Observing the holy month

The holy month of Ramadan may have been observed by the faithful for more than 1,400 years, but even among the UAE's largest corporations – some of them world players in their own right – the fasting month and its significance is alive and well today.

While shorter working hours and change of schedules has had no remarkable impact on productivity according to many companies, they are also making concerted efforts to ensure the essence of Ramadan is maintained in the face of increased international exposure and competition.

"It is business as usual at Nakheel," says Manal Shaheen, the Director of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service at the major property developer, which has more than 3,000 employees on its payroll. "We do observe a special Ramadan schedule but it is also a time to work more efficiently within a shorter work day.

"Our employees work together to support each other during this period to ensure that all our work gets done and our colleagues who are fasting are working in the best environment."

Officials at the Ministry of Labour recently announced that the working hours for the private sector would be, as is now traditional, reduced by two hours during Ramadan and that the rule applied to everyone regardless of their religion and whether they were fasting or not. While reiterating that each organisation was allowed to organise its working hours to serve its best interests, it also decreed that employees working the extra hours were to be compensated and that violating firms would face penalties as per the UAE's Labour Law.

Fahad Al Hassawi, the Executive Vice President of HR at telecom company du, says suitable arrangements have been worked out at his company so staff can work on shifts to ensure smooth functioning.

"The reduced working hours has not impacted on productivity in any way," he says. "Since our work force comprises a vast number of nationalities and cultures, we ensure a proper overview is provided to everyone, outlining Ramadan etiquette and behaviour.

"I personally am delighted with the ease with which our expatriate employees have conformed to these and integrated into the functioning of the company," he adds.

According to Housam Raydan from Air Arabia, while things "calm down a bit during this time, it's like any other day when it comes to air traffic".

"In fact, with a lot of people returning from Umrah (a pilgrimage to Mecca), and also from their summer holidays, it's quite a busy time for us," says the spokesperson.

"On a personal level, you do notice the difference – offices are calmer than usual and some people leave early and the staff sit together for an iftaar meal. But for airlines, it's not like other organisations. Your schedule is your schedule and your flights have to still take off."

Emirates says it takes several measures such as making special transport arrangements that include revised timings and additional routes during this month.

"The HR department sends out a worldwide broadcast every year to all employees of the company advising them on rules to be observed during the holy month. A Ramadan guide for ground staff is also produced and distributed," says a spokesperson.

Allison Martin, the Director of HR in the Gulf region for Jumeirah Group says activities and schedules were carefully planned in advance to ensure that the operation of hotels 'maintain that unique service.'

"In fully embracing the local culture during this month, all colleague restaurants across Jumeirah hotels serve and celebrate iftaar, in addition buses are scheduled to take our colleagues to their mosques for the evening prayer," she says.

For many of these corporations, Ramadan is also a good time to reinforce their CSR credentials. "Our Ramadan activities this year are being offered under the theme 'Little Things Matter', reflecting on the small, seemingly insignificant little deeds that make all the difference," says du's Al Hassawi. "Under the umbrella of this theme will fall all our internal, CSR, commercial, corporate and online activities during the month.

"We have also arranged for activities in which our employees can take part and volunteer to bring cheer to the unprivileged and less fortunate, making them feel that they haven't been forgotten, as part of our CSR programme." Nakheel's Shaheen says her company recently launched a dedicated website, ramadan.nakheel.com, to invite employees and others to submit written pledges and upload pictures and video messages. For each pledge made, Nakheel will donate Dh100 to UAE-based charity organisation Bait al Khair and an international charity that works to provide safe drinking water to communities around the globe.

"The aim of the campaign is to foster a spirit of generosity in Ramadan, and also raise awareness of the need for water conservation by engaging the online community in this interactive campaign," she says.

Until yesterday, more than 130,000 people had pledged their support on the website.

Air Arabia's Raydan says the fasting month also helps foster closer bonds between employees. "During the holy season, all the staff sit together and have iftaar in the evening. This provides a platform to interact and as such is a good occasion which adds value to our internal culture behaviour," he says.

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