Purpose of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

What is an Employee Resource Group (ERG)?

Employee Resource Groups are voluntary groups employees lead to encourage a more inclusive work environment. Usually, a common characteristic binds the group, be it gender, ethnicity, religion, professional interest, community concern, etc. The central aim of this initiation is to provide a safe space for people and address concerns of personal and professional development by providing support. Besides the group members, sometimes allies join the group intending to support their colleagues. The importance of the ERGs is evident from the number of companies where these groups are prevalent....

Purpose of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

A company can only achieve limited progress if the employees are not wholeheartedly invested in the company and for that, they need to feel heard, valued, secure, and accepted. The purpose of ERGs covers the following,...

Types of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

The Employee Resource Groups are formulated by different people having similar interests coming together. As a result, there are different types of ERGs. Some of the most common ERGs you will usually come across are,...

Why should HR Leaders care about Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)?

1. Increased Employee Satisfaction: The role of HR in any organization is to ensure the well-being of all employees and to make them feel included and heard. This is precisely the exercise promoted by ERGs....

Why should People join an Employee Resource Group (ERG)?

Different reasons necessitate joining ERGs since the advantages accrued from these groups are unlimited. Irrespective of the past experiences and interests of an employee, these groups provide a welcoming space to all. It heightens their sense of community and brings them closer to the organization, all this while addressing the issues that concern them. Some of the key reasons why employees should join an Employee Resource Group include,...

How can you start an Employee Resource Group (ERG) Program at your Company?

1. Survey the Requirements: The first step in the process is to survey and analyze the interest requirements of your company and discuss your idea with the Human Resources manager....

Real-world examples of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

1. Ernst & Young (EY): It is a global organization that has a range of ERG groups catering to the interests of different people. These include the Black Professional Network, Professional Women’s Network, Unity – the EY LGBT+ Network, Latinx Professional Network, etc. They have over 30,000 employees participating in 9 different ERGs....

How can an Employee Resource Group (ERG) Improve Company Culture?

ERGs greatly assist in improving the company culture. They add value to the employee experience and make them feel seen and heard. Together the benefits derived from ERGs prove highly beneficial in adding to the company culture and showcasing it as a welcoming space to new employees. Some of the proven ways in which ERGs contribute to the company culture are,...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do we need ERGs?...