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Ramadan is more than a month; it is a time of deep spiritual reflection, family connection, and community. For our colleagues across the world, it is one of the most meaningful times of the year. At Maersk, we believe that truly supporting our people means creating an environment where they can honour their faith and values without compromise. This year, we asked our colleagues from the Middle East & Africa to share what that support looks and feels like in practice. Their words speak for themselves.
Flexible hours, shorter meetings, and a slower pace by design
One of the most consistently appreciated adjustments during Ramadan is the reduction of working hours and meeting lengths.
My manager always ensures that we apply the shorter hours while still maintaining the business running smoothly, so that people are more connected with their families and the spiritual side of the holy month. Our meetings are kept shorter than normal with a slimmer agenda.
The team also found creative solutions to the practical realities of the holy month. For Mahmoud Fathy, the heavy pre-Iftar traffic in the UAE was considered when planning team rituals:
Our manager agreed with our team to move our weekly face-to-face meeting to an online format during Ramadan. This small but thoughtful adjustment helps everyone save commuting time and conserve energy while fasting.
This kind of proactive problem-solving where leadership anticipates challenges rather than waiting for colleagues to raise them is a hallmark of Maersk's approach to inclusion.
Leadership that leads with empathy
Time and again, our people highlighted that it wasn't just the policies that made a difference; it was the human touch from their leaders.
A small but meaningful gesture that stood out to me was how managers proactively checked in - not just on deliverables, but on how we were feeling during fasting. Simple acknowledgements like wishing the team a peaceful Ramadan, being mindful of meeting durations, or encouraging us to speak up if we needed flexibility made a big difference. It showed genuine care, not just compliance.
Maersk's leadership fosters a culture of genuine empathy during Ramadan - encouraging when energy levels are highest. My team is incredibly mindful, avoiding late-afternoon meetings to ensure everyone can get home to their families for Iftar on time.
For Hala Tasbehji, the trust placed in the team by leadership was what resonated most:
Their trust in our work and results means a lot, and it's reassuring to know that they're mindful of not adding unnecessary pressure. Despite keeping an eye on us, they've been considerate in scheduling shorter meetings, which allows us to balance our commitments effectively.
Work from home and structural support
Beyond the cultural sensitivity, Maersk backs its values with tangible, structural support. Dedicated prayer rooms, flexible working hours, and work from home arrangements give colleagues the tools they need to thrive.
During Ramadan, the support from my colleagues and leaders at Maersk has been outstanding, particularly in facilitating work-from-home arrangements. This flexibility has allowed me to better manage my workload while fasting and helped me balance professional duties with my personal and spiritual commitments.
From an HR perspective, the commitment is formalised and goes beyond the symbolic. Galina Prokhina, People Partner UAE, explains:
We follow reduced hours during Ramadan, and if employees opt (for operational reasons) to work full time, we provide 4 days of extra leave in recognition of that.
Not just during Ramadan - A year-round culture of balance
What makes Maersk's approach stand out is that the care shown during Ramadan is not an isolated gesture, it is an extension of a broader, year-round people-first culture.
Maersk goes above and beyond not only during Ramadan, but also throughout the year, offering support and flexibility to manage family priorities whenever they arise. It's truly one of the Great Places to Work when it comes to achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Inclusion is most powerful when it is visible to everyone, not just those it directly benefits. Nada Aoun, Head of Integrated Solutions, shares her perspective as an observer and ally:
Even as a non-muslim, I clearly see how Maersk's flexible working hours during Ramadan enable smoother scheduling, balanced energy management, and an overall respectful working cadence across the team. Our leadership team proactively aligned expectations and schedules ahead of Ramadan, ensuring colleagues felt felt supported from the very start. This advance planning is a strong reflection of Maersk's inclusive and people-centric culture.
Nada also notes that business continuity was never compromised, only thoughtfully re-prioritised: the team naturally supported one another by adjusting meetings, managing workloads, and respecting daily rhythms, while ensuring nothing important was missed.
The Iftar that brings us together
Beyond the practical accommodations, Ramadan is also a time for community and Maersk makes space for that too.
One of the most memorable gestures is the team Iftar that brings us together outside of the office. Sharing that moment with colleagues creates a strong sense of community and belonging, and it reflects the company's genuine care for its people.
One of the most meaningful ways Maersk has supported us during Ramadan is by providing daily Iftar meals for employees. This thoughtful gesture allows us to break our fast together as a team, creating a sense of community and togetherness during this special month.
For several years Maersk shares Ramadan packages with us, which is a thoughtful and heartfelt gesture. It reinforced the sense that the company recognises culture and respects our traditions.
People first. Always.
Ramadan at Maersk shows you what a truly inclusive workplace looks like. It is not about grand gestures; it is about the accumulation of small, thoughtful actions: a shorter meeting, a check-in, a prayer room, a team Iftar, a message wishing colleagues a peaceful month.
Together, these moments build a culture where people feel seen, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, not just during Ramadan, but every single day.
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