How to Champion Employee Resource Groups to Unlock Your Workforce

For over 30 years, Employee Resource Groups, Diversity Councils, and Affinity Groups have championed diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

The first resource group began as a race-based employee forum in the 1960s by Joseph Wilson, the CEO of Xerox Corporation. He formed his first caucus in response to racial tension after the violent race riots in Rochester, New York, in 1964. By 1970, Xerox launched the National Black Employees Caucus. A decade later, they formed the Black Women's Leadership Caucus. Today, more than ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies have cultivated Employee Resource Groups within their organizations.

These groups play a crucial role in recruiting and developing underrepresented talent. They also provide cultural insight into company products, missions, and develop branding for diverse target markets.

From a Harvard Business Review article, a 2014 survey conducted by Software Advice, 70% of U.S. respondents who were 18 to 24 years old and 52% of respondents between 25 and 34 reported they would be more likely to apply for a role at a company that had ERGs. Fifty percent of survey respondents stated they would remain at a company because it had an ERG. 

Many employees receive leadership development and networking opportunities that would not be possible without the organizations’ ERG. Plain and simple, ERGs are good for business. 

And given the current global movement to overcome systemic oppression and institutionalized racism, ERGs will play a crucial role in developing a truly diverse and equitable workforce on a worldwide scale. 

And that's why we feel it's time to celebrate them! 

Mogul has officially founded National ERG Day on November 17th, 2020. 

National ERG Day is a virtual event, and we recognize ERGs with three sessions:

• Session 1 is for HR leaders on nurturing ERGs and being a champion for your ERG professionals. 
• Session 2 is for ERG leaders and members sharing ways to get buy-in from executives to cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture. 
• Session 3 is for our entire community and is about finding power in being a minority in the workplace. I'm so honored to speak at this event and share my journey in hopes of inspiring and empowering our community.

Mogul is celebrating National ERG Day with a virtual event, welcoming HR and ERG leaders, and Mogul Members from across the Fortune 1,000, Big 3 consulting firms, and top-tier growth stage startups for a day of inspiration, insights, collaboration, and community.

We'll be highlighting how ERGs provide employees with support, career growth opportunities, and contribute to personal and professional development in the workplace. 

I hope you will join us in celebrating diversity, inclusion, and equity for the first annual National ERG Day. Reserve your spot.

We encourage you to share this day with your colleagues, clients, stakeholders, and employees and spend the day celebrating your ERGs.