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Employee Resource Groups

What is an Employee Resource Group (ERG)?

An Employee Resouce Group (ERG) is an internal communities of workers with shared identities and interests gathered to focus on a unified mission.

 

The first official Employee Resource Group (ERG) in the United States, the Xerox National Black Employees Caucus, was created in 1970 as a forum for Black employees to advocate for inclusion and change within the company.

 

Why are Employee Resource Groups important?

We know that that community can only flourish when employees feel safe bringing their whole selves to work. ERGs build high-trust relationships, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire conversation, which brings new ways to look at issues and drive innovation.

 

What are the benefits of Employee Resource Groups?

ERGs are crucial to inclusion at work. They can help advance our DEIB efforts by:

  • Fostering Inclusion: which we define as the extent to which an organization’s systems and people promote a welcoming and fair environment for all employees. ERGs foster inclusion by helping employees feel that they belong and are part of a community, primarily through connections that counter the feelings of being an “only” within an organization. Within the workplace, ERG systems and infrastructure strengthen acceptance, camaraderie, and fairness across groups and help members build allyship.

  • Improving Diversity: The participation of ERG members, for example, in diverse panels and recruiting events, shows potential employees that a welcoming community exists at the organization they are considering joining.

  • Promoting External Impact: ERGs drive social impact. ERGs help improve brand visibility within local communities through volunteer activities that ERGs consider essential.

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What is the time commitment?

Employee resource groups typically meet once or twice a month, depending on their level of engagement. Compass supports employees spending a total of 4 hours a month on ERG activities.

How to Create and Start an ERG

  1. Review our Policy on Employee Resource Groups

  2. Find like-minded colleagues that are looking to build identity-based communities

  3. Define the MISSION of the ERG

  4. Recruit Members

  5. Review and complete the Charter and Bylaws documents

  6. Schedule time to meet with the DEIB Director

ERG Mission Statement Examples

Experian

  • Name of ERG: ASPIRE

  • ERG Mission Statement: ASPIRE’s goal is to grow a supportive community that addresses mental health, advocates for those with disabilities and supports caregivers.

 

Ford

  • Name of ERG: Ford Hispanic Network

  • ERG Mission Statement: Ford’s Hispanic Network Group (FHNG) promotes cultural awareness, community service and diversity within the labor force. Through service and support, FHN strives to be a positive force in the Hispanic community as well as to employ, develop and retain Hispanics in the workforce.

 

Duke Health

  • Name of ERG: Duke Health LGBTQ Alliance

  • ERG Mission Statement: Duke Health LGBTQ Alliance is open to all lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQ+) team members within Duke Health, along with colleagues who would like to show their support. Activities include professional networking, social events and community service.

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If you have any questions, please email:

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Rhett Burden

rburden@compass-sf.org

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