Middle East employees stay upbeat during Ramadan

dubai - A majority of Mena professionals agree that Ramadan is one of their favourite times of the year

Dedicated to reflection, restraint, generosity and unity, the holy month of Ramadan draws families and friends together to share and reflect - and for professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), the spirit of Ramadan carries from home to the workplace.

According to the new Bayt.com 'Ramadan in the Middle East Workplace' poll, 86.8 per cent of Mena professionals agree that Ramadan is one of their favourite times of the year.

Data for the 2016 poll was collected online from May 17 to May 29. Results are based on a sample of 3,660 respondents. Countries that participated in the poll include the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, Qatar, KSA and Yemen.

In addition, 53.7 per cent of Mena respondents feel they socialise more than usual with colleagues during Ramadan.

In keeping with a heightened morale and a more sociable atmosphere at work, 56.3 per cent of Mena professionals believe there is a noticeable increase in their company's charitable activity during Ramadan.

With a favourable workplace atmosphere during the holy month, responses are fairly evenly split when it comes to taking time off from work. Around 53.7 per cent of respondents say they do not take time off during Ramadan, and 46.3 per cent say they do, at least occasionally. Similarly, 56.9 per cent of respondents travel during the Eid break, while 43.1 per cent do not.

"There are substantial changes in the Mena workplace during the month of Ramadan, and it is important for both employers, employees and job seekers to have a clear view of what to expect during this time. More than three in every five respondents believe their morale is lifted during Ramadan, which is something employers can use to build employee loyalty, engagement and retention," said Suhail Masri, vice-president of employer solutions at Bayt.com. "From their side, job seekers can use the time to network for careers and dedicate extra time to learning."

Ramadan sentiments of illumination and compassion are evident in Mena professionals' personal lives as well; with 96.1 per cent of respondents saying that they use Ramadan to reflect on their life and become a better person, and 94.9 per cent saying they personally give more to charity during the holy month.

Additionally, 81.1 per cent of Mena professionals feel they see more family and friends during Ramadan, and 83.1 per cent believe their lifestyle habits are healthier for the month.

It's evident that Ramadan has many positive effects on the Mena region, lifting people's spirits and enabling their generosity - and these can be seen in many ways in the workplace.

- business@khaleejtimes.com