What is fasting?

Fasting dates back centuries and can play an important role in many cultures and religions. This tradition often involves intentionally refraining from food or certain food types for a specified period. There are various fasting methods and durations. While most fasts last between 24 and 72 hours, intermittent fasting typically means cycling between fasting and eating, with periods lasting from a few hours to several days at a time. Some fasts involve completely avoiding food and drink, and others may allow limited consumption during specific times.

Reasons people may fast during working hours

People may fast during working hours for various reasons, including religion, health and personal goals. Understanding these motivations can help employers foster inclusivity and accommodate individuals’ needs in the workplace. Below are some common reasons people may fast during working hours.

• Blood sugar control: Fasting can help regulate blood sugar levels, particularly for those with health issues like diabetes.
• Digestive rest: Giving the digestive system a break during fasting periods can allow the body to repair and restore.
• Participating in religious observances: Many belief systems include a call to fast. Fasting from eating and drinking can be part of an individual’s discipline. During a fasting period people can be at work. Some examples of this are Lent observed by some Christian denominations, Ramadan which many people of Muslim faith observe and Yom Kippur observed by some people of the Jewish faith.
• Preparing for a medical procedure: Some medical procedures require people to stop eating or drinking before the procedure. In some cases, the individual might need to limit how much food they intake or cut out certain types of foods in the hours or days leading up to the procedure.

Things to consider for employees who are fasting

Understanding the practice of fasting can help you create an inclusive and supportive workplace. Here are some fasting considerations to be aware of:

• Energy levels and productivity: Fasting can affect some employees’ energy levels during the day, potentially leading to fatigue, quietness or changes in productivity during fasting hours.
• Health issues: Be extra mindful of potential health issues related to fasting, such as dehydration, headaches and overall discomfort. Offering support and flexibility can contribute to employee wellbeing.
• Behavioural changes: Fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can occur during fasting, may contribute to mood swings and irritability. This can further influence employees’ ability to maintain a positive and focused mindset during work hours.
• Cultural sensitivity: Fasting can often coincide with cultural and religious beliefs. Promoting an inclusive environment can encourage your staff to respect diverse practices.
• Communication: Encourage open communication between your management and employees regarding fasting practices to create a safe space where they feel comfortable discussing their needs and concerns.

Ways to support employees during their fast

Accommodating employees during their fast can contribute to their wellbeing, productivity, morale and overall job satisfaction. Here are some ways employers can offer support to employees who are fasting.

Flexible working arrangements

Consider offering flexible working hours to accommodate employees observing fasting. This process may include adjusting start and end times, allowing for breaks during fasting hours, adjusting daily tasks to optimize productivity and providing remote working options. Working from home during fasting periods can allow your employees to create a more comfortable environment, reducing the need for commuting and allowing for a more relaxed fasting experience. You might also consider compressed workweeks, where employees complete their weekly hours in fewer days. This arrangement can allow for extended periods off or shortened working days.

Consider any reduced hours or paid time off requests

Another option is to offer a temporary part-time schedule where you reduce their weekly hours during fasting periods. This arrangement can ensure a manageable workload while accommodating religious observances. You can also implement temporary adjustments to work shifts to accommodate fasting schedules, involving altering start and end times or allowing employees to swap shifts with colleagues. Being flexible with work and break schedules enables employees to manage their fasting routines more effectively. Regularly monitoring your accommodations and being open to adjustments based on employee feedback can ensure that your flexible working arrangements continue to meet the needs of fasting employees.

Offer wellness support

Employers can participate in wellness programs that support fasting employees by addressing potential challenges like fatigue or stress. Workshops or informational sessions can educate all employees about fasting practices, promoting awareness and understanding. You can foster inclusivity by offering designated spaces for rest, supportive leadership communication and cultural sensitivity training. If your premises permits having places for rest outdoors away from smells and the sight of food can provide your employees with the opportunity to take a break and relax without being reminded that they are fasting.

Check-in regularly

Regular check-ins with fasting employees can create a supportive work environment. These check-ins generally foster trust, enable understanding of individual needs and provide ongoing support, helping to adjust workloads, address health concerns and accommodate religious practices. They can help you identify signs of stress early on and allow for timely interventions, contributing to emotional wellbeing and preventing burnout. Ultimately, regular check-ins promote a culture of support, continuous improvement and a positive workplace environment.

In Conclusion

Wellbeing matters and supporting your employees to have their workplace contribute to theirs can be part of your corporate values. As you open communication with them you can show that you care about their wellbeing whatever their reason for fasting. Gaining insights into ways to support their wellbeing, measuring their satisfaction, sense of purpose, happiness and stress levels as they work together can help you organise and plan to better support employees in their daily lives.

The perks of supporting fasting employees extend beyond your team. Embracing diversity and accommodating religious practices as you build your employer brand and think about your management style may help you to transmit your corporate values to employees through example. Building better relationships in teams and supporting team members through their fasting can help create a sensation of being heard and considered. Putting people and their wellbeing at the core of your business decisions could be a step to increasing work happiness with them.