As companies continue to evolve and improve strategies for creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have emerged as an important way to further their goals. However, forming an ERG, which many companies have done, is just the first step.
An estimated 90% of Fortune 500 companies have formed ERGs. But not all are using what ERG members offer. An ERG now has the potential of not only improving employee engagement but also becoming an important part of business strategy and operations.
What’s an ERG?
Employee resource groups have roots in the Civil Rights era. Originally called workplace affinity groups, they were first formed in 1964 at Xerox. Joseph Wilson, former CEO of Xerox, and the company’s Black employees developed the idea of forming an ERG for Black employees who still faced discrimination on the job. This eventually led to the formation of the National Black Employees Caucus, the nation’s first official ERG.
