Ramadan started yesterday. Logistics employees participating in it are not allowed to eat, drink and smoke between sunrise and sunset for a month. If they do not take holidays during this time, they do have to show up (and perform!) on the shop floor as usual. This is a difficult task, as the time when no eating is allowed in June covers over 18 hours.
It is therefore important that, as an employer, you consider employees who take part in Ramadan. Not only for their well-being, but also for safety in the warehouse, for example. EVO has therefore listed 7 tips for a safe and pleasant working environment during Ramadan. These tips have been compiled by the EVO Council on Occupational Health, the Environment and Hazardous Substances.
- As a manager, be alert to the situation and discuss possible adjustments;
- For shifts, especially at the end of day shifts, put operators participating in Ramadan in positions where there is less chance of mistakes, the consequences of a mistake are less disastrous, or the work is less tiring. Often workers already choose this themselves, but it can only be done if it is negotiable and taken into account;
- Consider mutually swapping shifts with non-fasting employees;
- Consider temporary reduced workload for fasting workers;
- In high-risk activities involving forklifts, it is wise to take into account the loss of concentration and have the person concerned do other work during the 'tired' hours of the day;
- Discuss the possibility of flexible working hours and breaks (within the terms of the Working Hours Act). With lunch break reduction, an employee can also go home earlier;
- Consider setting up a separate break room where no eating or drinking is allowed, so as not to make fasting more difficult.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
Image:Mark Hunter - License: CC
