5 Employee Engagement Ideas for Ramadan Month in Malaysia

Ramadan is a special time for many employees in Malaysia, and it's essential for companies to know how they can keep employees engaged and healthy.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM

Updated on 2024-09-25 at 2:59 AM

Boost Employee Morale and Engagement During Ramadan Month

As Muslims begin observing the month of Ramadan by abstaining from food and drink all day, you’re probably wondering what you can do to ensure employees stay engaged and healthy. By implementing thoughtful Ramadan workplace activities in Malaysia, organisations can boost employee morale, maintain productivity, and show respect for the cultural and religious practices of their Muslim staff.

Ideas to Support Employees During Ramadan in Malaysia

Creating a supportive workplace environment during Ramadan is crucial for fostering employee well-being and engagement. These efforts not only boost morale but also promote a positive workplace culture that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Here's a list of things to consider implementing this holy month your employees will appreciate (while boosting company morale!):

1. Flexible Work Arrangements

Did you know that fasting Muslims wake up as early as 4am for suhoor (a breakfast they take before dawn)?

Abstaining food and drink all day on top of sleep disruption may affect concentration and productivity at work.

This is especially true in the beginning week of Ramadan while people are still adjusting to the new schedule, but there are ways around this.

a. Working from home

The past 2 years have proven that working from home is doable and at times even more productive. Consider offering this option to employees on days they don’t need to physically be in the office.

It also takes battling through Ramadan rush hour traffic out of the equation. Studies showed that employees who worked from home believed that saving time on commuting actually added to their productivity.

Working from home gives employees greater control over their environment and schedule, helping them manage their energy levels throughout the day. Additionally, remote work allows employees to take short breaks to rest or pray as needed without the constraints of a traditional office setting.

b. Flexible working hours

Of course, working from home may not be an option for jobs that require employees to be present on-site. In that case, you can consider offering flexible working hours instead.

Adjusting work hours during Ramadan to accommodate employees' needs is another effective strategy for fostering a supportive work environment. For example, offering the option to start work earlier in the morning and finish earlier in the afternoon allows employees to align their work schedule with their energy peaks and dips.

You can decide on opting for shorter hours or flexible start and end times for the employees.

No matter which approach you end up choosing, be sure to communicate with the employee about what works best for them, and the productivity of the team. To better understand the structure of a flexible workplace, consider taking this short personality quiz—it can provide insights into how your management practices are perceived and areas where you might want to improve.

c. Mindful scheduling of meetings

It helps to be mindful of when and how long you are conducting meetings. We recommend keeping the more challenging discussions earlier in the day while energy is still high.

For most fasting Muslims, energy tends to reach a slump in the later afternoon. If the meeting is taking longer than expected, remember to allow for “microbreaks” in between.

A 1-minute break to move, stretch or meditate can do wonders for mental clarity and productivity. It’s great for all employees too, not just the ones fasting!

2. Ramadan Snack Packs

Simple and small snack packs are a great way to show fasting employees you care!

Your fasting employees will appreciate having something to munch on if they ever end up stuck in traffic on their way to buka puasa.

Food is also a lovely way to connect and learn about other cultures, so if you have the budget, offer these snacks up for other employees to sample!

Here are things you can consider including in your own Ramadan Snack Packs:

• Dates
• Raya cookies
• Snack bars
• Nuts
• Boxed drinks / bottled water

3. Give Back to the Community

“The best charity is the one which is given in Ramadan.” – The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

For many Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is the time to pour efforts into charities.

For companies, on the other hand, it’s an opportunity to organize CSR projects that give back to the community! Find causes and charities to contribute to that reflect your company’s values, culture and nature of business.

This initiative can be part of your Ramadan activities for employees in the workplace, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. It’s a chance to really hone in on the culture that attracted your employees to join your company in the first place. A study by Deloitte on volunteering in 2017 showed that over 70% of respondents believed volunteerism boosted morale and gave them a sense of purpose.

For charity options, KitaJaga.co is great resource for charity campaigns and organizations in Malaysia.

Need help organizing your CSR projects? Consider collaborating with social enterprises like People Systems Consultancy. Check out People Systems Consultancy company profile on Hiredly!

4. Buka Puasa Parties

Buka puasa or iftar sessions are a given. As Malaysians, makan get-togethers are what we do best!

Here’s a tip though – avoid hosting any Buka Puasa Events in the last 10 days of Ramadan. This is because the last 10 days hold a spiritual significance for Muslims as they await Laylatul Qadr, one of the most sacred nights in the Islamic calendar.

Many of your Muslim employees may choose to focus on religious practices in the final days of Ramadan and therefore, might not be available for company events in the evening during this period.

Such events can significantly boost employee morale and are a great way to show appreciation for your Muslim staff. Including these sessions in your idea for engaging employees during Ramadan month will create a memorable and inclusive workplace environment.

5. Festive Decorations

Never underestimate the power of a good festive environment! Festive decorations are standard practice at many offices but if it isn’t at yours, this might be a good time to start.

Decorations can lift spirits and make celebrating employees feel included. They’re also great conversation-starters that make way for employees to learn about different cultures.

And if not for that, a change of environment once in a while will keep things fresh and exciting for everyone at the office.

Here’s a tip, green (a colour most popularly used for Ramadan and Eid celebrations in Malaysia) has been shown in studies to improve persuasion and concentration!

This is an easy yet effective Ramadan workplace activity in Malaysia that shows cultural sensitivity and respect.

Maintaining Employee Productivity During Ramadan Month

Maintaining productivity during Ramadan requires a balanced approach. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Set Clear Priorities: Focus on essential tasks and projects that can be accomplished without overwhelming your team.
• Encourage Regular Breaks: Allow employees to take short breaks to rest and rejuvenate, especially those who are fasting.
• Communicate Effectively: Regularly check in with your team to ensure that everyone is coping well with their workload and fasting schedule.

Implementing these strategies will help sustain productivity while ensuring employee well-being during Ramadan.

Final thoughts

Be open to listening to your employee’s needs and if they don’t bring it up? Reach out to be sure!

Festive seasons are the best opportunity to improve employee engagement and boost morale no matter the celebration.

Take the extra effort to show employees you care and foster an environment that emphasises diversity and inclusivity. 

For those looking to learn more about best employee engagement practices from other exemplary organisations, visit our employer page and speak to one of our consultants today!

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM