Ramadan perks to pep up employees

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The sun is about to set, and Sadiya Hashmi’s mouth is parched after fasting all day. The project she is working on keeps her glued to her workstation. Earlier, she would have been satisfied with some water and few dates and proceeded with her work. However, now Sadiya takes a proper break to end her fast before going back to her job.

“For the last three years, I have not only got proper iftar breaks but my company now frequently arranges iftar parties where even non-Muslim colleagues join us,” says Sadiya, who works with CSC, Noida.
After munching on pakoras at these iftar parties, she attends tarawih which is also held in the office premises.
From breaks for roza iftar and namaz to organising tarawih, companies are giving their employees both the time and space to follow their religious rituals. “Because of work, sometimes employees stay in office even at night. So when it comes to their personal beliefs, even we employers can make some adjustments for their happiness” remarks Naveen Tripathi, CEO and founder, Mercury Communication Design. Naveen readily lets his Muslim employees take breaks for namaz and iftar.
Call it a company’s attempt to keep everyone happy or an employee’s right to religious practices, the fact is that the arrangement has got a smiling nod from everyone.
Juhi Irfan, a software engineer, sees it as a sign of better cultural harmony. “Be it Ramzan, Diwali or Paryusana Parva, an adaptable attitude helps employees understand and respect each other’s culture,” says Juhi.
This doesn’t only make everyone happy but also strengthens the ties between the company and its employees, says Priyanka Goel, director, Silver World Company. “An employee feels connected to the company if his personal needs are recognised,” she adds.
This connection has been keeping Habiba Rasheedi, a marketing manager with a company in East Patel Nagar, smiling all this month. “Usually, I leave for home at around 7 pm. But these days my team leader has been letting me wrap up my work by about an hour in advance so that I can reach home early,” says a rather pleased Habiba.
So during this month of fasting, charity and devotion — much before the iftar siren rings — Habiba is already on her way back to home to be with her family and savour the hot pakoras and other delicacies of iftar.