What are Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)?

Employee resource groups (ERGs) are employee-led groups designed to foster inclusivity and a positive workplace environment. These groups are created by and for employees and are voluntary. One of the first employee resource groups formed in the ’70s at Xerox. It arose in response to the racial tensions of the ’60s and was known as the National Black Employee Caucus.

ERGs can be a channel for seeking support, lobbying for meaningful change and creating a workplace that makes employees feel welcome and valued by their colleagues. 

The purpose of an employee resource group

ERGs can create inclusive, progressive workspaces. According to an executive brief produced by Boston College Center for Work & Family, “The ERGs with the most traction and interest tend to be those ERGs that are closely linked to business strategy. When employees perceive their efforts as directly impacting business outcomes, they are more likely to get involved.”

ERGs set their own agendas and work to inform the company of their mission and goals. ERGs frequently conduct meetings, host activities, recruit members and advocate for change.

By creating or joining an ERG, employees might:

• Provide professional development focused on their specific needs
• Have an organized forum for questions and concerns
• Have specific delegates speak to management on behalf of the employees
• Create a safe space for minority groups and others in the workplace

Business management also might use ERGs to further company goals and initiatives. In fact, companies that demonstrate genuine care to their employees tend to have higher retention rates, showcasing the potential benefit of these groups. 

Benefits of an ERG

Creating an employee resource group can produce many benefits, including:

• Mentorship and networking opportunities
• Leadership and professional development
• Increased employee engagement and retention
• A culture of inclusion and diversity
• Strengthened ties with the community
• Increased feelings of inclusivity and quality
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Improved professional motivation and development

ERGs can also be beneficial to upper management. In a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, around 70% of respondents relied on their ERGs to build a workforce that reflected customer demographics. This can help businesses market to certain populations more effectively, as well as personally understand the pain points of their client base.

Additionally, these groups can provide critical feedback on the needs of specific demographics of their own workforce, such as working parents, employees of color and LGBTQ+ employees.

Limitations of an ERG

ERGs can be a great catalyst for meaningful change in the workplace. However, ERGs have limitations. The groups don’t have the ability to strike or make demands about policy or working conditions.

ERGs can also contend with internal issues, especially if group members don’t share the same vision.

At some organizations, low employee engagement may prevent ERGs from forming in the first place. Or, alternatively, too many ERGs can develop when employees feel unsure where they fit or where they should focus their time.

There’s no established formula for creating a successful employee resource group, so this may lead to trial and error on the part of ERG members, which may create internal conflict. 

How to start an ERG

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine whether you should start an ERG:

• Will my company support ERGs?
• Do I have the time and bandwidth to start/lead a voluntary group?
• Do several other people in the company share my background or ideas?
• Is the ERG I want to form appropriate for and beneficial to my workplace?

These questions are important not only to determine whether an ERG would be a worthwhile use of your time, but also whether it would be the correct forum for your ideas, concerns or shared experiences. While ERGs are great for many things, they are not perfect for every situation.

You may want to speak with HR, other employees or even someone currently pursuing or having recently graduated with a business degree with an HR certificate. These people can potentially share perspectives on what you’re trying to achieve and whether an ERG is the best way to succeed. 

If you decide that an ERG is the right choice for you and like-minded colleagues, it’s time to start taking steps toward creating a group. These steps include:

• Determine your ERG focus and seek input: Before you start your ERG, have a specific purpose or target audience in mind, and align your purpose with the company or its core values.
• Formalize and get company buy-in: Leadership buy-in is a must if you plan to recruit, organize and communicate about the ERG at work. Some companies will provide financial support. Others might lend support in different meaningful ways. Be prepared with data and talking points to highlight the value your group can bring.
• Establish your mission: A concrete mission is essential for ensuring all members are working toward a shared goal. After identifying a goal, you can begin creating a structure, outlining roles and responsibilities, and recruiting members.
• Recruit members: Every group needs members! When recruiting, be specific about the expectations, goals and focus of the group. In the early days, you may experience inconsistent numbers, but as your meetings and activities become more routine, so should your group members.

After these steps, it’s time to plan meetings and activities. These will largely be determined by how your workplace is set up — such as whether you’re remote or in-person — as well as your group’s needs, goals and so forth. Scheduling for a group can sometimes present challenges, so try to be as flexible as possible in the early days. Once you become more established, you should be able to pick up a rhythm. 

ERG examples

You may be able to look around at your workplace, or even your school, and find examples of ERGs. Some ERGs could be:

• LGBTQ+ allyship groups
• Women
• Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) alliances
• Employees with disabilities
• Sustainability
• Military veteran support groups
• Mental health advocacy groups
• A working-parent support group

The existing ERGs might inspire you when starting your own. Using successful ERGs as a template until you get more established is a great way to get the ball rolling. 

ERG activities

You can divide ERG activities into four categories: career or professional development events, cultural education events, community events and business development events.

Career

ERGs can be a wonderful asset for internal career and leadership development. Common opportunities include:

• Professional development related to pitching ideas, leading meetings, conflict resolution and public speaking
• Workshops, interdepartmental cross-training, roundtable discussions and guest speakers
• Networking events
• Job shadowing

Cultural education

ERGs can be a great resource for empowering company culture. ERGs are often beacons of inclusion and support, which helps strengthen employee bonds to their company and each other. Culture events pioneered by ERGs can include:

• Educating employees about the culture
• Cultural observances and celebrations
• Hosting after-work social hours
• Being an efficient and effective resource for the general employee population 

Community

An ERG isn’t limited to company reach. In fact, some ERGs focus on their communities at large through initiatives that highlight their company’s commitment to the community. Opportunities that might exist in your community include:

• Community fundraisers
• Care packages for a group associated with your ERG, like the military or local schools
• Opportunities for members to act as a liaison with local organizations
• Working with community leaders to identify and address community issues and pain points

Business development

ERGs also might help advance your company’s success. These groups can provide input on new products or services, or even act as test groups before a new product rolls out. Both business leaders and employees can get a lot out of ERGs when these groups are leveraged in this way. Other commerce activities for ERGs may include:

• Participating in expos and trade shows to generate leads
• Evaluating training and mentorship to make these processes more efficient
• Participating in career fairs to attract diverse talent

Whether you’ve been involved in ERGs and are now looking to start your own, or you’re coming to this concept for the first time, employee resource groups are a great way to motivate like-minded employees around you to advocate for change and create workplace support groups.