How to support Muslim colleagues and clients during Ramadan

With Ramadan estimated to begin on 18 February, we highlight some ways you could adjust your business routine to support Muslim colleagues and clients who are fasting during the 30-day religious observance.

Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year. During the 30 days, many Muslims observe a fast – this means they don’t eat or drink (including water) during daylight hours. They may also increase their participation in other acts, such as prayer and giving to charity.

For 2026, Ramadan is estimated to begin on the evening of Wednesday 18 February and end with the first day of Eid on either 19 or 20 March, depending on the moon.

Possible side-effects of fasting

Fasts during Ramadan can last up to 15 hours. Because of this, some people experience mild dehydration, which can cause headaches and tiredness.

And if people who are fasting normally drink tea or coffee, they may experience caffeine withdrawal at the start of Ramadan – which can also cause headaches and tiredness.

The timing of meals, at sunset and before sunrise, can disrupt normal sleeping patterns, again leaving people feeling more tired than usual.

Adjusting to Ramadan

All employers are required by the Equality Act 2010 to offer flexible working and provide reasonable adjustments for those wishing to observe Ramadan through fasting, prayers, charitable acts and reflecting on the Quran.

However, it’s important that you don’t assume that your colleagues, or your clients, want to be treated differently because they are fasting. Try to be open about discussing what adjustments, if any, they may need.

Below are some suggestions of adjustments to your regular routine that you may consider:

Annual leave: You may need to try and accommodate annual-leave requests that help colleagues to observe Ramadan.

Be flexible: If requested, and where possible, you could consider allowing for flexible working and adjusting working hours, such as early starts, working through lunch breaks and offering early finishes.

Consider meeting times: Ask your colleagues and clients when they’d prefer to have their meetings. They may prefer to have longer and more involved meetings earlier, rather than later in the day. Avoiding Friday lunchtime meetings can also help people observing Friday prayers at their mosque.

Prayer breaks: If requested and where possible consider allowing for Muslim employees to have breaks for afternoon prayers and offer a multi-faith prayer or quiet space.

Ramadan – the essentials

• Ramadan 2026 is estimated to run from 18 February to 19 March.
• During Ramadan, many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
• ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ is a common greeting that means ‘blessed Ramadan’.
• Suhoor – the meal eaten before dawn to prepare for the daylight fast.
• Iftar – the meal eaten at sunset to break the fast.
• Eid or Eid al fitr is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan.
• ‘Eid Mubarak’ is a common greeting that means means ‘blessed Eid’.

Further information

This Muslim Council of Britain factsheet has information and guidance for Muslims observing Ramadan, for non-Muslims, and for employers with Muslim employees.