Ramadan and US Hours: A Practical Guide for Remote Workers in Egypt

Working US hours during Ramadan is hard but doable. The short version: agree your schedule with your manager before Ramadan starts, plan your sleep, and eat suhoor well.

Step 1: Tell your manager before Ramadan starts

Don't assume your US manager knows how Ramadan changes your day. Send a short, professional message a couple of weeks before:

"Hi [name], Ramadan runs from [start date] to [end date] this year. I'll be fasting from sunrise to sunset. I'd like either (a) a 30-minute break around sunset for iftar, or (b) to start my shift an hour later. I'll still work my full hours. Which works better for you?"

Agreeing it early, in writing, avoids surprises for both of you.

Step 2: Plan your sleep

You can't fast, work a US shift and sleep four hours a night for a month. Pick a schedule and stick to it:

• One long block: sleep through the late morning and early afternoon, wake before your shift, and sleep again after suhoor.
• Two shorter blocks: harder to sustain, but it works for some people.

Step 3: Iftar during the shift

Tell your team exactly when you'll be away ("offline 6:25–6:50pm Cairo") and set your status, rather than just disappearing. Come back, drink water, and finish strong.

Step 4: Suhoor: steady, not heavy

• A heavy suhoor tends to make you crash a couple of hours later.
• Oats, dates, eggs, cheese or yogurt, and plenty of water give steadier energy.
• Spread your water between iftar and suhoor rather than drinking it all at once.

Mistakes to avoid

• Disappearing without warning: silence during US hours damages trust quickly.
• Taking calls when you're exhausted: slow, flat calls hurt your results.
• Skipping suhoor: you'll run out of energy halfway through the shift.

The last ten nights

If you want shorter shifts or days off in the last ten nights, ask early and put it in writing, like the rest of your Ramadan schedule.

Looking for a role with hours that suit you? See the careers, or roles with night shifts.