First Lady Fazna Ahmed has reflected on how leaders could be a source of comfort and support to employees and stated that good leaders would help employees ensure work-life balance and embrace flexibilities such as flextime and telecommuting.

The First Lady made these remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the National HR Convention and Expo 2023, on Saturday.

The event was hosted by the Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals (MAHRP).

Noting the importance of work-life balance for mental health, the First Lady spoke on establishing stress-free work settings. She also urged executives and management to regularly assess their employees' physical and mental wellness.

The First Lady also stressed the significance of women in national development. She highlighted that the administration had increased paid maternity and paternity leave, which she said was unpopular with some firms. She advised businesses not to bar women from rising through the ranks regardless of their access to maternity leave and family responsibilities.

She also urged senior HR officials and those in positions of leadership and policymaking to examine methods to provide comfort and support to their staff.

The First Lady noted that that much needed to be done to address workplace challenges and ensure gender equality.

The First Lady also urged the HR conference attendees to consider methods to introduce flexibility and ensure they listen to their employees. She also emphasized the significance of having such conferences and expressed her appreciation to the conference organizers.