Fasting and productivity

ALTHOUGH there are no official statistics available on the effect of Ramadan fasting on employee productivity, there seems to be a strong link. In order to overcome the problem, experts say private and public sectors should create an effective work environment in the holy month, an environment that enhances productivity and stimulate employees to be active. Al-Riyadh daily investigates. A private sector employee who preferred anonymity blames staying up late and eating fatty food for the low productivity. “Many people do not understand the real meaning of fasting. They think that Ramadan is the month for indulging in all types of sweets and fatty food. This is why we meet in workplaces employees who become aggressive and swear at anyone who insists on getting their work done,” he said, adding that some employees do not show up for work at all and if they do many of them show up late. Another employee who works in the public sector said fasting makes it difficult for one to perform his duties well due to exhaustion. He believes that the change in work hours is one of the reasons why the productivity level is low in Ramadan. Most employees begin their shift at 10 a.m. during Ramadan instead of 8 a.m. in other months. The employee suggested that work begins at 08:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 noon, as waking up early helps an employee be more active and carries out his duties effectively. He called upon the authorities to consider this suggestion, which, in his opinion, will be a solution for sleep disorder, which is very common in Ramadan. Humood Al-Bashan, an employee, said some people tend to be hostile when fasting because they are thirsty or hungry. Hunger can influence their behavior in a negative way and force them to act in an unreasonable way. Al-Bashan suggests that such employees undergo anger management therapy before Ramadan in order to be equipped with the skills they need to control and manage their anger. Abdullah Oraishi, a public sector employee, said fasting should not be used as an excuse or justification by some employees to take it out on others. “Fasting is not the problem; staying up late is. Abstinence from tobacco may also make smokers fly off the handle easily,” he said. Bakheet Al-Ghabash, lawyer and legal consultant, said government agencies must serve citizens and expatriates because it is their responsibility. Failure to do so entitles members of the public who sustain any harm from such delay to file an official complaint before the pertinent administrative court. If a government agency does not perform its duties and such negligence causes harm to any member of the public, legal action can be brought against the agency for its negligence.