Ramadan is often associated with a slowdown of operations, due to the condensed working schedule and decrease in effectiveness levels. Yet, this is not necessarily the outcome in every organisation. It is up to pragmatic leadership to ensure that shorter working hours add value to the organisation. Organisations should therefore prioritise improving efficiency and increasing engagement. Embracing such change should be pursued through fostering creativity and innovation:

1. Increasing effectiveness of ‘hours worked’. Working longer hours can actually create long-term complications including employee burn-out, problematic retention and recruitment issues, and a substantial decrease in productivity…obviously.
2. Working more hours does not translate to increased productivity. Most studies indicate that there is a major loss in productivity after eight hours of working. Productivity actually spikes between the second and sixth hour during work. There is a wide misconception perceiving overwork as a sign of commitment. The whole message of ‘you have to put in the hours’ is the mistaken belief that the more hours you work, the more work you get done.
3. Shorter working schedules increase engagement and happiness. Employees personal discretion over their own work schedules improves daily work performance, as well as overall organistional performance. The shorter working hours during Ramadan may lead to more productivity all year round.
4. Embracing the change will cultivate creativity. During this time of the year the change in routine can actually spark innovation and help employees become more creative by formulating new ideas within their own teams.

The business of people is multi-dimensional and we are well-equipped with the capabilities to understand and accommodate different needs. This is not only about sound management, but it also ensures that all our people perform to the best of their abilities. Implementing progressive policies that lead to increased morale, nurturing mutual trust, spiking productivity and building up more effective teams.

In order for companies to make incremental changes, it comes back to having progressive leaders that understand the value of putting employees at the core of everything they do.

In line with our efforts to continuously improve our processes, it is essential to be aware of how productivity directly influences our performance. Therefore, we will increasingly work towards maximising our human capital and talent.

At the end of the day, it is motivated and happier employees that will carry out the Group strategy and make the organisation more successful.