‘REDUCED RAMADAN HOURS CAN BOOST PRODUCTIVITY’

MUSCAT: Shorter working hours during Ramadan can increase productivity, if managers know how to look after fasting staff, a study has found.

Oxford Strategic Consulting (OSC) group’s report states that, “Rather than worry about the negative effects on business, MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) business leaders should instead focus on improving well- being, increasing engagement and embracing flexible work patterns during the holy month.”

With work hours reduced to six for fasting employees and temperatures touching 50 degrees, most people expect productivity to dip significantly during the holy month of Ramadan.

However, experts believe it is more of a psychological or cultural issue and employees must be encouraged to work smarter during the fasting month.

“The lowered timing is the most productive time, as employees do an eight hour job in six and sometimes more if their company demands,” Sheikh Salah Al Mawali, chief executive officer of an SME fund, said.

“Most of the time people feel tired and think that they haven’t been productive. This is shared by nearly everyone, but we have no proof that this actually happens. I have been working in the government sector for such a long time and there has never been a time when I saw this complaint. We have seen that during Ramadan businesses do very well, better than other months at times. This clearly means there is no problem with employee productivity, but with the mindset.”

Al Mawali advised that companies must hold meetings with their employees to set targets during Ramadan and discuss things that can be done to achieve them instead of assuming that the month will be less productive.

According to OSC, employers should use Ramadan to encourage employees to work more hours when and where they will feel comfortable.