Employee Resource Groups

Employee resource groups (ERGs), also known as affinity groups, are employee-driven groups focused on a shared and often protected characteristic, life experience or interest. These groups have proliferated, with roughly 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies, along with a growing number of mid-size and small companies, offering ERGs. Lauded for positive business, professional and personal benefits, ERGs have become an asset across all types of work environments.

This article explores the benefits, potential legal pitfalls and considerations specifically for ERGs in unionized workforces and offers practical ways for employers to implement effective ERGs while minimizing associated risks.
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Employee Resource Groups: A Critical Resource for Unionized Workforces
SHRM | Feb 2023

Human resources teams that support employee resource groups (ERGs) gain partners in fostering employee engagement. These groups can also help counter the spike in employee turnover known as the Great Resignation, said Christine Michel Carter, an author and corporate advisor, during a June 12 workshop at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2022 in New Orleans.

"The most innovative HR teams view these groups as a dynamic retention tool," Carter said. "It's ultimately up to the employer to actively monitor employee morale and provide opportunities for advancement, but ERGs are an often-untapped resource."
Employee Resource Groups Create a Sense of Belonging, Foster Engagement
SHRM | Jun 2022

One regularly utilized mechanism for engaging and retaining employees is ERGs. ERGs are networks of employees formed around common interests. In addition to giving employees an opportunity to connect with like-minded people, ERGs can assist management to achieve the company’s business and DEI objectives. Often, the common interest is the retention, development, and advancement of employees from underrepresented groups.
How Companies Can Best Benefit from Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Jackson Lewis | Dec 2022

They are often created around shared characteristics or personal traits like ERGs for women employees, members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ employees, veteran employees and more. In recent years, ERGs have expanded to include interest-based groups like working parents and caregivers, the environmentally conscious and mental health advocates.
How Employee Resource Groups Can be Your Company's Strategic Ally
Baker McKenzie | Mar 2022

What programs establish a culture that encourages acceptance, respect, and a sense of teamwork among a diverse group of workers? Employee resource groups (ERGs) can accomplish exactly that.
Employee Resource Groups at Your Organization: Tips for Getting Started
Paychex | Mar 2022

Leaders should encourage employees to join active ERGs or start new ones. They should provide resources to promote success: a budget, meeting time and space, and access to the company computer network to share information. And they should ensure that ERGs are open to all employees, remain voluntary and align with the company's business objectives.
How To Incorporate Employee Resource Groups In Your Organization
Forbes | Jan 2022

Example ERGs

City of Boston
Emory University
Emporia State University
Experian
Harper College
Johnson & Johnson
Salem State University (including ERG mission statements & objectives)
The Ohio State University
Verizon

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