Ramadan, fasting and our factory

I've written before about how we've decided together not to work full days on empty tummies through Ramadan. With needles and knives around, it's the right thing to do.

As Ramadan has progressed, I've been talking to the team about how it is for them. I've learned loads about the what, why and how - a lot of it's personal so I won't share - but I was surprised to find that it wasn't the burden I was expecting. In many case, it was quite the reverse.

I've been reading about Ramadan to and this article from the Guardian struck me as it rang true about our productivity. We work half days through Ramadan and we don't get those lost hours back anywhere n the year. This has the knock on effect that we're thinking of amending people's pay packets and contracts (as well as to allow some of the holidays that our team want and need) so that they get the same money every month through the year rather than a half in Ramadan.

That article also looks at health issues. In our hot building where the windows don't open and the aircon units cool but dry the air, I feel a lively responsibility for people's wellbeing and am checking in often to make sure people are ok. I've been given some very indulgent glances as I know I'm being a bit of a clucky mother hen but I'm wearing a vest top and 3/4 length trousers and I'm hot and thirsty so I can't help but feel concern for my colleagues.

If you're fasting what do you do to manage your work in Ramadan? We're learnng all the time so we'd love to know!

Next year Ramadan starts in early June and lasts for 30 days until early July - again it will be over the solstice and into the heat of summer. The year after it will run from approximately the 27th May to the 25th June, again over the longest day, and then in 2018 it will run from the 16th May to the 14th June. By 2020, Ramadan will be spanning April and May and so should be easier.

Ramadan this year finishes on the 17th July - a week from today. Eid is a big time for the team and they're looking forward to it. And we're looking forward to our lunches being loud and lovely again. Bring on the pink puddings!