Bayt.com survey reveals the "Ramadan effect'" on the workplace

More than 80 percent of the working population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) believe that Ramadan is a month that lifts morale at work, Bayt.com’s  “Ramadan in the MENA Workplace” poll revealed.

The survey noted that 44.5 percent of those surveyed said employer efficiency is not affected, and 55 percent claim that important decisions and vital meetings are not postponed till the holy month is over. 

Nine out of 10 professionals (86.9 percent) said that the companies they work in have different official working hours during Ramadan when compared to the rest of the year. In terms of impact on performance, 58 percent of professionals said that more working hours throughout the holy month would have a positive impact on their performance. The sentiment is mirrored when it comes to company performance as well, with 42.1 percent agreeing that more working hours will have a positive impact on their company’s performance either, although 41.3 percent “strongly agree” that more working hours would have a positive impact. 

Business is slower in Ramadan, according to 74.7 percent of respondents – 46.4 percent of which strongly believe so. This could be attributed to the fact that 69 percent of professionals claim that colleagues tend to take their holidays during the holy month. Another possible reason for lower productivity according to 81.1 percent of poll respondents could be people staying up late. As a way to increase motivation, 90 percent believe that special bonuses offered to employees in Ramadan will be greatly motivating.

Ramadan is seen as a time when there is a noticeable increase in the number of charitable activities, with 87.8 percent stating that their company is more charitable during the holy month. It is also seen as a time of increased socialization between colleagues, according to 84.7 percent, although more than half (55.4 percent) of respondents claim that employees tend to become short-tempered during Ramadan. However, 25.2 percent of respondents strongly disagree.  

Eight out of 10 (81.9 percent) respondents said that their consumption of goods and services increases during Ramadan – to a large extent, for 50.3 percent. It is considered to be more difficult to find a job during Ramadan, with 44.6 percent stating that it is harder to do so than at any other time of the year. 31.9 percent, however, believe that it is easier. 

“Ramadan is a month of beauty, mercy, and blessings, revolving around doing good deeds and practicing self-restraint,” said Suhail Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com. “It’s also a challenging month, especially for professionals balancing the pressing demands of work and the extra demands of Ramadan; with 43.1 percent of professionals saying that more working hours in Ramadan would have a positive impact on their performance. The trick to staying productive though is simple, and at Bayt.com, we advise that professionals take the time to set goals, in order to achieve their true Ramadan potential. Ultimately, the aim of Ramadan is giving and sharing, and that’s what should reflect in the workplace.”