Is It a Breach of Trust to Work from Home More Than My Employer Allows?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I work for a company that requires me to work remotely for 2 days and in the office for 3 days each week. My work can be done entirely remotely. When I go to the office, I usually sit alone in a cubicle and then go home. Living far from the office, the early mornings, commute, and home responsibilities are burdensome. I want to stay home for more than 2 days, especially when no team members or my manager are in. Would this be allowed? If I skip office days beyond the allowed limit, would that be considered lying or deception?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Skipping office-based work without your manager’s permission would constitute a breach of trust (amana), as outlined in your contract. Even if the rule seems pointless, a Muslim is defined by being truthful and honoring their word. Talk to the manager, explain your situation, and request a formal or informal exception by saying your work is more effectively done remotely.

Employment Contracts

From an Islamic perspective, the relationship between an employee and an employer is based on the principles of trust (amana) and contract (aqd).

In Islam, an employment agreement is a binding contract. Allah says in the Quran: “O you who believe, fulfill [all] contracts.” [Quran 5:1]

Pray to Allah Most High for guidance, ease in your affairs, and a resolution that is both honest and merciful toward your situation.

And Allah knows best

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Related

1. Surfing the Internet and Checking Personal Emails at Work
2. Wasting Time at Work and Personal Use of Its Resources
3. How to Maintain Trustworthiness in Islam?

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Currently, he resides in the UK with his wife and enjoys reading and gardening.