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Promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging for our Muslim colleagues during Ramadan
For over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is a month-long period of religious observance, involving fasting from sunrise to sunset and focusing on prayer and faith. This year, Ramadan concludes on Friday, April 21st, culminating in the Eid al-Fitr celebration.
With a global workforce of over 8,500 people from 60+ unique nationalities, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values and celebrates diversity. We proudly support our Muslim colleagues during Ramadan, and as part of our diversity and inclusion measures, we listen to our employees, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and belonging. Embracing equality, diversity, and inclusion leads to increased employee satisfaction and productivity and fosters new ways of thinking and operating, thanks to our multicultural workforce’s diverse experiences and viewpoints.
We recently spoke with Yavuz Ordu, an EHS Manager at Mercury working on a complex data centre project in Istanbul, Turkey, about his experience working during Ramadan:
What does Ramadan involve for you?
„According to our religion, Ramadan is a duty for all Muslims. It originates from attempting to put ourselves in the shoes of those who are less fortunate where we observe a strict daily fast from sunrise to sunset, practicing self-restraint. We start our fasting before sunrise here in Istanbul, so before 4.30am, and don’t eat or drink again until 7.30pm which means we are fasting for 15 hours.“
What are the benefits and challenges of observing Ramadan?
„Not being able to drink coffee is definitely the biggest challenge when you are fasting for so long! You are often tired which means it can be hard to concentrate at times. However, I’m fortunate to have very understanding and helpful colleagues which is a massive help. It can certainly be challenging at times, but I am dealing with it and you get used to it. The main positives for me personally are that I have experienced a lot less anxiety and stress while doing Ramadan. I noticed that I am a lot less angry at things that would have frustrated me previously. The fast has allowed me to become calmer in my day-to-day life.“
How has Mercury supported you and your fellow Muslim colleagues during Ramadan?
„Mercury has donated a traditional gift-box to all employees on this project, which I found very considerate and helpful. The box is traditionally gifted from the rich to the poor during Ramadan and includes supplies such as rice, pasta, beans, tea, lots of essential basic food items that everyone uses at the end of each day when we have completed fasting. It means a lot to know that you are supported, my colleagues are also very helpful and considerate.“
What is a typical workday like for you during Ramadan?
„I wake up before sunrise at 4.30 and have something to eat and drink. I am always very thirsty from the long fast the day before. I then go back to sleep until around 6.30 am when I get up to begin my day. Work starts around 8.30am, most days on site are very busy and my role involves various elements of ensuring that the project is operating safely. I find that during the day I can be tired, but I have gotten used to it. I finish work by 5.00pm most evenings and I usually get home before 7.00pm, we break our fast after the sun sets at 7.30pm. In the evenings, I come together with my family to eat and reflect on our days and the journey of Ramadan.“
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
At Mercury, our drive towards diversity & inclusion is one of the key driving factors behind our winning culture.
We have put in place a Diversity & Inclusion Policy that is driven by our Executive Management Team. Diversity & Inclusion is woven into the fabric of the vision and values of Mercury, not only through our culture, but through the entire life cycle of the employee experience.
