When we were coming up in our careers, we wished we had Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to support us as women in the workplace. It would have been another way to build community at work. And now they’re becoming an increasingly important part of company culture.
We’ve seen this firsthand, especially over the last year!
ERGs provide a safe space for underrepresented groups in the workplace. At EvolveMe, we've been partnering with them to help women thrive in the ever-changing workforce. However, the power of ERGs can extend beyond providing a supportive community.
We recently hosted an EvolveMe Executive Roundtable on allyship at work, where HR, ERG, and DEI leaders discussed how ERGs can evolve to be strategic partners in driving inclusion.
The potential is huge. Corporate ERGs could work with company goals to develop talent, provide mentorship, and help everyone advance in their careers. This collaboration would keep employees and leadership accountable and produce tangible results.
But how to unlock this full potential? One idea the Roundtable surfaced is moving away from the volunteer-only model for ERGs. By providing financial support and formalizing ERG roles within companies, corporate leaders would send a clear message that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a priority, fueling greater participation and impact.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of intersectionality within ERGs. People from different backgrounds have unique experiences and needs. While ERGs can be a great space to connect those similar to you, fostering allyship across ERGs and the entire company to learn from each other is crucial for building a deeper understanding and greater collaboration.
By providing financial support and formalizing ERG roles within companies, corporate leaders would send a clear message that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a priority, fueling greater participation and impact.
The bottom line? ERGs have the power to be game-changers. Organizations can build workplaces where everyone thrives by aligning with company goals and focusing on creating a fair and inclusive environment.
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