Developing Impactful Employee Resource Groups

Employee resource groups, also known as ERGs, can provide a new avenue for engagement and education for an organization's employees. These groups have historically been designed and crafted to promote inclusivity and create a more diverse and supportive work environment for an organization. From an employer perspective, the development of ERGs can connect people from cross functional groups within the organization, provide a venue for employee engagement, enhance creativity and drive innovation by grouping together diverse perspectives. These groups can also provide access to increased networking growth opportunities within the organization and promote the development of skill and relationship building outside of an employee's typical department.

Let's take a look at some common types of ERGs:

• Women's Networks
• LGBTQIA+ Groups
• American Veterans Groups
• Heritage and Nationality Specific ERGs
• Young Professionals ERGs
• Working Parents ERGs

Leveraging Your Employee Resource Groups

ERGs can provide the framework and space needed for employees with like backgrounds and interests to come together and engage with each other. While many organizations originally leveraged these groups to promote diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, many are seeing the value in having other variations of these resources. According to a recent article from Zipdo, 90% of Fortune 500 companies have ERGs throughout their organization. The same study also found that companies with ERGs in place had a 72% higher retention rate than those who did not, hinting that ERGs may be contributing to an overall reduction in employee churn.

ERGs can also be an outlet and promoter group for your organization's overall mission. Here are some ways to leverage your organization's ERGs to reach your goals:

• Define Leadership Roles: Allowing ERGs to define and develop leadership roles within their groups can provide and allow for growth in leadership development for many that many not have the opportunity to do so within their own departments. This increased sense of responsibility and belonging can increase an employee's sense of pride and value in the larger organization.
• Promote Storytelling: By highlighting stories that come out of the ERGs, the organization can show its support of diversity as an employer. These also brings increased visibility to the group for those who may be looking to join. These communications can allow other employees who are not part of the group to learn or hear about something they may otherwise may have never known about.
• Highlight Opportunities: Many ERGs develop their own mission and goals as to how they can have a great impact in their community. Oftentimes, this can include volunteer and fundraising opportunities that can be promoted to the larger employee population for additional support.
• Showcase Learning and Development: Each ERG has something that makes it unique, and that alone can be a great learning opportunity for those who may be unaware of the group, or their mission. Providing each ERG a space to promote who they are and educate the larger organization on what they do is a great way to promote engagement and involvement with these groups.

The Impact on Employee Experience

Supporting ERGs in an organization can boost the overall morale of employees, in turn, increasing innovation, creativity and productivity while also promoting psychological safety. These things can lead to a more dynamic and equitable workplace culture, significantly impacting an employer's overall image in the marketplace to those who may be seeking new employment, or by those currently employed by the organization. According to a recent article from Everyone Social, in a survey of millennial applicants, 70% of Gen-Z respondents were more likely to apply for a company that had ERGs, and a majority of Gen-Y respondents felt similarly. Across generations, over half indicated that the presence of ERGs in a company also positively affected their decision to stay.

Employees who receive the support they need from a creative and diverse workplace culture are far more likely to go above and beyond for their employer. As your organization looks to enhance your employees' workplace experience, reach out to your AssuredPartners team for more information and support.