By Nikki Gum, Manager, Brand Communications
Over the past four years, employee engagement has declined, with over 50% of employees feeling detached from their employer. Some of this is due to pandemic-related issues, but employees also cite lack of communication, limited options for job growth, increased responsibilities, and team restructuring as contributing factors.
To keep employees engaged and maintain an inclusive environment, consider creating or expanding your organization’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
The many benefits of ERGs include a sense of belonging, a platform for underrepresented voices, internal networking and professional development opportunities, and an authentic, employee-led focus on DEI.
What we know about ERGs and their impact on corporate success:
- Around 90% of Fortune 500 companies support ERGs
- 35% of companies that implemented ERGs increased in size
- 54% percent of organizations with ERGs reported an increase in a sense of belonging and community, and 14% saw an increase in retention
- ERGs can breed innovation through diverse perspectives that often lead to creative solutions
Companies like Dell, Hilton, Bank of America, Microsoft, and more have lauded the benefits of ERGs, and have specifically credited high employee engagement, low turnover rates, and other positive outcomes to their robust ERG culture.
Successful ERGs meet the needs of employees as well as the business. Some best practices include:
- Catering to specific groups rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach
- Supporting ERG Leads with clearly defined goals and resources
- Creating visibility for ERGs with senior leadership
If you need help building or auditing your ERG programming, we can help with a range of ERG solutions. Contact us to learn more.