The advice industry can create a diverse workforce by accommodating Muslim staff during Ramadan, a finance expert has suggested.
The Islamic Finance Council UK’s Omar Shaikh says it is important that independent financial adviser businesses recognise that some of their workers will be fasting this month and that they should be given flexibility to allow them to fulfil their work duties and religious obligations.
The director and board member at UKIFC says: “Advisory firms can help to promote a diverse workforce by accommodating Muslim staff during their holy month.
“Recognising Muslim colleagues are fasting is an important first step. Adjusted sleep patterns and abstaining from food and water during the day can sometimes make staff tired or dehydrated. Often, they will also be visiting the prayer rooms more frequently, so some flexibility and understanding can go a long way.”
Ramadan began earlier this month and involves Muslims fasting from sunrise to sunset for up to 30 days.
One of the ways that IFA companies are helping their workers is by temporarily adapting the working day by offering flexible working hours and the option to work from home.
Open conversations
Managers at St James’s Palace have been encouraged to have open conversations with employees and to allow temporary adjustments to their working day during Islam’s holiest month.
SJP head of responsible business analysis and reporting Sandra Mould says: “Faith and how you practice faith can be very personal. We encourage open conversations between line managers and employees to ensure people’s individual needs are supported throughout Ramadan or any time of year. Line managers are able to agree specific adjustments for Ramadan.
"In the past, examples of this have been working from home or working flexible hours to accommodate fasting. Our HR team can provide additional support and guidance to employees and their line managers as required.”
IFA Scott Gallacher echoed the importance of embracing a flexible approach towards all staff. The chartered financial planner and director at Leicester-based Rowley Turton says: “As an equal opportunities employer, we would be more than willing to make appropriate accommodations.
“We already offer staff flexible working hours to assist with child and other care responsibilities and we would happily accommodate Muslim staff and the fasting day.”
Ramadan is a time when Muslim workers are more likely to pray during their breaks. IFA companies are helping to facilitate this by providing access to prayer rooms and allowing workers to take their breaks during prayer times.
Currently, five SJP offices in the UK have quiet rooms or dedicated multi-faith rooms for employees to use. Some of these spaces were put in place by the business following conversations with employees.
