The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
Organizations are planning how/when to reopen their offices as states are easing restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic. As we enter the hybrid stage (i.e. the phase prior to a vaccine and complete reopening of schools), some employees will return to the office and others will continue to work remotely. This raises complications for many employees, especially caregivers, since several schools, childcare centers, and camps have remained closed. During this time, it’s particularly important for leaders to demonstrate empathy and appreciation for employees, including caregivers, who have been working hard while juggling personal responsibilities. Organizations can help caregivers succeed during this time and reduce their stress in a number of ways:
Survey to Understand Needs. Survey your entire workforce to understand what worked and what didn’t during the pandemic. It should include questions specific to caregiving needs: What was the biggest challenge with managing work and caregiving obligations? Did your supervisor do anything that helped manage work and caregiving obligations? What additional resources would help you manage caregiving needs in the future?
Create a Reason-Neutral Process for Remote Work. We strongly encourage organizations to allow employees to continue working remotely during this hybrid stage on a reason-neutral basis. This shows organizational support for employees during this time of continued uncertainty (lack of childcare/eldercare; vulnerability of elderly relatives; anxiety over getting sick; public transportation exposure, etc.). For caregivers, the ability to work remotely is crucial to maintaining work and personal obligations.
https://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DFA-Action-Steps.jpg596800dfalliancehttps://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DFA-Humanizing-Work-Cultures-scaled.pngdfalliance2020-07-29 07:55:342020-07-29 07:56:23Action Step – Organizational Solutions Around Supporting Caregivers During the Pandemic
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
The Alliance condemns the recent killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. We stand in solidarity with the black community, and we condemn systemic racism and denounce hate. This is the time to raise our voices and ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice are foundations in our society. This is the time for firms and organizations to commit to meaningful change through self-reflection, listening, and learning. More importantly, this is the time to take real action to foster an inclusive environment that supports compassion, unity, and equality.
Take a Hard Look at Your Recruiting Process. According to the NALP 2019 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms, African-American/black attorneys only represent 4.76% of associates. Organizations need to commit resources to hire a more diverse workforce by optimizing the recruitment process. Gather data to understand why diverse and attorneys of color chose your organization (or didn’t) so you can make changes accordingly. Take a hard look at your interview questions. Are they biased? Are you including diverse interviewers and asking interview questions that allow candidates to highlight D&I accomplishments? Recruit from schools with a diverse student body and actively participate in diversity job fairs.
To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more about how your organization can demonstrate its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, schedule a call with Manar Morales today.
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
As states are gradually reopening, organizations are discussing how/when to start bringing their workforce back to the office. This hybrid stage, lasting at least three to six months when organizations begin to reopen, raises complex issues/logistics including D&I and talent considerations. Through our conversations with leading Talent and D&I professionals, we want to share our guidance on this topic:
Engage D&I Professionals. A number of organizations have created task forces to manage the re-entry process. It is important for D&I professionals to be included in these task forces. Without their input, organizations are missing key employee perspectives including health/mental health challenges, individual concerns, and issues of those disproportionately impacted.
Be Mindful of Language. Employees continue to need regular communication from top leadership to cut down on anxiety and uncertainty. Leaders should be mindful of language used. Messages using “return to office” are more compassionate than “return to work” and also recognize employees’ hard work during the pandemic, since many employees have been working harder than ever during this time. Remember, any memos, e-mails and communications will impact employee morale/loyalty and may be sent to the press. Talent and D&I Professionals can offer invaluable advice regarding these communications.
Members can access the complete Action Step in the Member Resource Center. To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more about your organization’s strategy to return to the office during the COVID-19 pandemic,
https://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DFA-Action-Steps.jpg596800dfalliancehttps://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DFA-Humanizing-Work-Cultures-scaled.pngdfalliance2020-05-27 16:52:512020-05-27 16:52:51Action Step – Organizational Guidelines Around Bringing Your Workforce Back to the Office
Action Step – Organizational Solutions Around Supporting Caregivers During the Pandemic
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
Organizations are planning how/when to reopen their offices as states are easing restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic. As we enter the hybrid stage (i.e. the phase prior to a vaccine and complete reopening of schools), some employees will return to the office and others will continue to work remotely. This raises complications for many employees, especially caregivers, since several schools, childcare centers, and camps have remained closed. During this time, it’s particularly important for leaders to demonstrate empathy and appreciation for employees, including caregivers, who have been working hard while juggling personal responsibilities. Organizations can help caregivers succeed during this time and reduce their stress in a number of ways:
Continue Reading in the Member Resource Center
To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity &
Action Step – Fight Racial Injustice By Truly Committing to D&I
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
The Alliance condemns the recent killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. We stand in solidarity with the black community, and we condemn systemic racism and denounce hate. This is the time to raise our voices and ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice are foundations in our society. This is the time for firms and organizations to commit to meaningful change through self-reflection, listening, and learning. More importantly, this is the time to take real action to foster an inclusive environment that supports compassion, unity, and equality.
Continue Reading in the Member Resource Center
To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more about how your organization can demonstrate its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, schedule a call with Manar Morales today.
Action Step – Organizational Guidelines Around Bringing Your Workforce Back to the Office
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
As states are gradually reopening, organizations are discussing how/when to start bringing their workforce back to the office. This hybrid stage, lasting at least three to six months when organizations begin to reopen, raises complex issues/logistics including D&I and talent considerations. Through our conversations with leading Talent and D&I professionals, we want to share our guidance on this topic:
Continue Reading in the Member Resource Center
Members can access the complete Action Step in the Member Resource Center. To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. To learn more about your organization’s strategy to return to the office during the COVID-19 pandemic,