For millions of Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a month of reflection, community, and generosity. And for many employees, it's also a period of balancing work with fasting, prayer, and a different daily routine.
But supporting employees observing Ramadan at work doesn't require big policy changes or awkward "special treatment." It's usually the opposite: small, thoughtful adjustments that help employees feel respected, included, and trusted.
In 2026, the first night of Ramadan is begins on February 17, with the end date depending on the sighting of the crescent new moon. That means now is a good time to plan ahead — especially if your workplace has food perks, team events, or rigid meeting schedules.
Here's what to know, and how to support your staff who observe Ramadan in a way that feels natural, inclusive, and genuinely helpful.
What does observing Ramadan mean for employees at work?
During Ramadan, many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours. Employees may also wake up early for a pre-dawn meal (suhoor), and break their fast after sunset with iftar.
At work, this can affect the day in a few common ways:
Energy levels can vary. Some employees may have lower energy or focus in the afternoon, especially early in the month as their body adjusts.
Schedules may shift. Employees may go to bed earlier, wake up earlier, or need flexibility around prayer times.
Food perks may feel different. Free lunch, snack stations, and coffee culture are common workplace perks. But during Ramadan, they can unintentionally highlight who is fasting.
It's a common misconception that employees can't work during Ramadan. Most do. The goal is to create an environment where people can do their best work, without feeling singled out.
How to support employees who observe Ramadan
Supporting employees observing Ramadan is mostly about flexibility, awareness, and avoiding assumptions. Here are a few practical ways to do this.
Offer flexibility in schedules and meetings
If your company can offer flexibility, Ramadan is a great time to lean into it. This might look like:
Scheduling important meetings earlier in the day, when possible
Allowing employees to shift start or end times
Being thoughtful with deadlines (especially during the first week of fasting)
Supporting breaks when employees need them
Be thoughtful about food-centric events
Many workplaces rely on food for bonding: team lunches, happy hours, birthday cakes, catered meetings, and "let's grab coffee" chats.
During Ramadan, it helps to offer inclusive alternatives that don't depend on eating during the day:
Non-food activities like games, learning sessions, and team volunteering
Meal-based events after sunset
Just be sure to make participation optional so no one feels pressured!
Be mindful of everyday interactions and assumptions
Many employees observing Ramadan don't want coworkers to feel awkward around them. People can still eat, drink coffee, and talk about lunch at work. No one needs to apologize.
What can help is avoiding comments (microaggressions) that may feel unintentionally uncomfortable, like:
"I could never do that."
"Not even water?"
"Wait, you can't chew gum?"
Curiosity is normal. But repeated questions — especially "jokes" — can make employees feel othered when they're j
ust trying to get through their day like everyone else.
Support employees beyond traditional work hours
If your company offers food perks, they may only apply during standard work hours, like lunch. But for employees observing Ramadan, lunch isn't the meal they need support with.
That's where flexible perks matter. 24/7 food benefits, like Expensed Meal Credits or $0 delivery fees, reduced service fees, and 5% credit back on pickup orders with DashPass, can support employees outside traditional hours for:
Iftar meals after sunset
Groceries for evening cooking
Late-night snacks
Early morning suhoor options
This kind of flexibility sends a clear message: we're supporting you based on real life, not a one-size-fits-all schedule.
Mark the end of Ramadan with an inclusive group celebration
Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," marks the end of Ramadan. It's a joyful holiday focused on gratitude, charity, and community — making it the perfect opportunity to gather teams for a shared meal.
If you choose to host an Eid lunch, the key is to keep it:
Optional: avoid pressure to attend or "represent"
Inclusive: offer a variety of food and dietary options
Flexible: ensure timing works for different schedules
Foods to consider for a group celebration after Ramadan ends
It’s important to know that there are no required foods for Eid, and traditions vary widely by culture, region, and family.
Instead of trying to get it "perfect," focus on variety and choice of vegetarian and halal selections, like a mix of sweet and savory options, or offering individual meals rather than shared plates.
Support that builds trust year-round
Supporting employees observing Ramadan lies in awareness, flexibility, and respect — especially in the small moments. When leaders plan ahead with intention, employees are more likely to feel safe, included, and engaged at work.
Sign up for DoorDash for Business to support employees beyond traditional work hours, cater office meals and events, send gifts, and more.
