Flexibility in the Workplace, with Manar Morales

Manar Morales is a national thought leader on women’s leadership, diversity, and workplace flexibility. She serves as President and CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance – a think tank dedicated to helping organizations create inclusive cultures that advance diversity and flexibility to attract and retain top talent. Manar is a frequent speaker on workplace flexibility, diversity and inclusion, women’s leadership, and individual strategies for success.

Manar began her career as an employment litigator representing clients in all aspects of labor relations and employment law. She has litigated in federal court, before federal administrative agencies, and in arbitration. In addition, Manar served as an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University where she taught classes in Labor and Employment law and Entrepreneurship.

Manar serves on many Boards and Commissions; she is a Washington Advisory Council member for Commonsense Media, a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women, a liaison to the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, and a Trustee of the Board of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School.

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

• The five myths about flexible work
• How to create a collaborative work culture
• How flexibility in the workplace drives diversity, talent, and productivity
• What can employers do to increase diversity and flexibility
• What must happen to allow flexibility to work
• How work flexibility contributes to burnout

Resources:

• Website: https://dfalliance.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diversity-&-flexibility-alliance/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dfalliance
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfalliance
• Harvard Business Review Article: 5 Myths About Flexible Work

Implementing Flexibility

Manar Morales is a national thought leader on women’s leadership, diversity, and workplace flexibility. She is the CEO and Founder of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. In this episode of the Intentional Greatness® podcast, Manar shares how to properly implement and maintain flexibility in the workplace. She also discusses common myths about work flexibility and ways that flexibility can benefit both employers and employees.

Shattering Myths

Many organizations think that flexibility works theoretically, but are concerned that introducing flexibility at work will ultimately lead to negative outcomes. Manar explains the top five myths that people believe occur from flexible work. These myths are a loss of culture, collaboration, connection, contribution, and control. She shares insights on why these myths are not true, and how she’s seen the opposite occur during the pandemic.

Setting Boundaries

To reap the benefits of a more flexible work environment, some boundaries must be set in place for both employers and employees. While things like casual wardrobe, background distractions, and camera optional meetings may have been acceptable during the pandemic — they will not continue to be as we move forward in a flexible working world. Manar explains how employers can create policies and processes to allow their employees to have flexibility while still maintaining a professional structure.