Supporting Colleagues During Ramadan

At Drummond Miller, our values are centred around respect, integrity and people. Creating an inclusive and supportive workplace is not just something we speak about it is something that I have experienced personally.

Before Ramadan, our HR team sent a thoughtful email to all staff acknowledging the significance of the month for Muslim colleagues and clients. The email explained that Ramadan is a holy month observed by Muslims around the world, marked by fasting from dawn until sunset, prayer, reflection, charity and community. It also encourages colleagues to be mindful of energy levels, flexible with meeting times, and being respectful to those who may be observing.

Receiving that communication made a real difference to me. It reflected our firm’s commitment to understanding and respecting the religious practices of those we work with. Just as importantly, it gave me the confidence to start a conversation about what support might look like in practice.

I work as a receptionist therefore fasting throughout the day can be physically and mentally demanding, particularly later in the afternoon. One of the most important moments of the day is breaking my fast at sunset with my family. This is a time of togetherness and reflection that means a great deal to me. After receiving the email, I reached out to ask whether it might be possible to finish earlier during Ramadan. My managers were incredibly kind and understanding. They took the time to listen and arranged cover for reception. My colleagues have kindly stepped in and ensured everything continued to run smoothly in my absence. 

Although this was a small adjustment, it had a significant impact. Being able to travel home and break my fast with my family, this has allowed me to fully observe Ramadan in a way that felt meaningful while continuing to meet my responsibilities at work.

To me, this experience reflects the values of Drummond Miller LLP, treating people with respect, showing flexibility where possible, and recognising that supporting our colleagues enables us all to perform at our best. 

I am proud to work for a firm who thrives to create an inclusive environment for all members of staff and clients. I would like to end this by saying a sincere thank you to my managers and colleagues for their understanding and support during Ramadan!