reviews, and an extensive historical knowledge base. - Join & Be Part Of Our Community.
Effectively Manage Workplace Diversity.doc
How to Manage Training - A Guide to Design and Delivery for High Performance.[20 03.ISBN08144077 9.zip
How to manage your boss.pdf