By HR Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
ERGs are employee-led, employer-recognized groups within organizations that bring together employees who share a common characteristic (such as race, gender, or sexual orientation) or life experience (such as veteran status or parenthood) in an effort to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and support personal and professional growth.
What do ERGs do?
ERGs create safe spaces within organizations where employees from underrepresented communities and their allies can share experiences, access support, and foster a sense of community. They also give employees a platform to increase organizational awareness of cultural issues via events and other initiatives, and create the conditions for change. ERGs may also offer mentorship and professional and leadership development opportunities.
What are the benefits of ERGs?
ERGs can benefit employees and employers alike. The support and community they offer employees, for example, can be a boon for employers looking to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. The psychological safety they create can empower employees to express, and employers to address, challenges and inequities in the workplace. And career growth opportunities, while an obvious benefit for employees, can also help employers cultivate the next generation of company leadership.
How have ERGs evolved?
ERGs entered the workplace during the civil rights movement, when Xerox, in 1970, formed the first-known ERG, the National Black Employee Caucus. For years they operated without much support from company leadership, but as employers expanded their DEI efforts, they invested in their ERGs, leading to more structured programs led by directors who are compensated for their commitments and contributions.
Can you put ERGs into context?
“The expansion of DE&I efforts and investment in more structured ERG programs in recent years has led to program directors getting their own titles and full-time job descriptions: Many now oversee upwards of 10 ERGs with multiple chapters,” HR Brew reported in September 2022.
