What Is Fasting?
Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food or drink (or both) for a specific period. It is most often done due to spiritual, religious or health reasons. Fasting is a common practice in several faiths and cultures around the globe.
Apart from religious or spiritual reasons, many people also practice periodic fasting for health reasons. When done safely and in moderation, intermittent fasting may have certain health benefits such as improved blood sugar control and relief from digestive disorders. Fasting is also sometimes required to prepare your body for certain medical procedures.
Depending on the duration of the fast and the types of items you are permitted to consume, fasting can take many forms. They include:
- Water fasting: consuming only water while abstaining from all other solid foods and beverages for up to 72 hours.
- Partial fasting: abstaining from certain substances like meat, animal products or dairy products.
- Dry fasting: abstaining from all food and water for a specific time period, which can range from a few hours to several days.
Common Reasons For Employees To Fast During Work Hours
Fasting during work hours is often unavoidable, as a typical fast can last for at least 12 hours. There are several reasons why employees may opt to engage in fasting in the workplace:
- Religious observance: this is one of the most common and visible reasons for fasting during work hours. Ramadan fasting is the best example of this type of abstinence from food or drink during the daytime. Other notable examples include Navaratri fasting among Hindus and Lenten fasting among Christians.
- Health reasons: some individuals may also observe various forms of fasting for health or wellness reasons. Intermittent fasting is a tactic used to manage certain chronic diseases like diabetes.
- Medical procedures: doctors may recommend some form of fasting or dietary restrictions to prepare the body for certain diagnostic procedures and surgeries. Employees awaiting such medical procedures may have to abstain from food or water in the days or hours leading up to the procedure.
What Employers Should Know About Fasting
Fasting practices can have a major impact on your workplace in several ways. Here are some reasons why you should take it into account while formulating policies and decisions:
Employee health and safety
Total abstinence from food and beverages can increase risk for certain employees. Be sure to check in with those who perform physically demanding tasks to offer accommodations where needed.
When you are forced to go without food or drink for many hours, it can take a toll on your energy levels. This is particularly relevant in the case of Ramadan – as the workday nears its end, fasting employees typically feel the effects more strongly, having gone without food or drink for a number of hours.
Employee morale and productivity
Fasting at work can impact business and teams. Skipping food and drinks, can result in lower energy and quieter demeanour. Without awareness of team members fasting, one might mistake these changes for a general morale issue. Hence, it is crucial to recognise fasting practices within the team to accurately understand and address any potential effects on productivity and team dynamics.
For example: Certain behaviours, like eating food or drinking beverages in front of a fasting colleague, can make them feel left out.
Heavy workloads and demands can also cause additional stress in these times. Together, these factors can obstruct your attempts in creating a positive company culture.
Employee availability
Employees engaged in day-long fasts may require additional break time for rest. Religious observances like Ramadan and Navaratri also have a social context – it is the time for social interaction between family members and friends through events such as iftar dinner and evening prayers.
These social demands may directly conflict with office hours or work schedules. Fasting employees may find it hard to balance their work commitment with their religious practices and social activities.
While you should follow time-off approval policies consistently across your organisation, consider allowing people to use their PTO days if desired to take time off during major fasting times. In religious contexts, fasting days are often tied to celebrations or times of worship. For instance, the festival of Eid is followed by Ramadan, and Navaratri precedes Dussehra. Individuals may want to take time off to plan, organise or participate in these celebrations.
Five Things You Can Do To Support Fasting Employees
Diverse and inclusive workforces are important for business. And a lack of sensitivity towards practices like fasting can affect your ability to create an inclusive workplace. As an employer/senior HR leader, there are many things you can do to support fasting employees:
Encourage open communication
Fasting can be a sensitive subject, particularly in a diverse country like India. Ideally, you may want to know which employees are fasting, so that you can provide them the necessary support. But there is a possibility that not everyone is comfortable with the idea of sharing their religious beliefs, health issues, or dietary practices.
Some may even prefer not to receive any preferential treatment during fasts. The best thing an employer can do under such circumstances is to promote psychological safety – create an open environment where your employees feel confident enough to approach management if they have any special needs or requests.
Provide flexible work hours
Employees across various industries often favour flexible scheduling as it facilitates a healthy work-life balance, a benefit that becomes especially valuable during fasting periods.
Fasting employees may need time off for prayers or rest during office hours. Since day-long dry fasting can alter energy levels, it is a good idea to encourage employees to take frequent breaks. You can also try to avoid sending them out on field work and other physically demanding activities.
Most instances of religious fasting have certain accompanying rituals and social events. Aartis during Navaratri and Iftar feasts during Ramadan are notable examples. Long commutes can make it harder for tired employees to get back home in time for these social commitments. Flexible hours will allow such employees to start work early and leave the office in time without affecting productivity.
Another option worth considering is hybrid work arrangements for the duration of the fasting period.
Provide separate break locations
Since common break rooms are frequently used for meals and snacks, employees may not be comfortable using them during their fasts. It can be rather hard to relax when you are within sight of others eating. The aroma of food can cause additional stress. Consider creating a separate break room in your workplace where food items are not allowed.
This can even be a permanent fixture in the office outside fasting days. People might prefer quiet rooms. A designated reading or meditation area with a pleasant ambience can be a valuable addition to your workplace appreciated by all employees, regardless of whether they are fasting or not.
Exercise caution in matters related to food
If you have a canteen or cafeteria on the premises, ensure that dietary restrictions of specific religions are respected during special occasions. For instance, Hindus avoid all meat, onions, and garlic for nine days during Navaratri.
Likewise, consider making special arrangements to include fasting employees during events like team luncheons. You can consider re-scheduling meals to after sundown, or offer fasting employees the takeaway option so that they can enjoy the food after their fast.
Raise awareness in the workplace
Many managers and colleagues may be unaware of the challenges faced by employees during fasting. Providing focused sensitivity training as part of your DEIB+ workplace policy can help to avoid the following common mistakes:
- Eating and drinking in front of fasting colleagues.
- Offering food or drinks to fasting employees.
- Scheduling important meetings in the evening, when fasting employees may be fatigued.
- Refusing to adjust work hours to accommodate prayer or rest.
- Forcing fatigued employees to handle potentially dangerous work.
Conclusion
Fasting is a common practice for health and religious reasons. It is integral to the beliefs and identity of certain cultural and religious groups. As an employer, it is essential to respect these beliefs to create an inclusive workplace environment. By prioritising open communication, offering flexible work hours, and implementing simple accommodations, you can ensure the safety and well-being of fasting employees without significantly impacting workplace productivity or morale.
