Will Ramadan's shorter working days affect UAE employees' productivity?
During Ramadan, employees in the private sector will work 2 hours less than usual, giving them more time to spend the day with their loved ones. While employees will have two hours less to cram an entire day's work, HR experts say Ramadan will act as a reset, with workers becoming more deliberate about how they structure their workday.The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has, in previous years, introduced reduced working hours and flexible work patterns for both the public and private sectors to help alleviate fasting. HR leaders say that while the first few days can be taxing, reduced work hours during Ramadan can make employees work more efficiently, deliberately, and with more intention.Readjustment periodThe first few days of fasting in Ramadan can be challenging, Ussama Khan, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the London Business School, said. People will have to adjust to new sleep schedules, since the norm during Ramadan is waking up for Suhoor, a meal taken before fast begins at dawn. They also have to adjust to altered meal timings and prolonged fasting, which might temporarily affect concentration and energy.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Ussama Khan. Photo: Supplied bLondon Business School “The first four to five days of Ramadan are often the most difficult, as the body adjusts to new eating, hydration, and sleep patterns. Once this adjustment phase passes, many people report a more stable and sustained level of energy throughout the day,” he said.However, without supportive workplace policies, such a flexibility or understanding from the manager, this “adjustment period” can feel demanding, Khan added. Nonetheless, he said that Ramadan is a month where many people “reset” by reorganising tasks, cutting non-essential activities, and focusing on higher-impact work.No brain changeHe drew comparisons with how evidence suggests that athletes who fast during Ramadan don’t necessarily see a huge difference in their performance. Studies on intermittent fasting (alternating between eating and fasting) show that the brain functions as normal and is, at times, even more alert.According to research published by the American Psychological Association, there is no evidence to suggest that fasting limits cognitive function or mental performance. Another study published by the National Library of Medicine states that fasting periods without caloric or nutritional changes can have a positive effect on the brain.“While we lack definitive productivity metrics at scale, the qualitative evidence suggests that reduced hours during Ramadan do not necessarily lead to reduced output and may, for some people, enhance focus and effectiveness,” Khan said.White-collar vs blue-collar jobsProductivity levels between office workers and manual workers differ significantly, Khan said. “In white-collar or knowledge-based roles, productivity depends heavily on focus, attention, and cognitive energy,” he said, adding that in these areas, reduced working hours can be beneficial.On the flip side, manual labour focuses more on physical stamina. “Professional athletes typically have access to extensive support systems (like) nutritionists, physiotherapists, and recovery resources. Manual workers do not. Many manual labourers also come from lower-income backgrounds, which can further limit access to optimal nutrition and recovery,” he commented.This, he added, makes it especially important that employers factor in inclusive policies during Ramadan. Examples include longer rest breaks, adjusted schedules, and rearranging the timings of doing physically demanding work to cooler parts of the day.People and Culture Director at LINKVIVA, Jessie Quintilla, echoed the sentiment that reduced work hours give people more room to reset. “Engagement rises when we pair reduced hours with smarter ways of working: protect focus time, keep meetings tight, and measure output by outcomes, not by who stayed online the longest,” she said.Moreover, shorter working days may also reduce the risk of burning out, since more time can be dedicated away from the office and with family and friends. Quintilla added that when the reduced work hours system is done well, it forces better planning, stronger collaboration, and healthier boundaries for everyone in an organisation, fasting or not.“Reduced hours aren’t just a legal requirement. They’re a practical way to protect wellbeing and safety, strengthen social cohesion in the UAE’s beautifully diverse workforce, and keep productivity sustainable,” the HR leader added.UAE: Changes in your body likely after Ramadan; how to regain energy, prevent muscle lossRamadan in UAE: How to get your body ready for month of fastingUAE: Got 'Ramadan brain'? Experts explain how to overcome fatigue, lack of focus
During Ramadan, employees in the private sector will work 2 hours less than usual, giving them more time to spend the day with their loved ones. While employees will have two hours less to cram an entire day's work, HR experts say Ramadan will act as a reset, with workers becoming more deliberate about how they structure their workday.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has, in previous years, introduced reduced working hours and flexible work patterns for both the public and private sectors to help alleviate fasting. HR leaders say that while the first few days can be taxing, reduced work hours during Ramadan can make employees work more efficiently, deliberately, and with more intention.
Readjustment period
The first few days of fasting in Ramadan can be challenging, Ussama Khan, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the London Business School, said. People will have to adjust to new sleep schedules, since the norm during Ramadan is waking up for Suhoor, a meal taken before fast begins at dawn. They also have to adjust to altered meal timings and prolonged fasting, which might temporarily affect concentration and energy.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Ussama Khan. Photo: Supplied bLondon Business School 
“The first four to five days of Ramadan are often the most difficult, as the body adjusts to new eating, hydration, and sleep patterns. Once this adjustment phase passes, many people report a more stable and sustained level of energy throughout the day,” he said.
However, without supportive workplace policies, such a flexibility or understanding from the manager, this “adjustment period” can feel demanding, Khan added. Nonetheless, he said that Ramadan is a month where many people “reset” by reorganising tasks, cutting non-essential activities, and focusing on higher-impact work.
No brain change
He drew comparisons with how evidence suggests that athletes who fast during Ramadan don’t necessarily see a huge difference in their performance. Studies on intermittent fasting (alternating between eating and fasting) show that the brain functions as normal and is, at times, even more alert.
According to research published by the American Psychological Association, there is no evidence to suggest that fasting limits cognitive function or mental performance. Another study published by the National Library of Medicine states that fasting periods without caloric or nutritional changes can have a positive effect on the brain.
“While we lack definitive productivity metrics at scale, the qualitative evidence suggests that reduced hours during Ramadan do not necessarily lead to reduced output and may, for some people, enhance focus and effectiveness,” Khan said.
White-collar vs blue-collar jobs
Productivity levels between office workers and manual workers differ significantly, Khan said. “In white-collar or knowledge-based roles, productivity depends heavily on focus, attention, and cognitive energy,” he said, adding that in these areas, reduced working hours can be beneficial.
On the flip side, manual labour focuses more on physical stamina. “Professional athletes typically have access to extensive support systems (like) nutritionists, physiotherapists, and recovery resources. Manual workers do not. Many manual labourers also come from lower-income backgrounds, which can further limit access to optimal nutrition and recovery,” he commented.
This, he added, makes it especially important that employers factor in inclusive policies during Ramadan. Examples include longer rest breaks, adjusted schedules, and rearranging the timings of doing physically demanding work to cooler parts of the day.
People and Culture Director at LINKVIVA, Jessie Quintilla, echoed the sentiment that reduced work hours give people more room to reset. “Engagement rises when we pair reduced hours with smarter ways of working: protect focus time, keep meetings tight, and measure output by outcomes, not by who stayed online the longest,” she said.
Moreover, shorter working days may also reduce the risk of burning out, since more time can be dedicated away from the office and with family and friends. Quintilla added that when the reduced work hours system is done well, it forces better planning, stronger collaboration, and healthier boundaries for everyone in an organisation, fasting or not.
“Reduced hours aren’t just a legal requirement. They’re a practical way to protect wellbeing and safety, strengthen social cohesion in the UAE’s beautifully diverse workforce, and keep productivity sustainable,” the HR leader added.
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