Federal employees asked to schedule breaks around those observing Ramadan

Managers at Ottawa’s IT department are recommending that staff cease taking coffee breaks for a month to show solidarity with its Muslim employees who observe Ramadan

Managers at Ottawa’s IT department are recommending that staff cease taking coffee breaks for a month to show solidarity with its Muslim employees who observe Ramadan, despite the latter representing only a fraction of the staff.

First covered by Blacklock’s Reporter, Shared Services Canada managers issued an email to staff telling them to “Avoid scheduling lunches or informal coffee breaks and chats as this could unintentionally put your Muslim colleagues in an uncomfortable position.”

The email was obtained through Access to Information records and written by then-Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Ray Edwards, who also told staff to “avoid making assumptions.”

“Fasting is done as a way to purify the soul, practice self-discipline and express gratitude for the blessings in life,” reads the email. “As such, it’s important to be respectful of Muslim colleagues who may be fasting during Ramadan and to understand the significance of this observance.”

However, only roughly 100 employees in the department self-identified as Muslim out of the 9,393 total staff, and not all among them observe the religious holiday, which ran from February 28 to March 29 last year.

“For personal reasons, not all Muslims observe Ramadan in the same way, and the level of observance can vary based on personal beliefs, cultural traditions and health considerations,” wrote Edwards, urging that managers “schedule meetings thoughtfully, avoiding early mornings and late afternoons when energy levels may be lower.”

The directive was given in response to a complaint from members of the volunteer group, Muslim Federal Employees.

“The Muslim Network feels they lack the same level of support from the federal public service that was extended to the Ukrainian community during the Ukraine-Russia situation,” reads the minutes Key Points Of The Meeting. “They also feel unsafe expressing their Palestinian identity at work due to fears of retaliation and potential harm.”

Edwards told managers to be “mindful” not to schedule important meetings during “Iftar (the breaking of the fast) or Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) times,” adding that employees must be conscious of their language and actions during Ramadan.

“There are over 100 Muslim employees at Shared Services Canada. The discussion focused on how the department can better support them,” the minutes of a meeting with the Network continued. “They feel their concerns about systemic racism within the department are not being heard or addressed.”

The Muslim Federal Employees Network issued a memo titled “On The Start Of Ramadan 2025” that explained it was a “sacred month,” adding that some Muslim employees felt “overlooked, especially in the current political context, with the rise of anti-Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiments.”

It went on to say that fellow colleagues should be understanding of any “potential energy shifts, especially in the late afternoon; offering flexibility in scheduling where possible, especially for those who may want to adjust their work hours to accommodate prayers or iftar.”