Since that time, ERGs across the United States have connected groups of employees who share interests and identities. For example, an employee who is blind Finally, you need to understand where you are starting so you can objectively prove the worth of your ERG. Nina comes to Equidox with years of sales and marketing experience from a variety of industries and holds a BS in Language Arts Education. Lets face it; Zoom meetings can be tedious. To support the career advancement of their members, ERGs foster sponsorship3Monne Williams, Dont let fear stop you from forging ahead: An interview with Erika James, McKinsey, September 15, 2022. within or outside the ERG. African American ERG Asian American/Pacific Islander ERG Disability ERG Latino ERG LGBTQ ERG United Voices of Vanderbilt Veterans ERG ERG Collaborative Events Celebrating Our Women: See Her Hear Her! A frequent Year 1 objective is improving the disability self-identification rates of your employees. Tune into this webinar to hear about findings from the 2022 Disability Equality Index. Employee engagement is essential to our vibrant workforce. 13 last year. Creating an ERG inherently creates change: Sometimes through its very existence, and other times through the ERG objectives. Giving employees opportunities to polish their talents can shape them for a role that they might not otherwise have considered. Disability:IN has partnered with Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), a trusted advisor working with []. Depending on the ERGs purpose and goals, the connections could be to other ERGs, to internal functions (such as recruiting and social responsibility), or to members of senior leadership who can help provide input on To prevent such inequities, effective companies create a centrally aligned approach to allocating ERG funding and leadership support. Meanwhile, information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows 61 million U.S. adults live with a disability. Hughes noted how the group can facilitate connections, including with experts at Paraquad. We conducted our conversations and research in late 2020 through early 2021. Failing to do so can seem#Diversishthat is, caring about other more traditional areas of diversity and inclusion, but not disabilities. Gaining information on what benefits they value, what kind of environment they work best in, or whether a job description would catch their attention can help attract the best, most diverse candidates for each job posting. Wheelchair user w/ a deaf daughter. The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice on any subject matter. Work from Anywhereis a flexible work arrangement that allows teammates to work in a different location for up to eight weeks per year. Her disappointment with the ERG stemmed from a disconnect between what the ERG was doing and what the companys DEI head said the ERGs purpose and mission were. Partnering with Human Resources, the group aims to promote the recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities, inclusive of those with long-term health conditions, carers, or those otherwise affected by disability. The Outies: LGBT ERG of the Year The Outie for LGBT Employee Resource Group of the Year recognizes a particular employee resource group (ERG) that has a proven track record of success in advocating for LGBT equal rights in its own workplace. .paragraph--type--html-table .ts-cell-content {max-width: 100%;} Almost no one has running an ERG as their primary job, most people try to squeeze ERG work in around their other main job responsibilities. Sometimes referred to as Employee Networks or In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) celebrated annually on May 19th, Disability:IN Chicagoland hosted a virtual discussion designed to build awareness on the importance of digital accessibility in the workplace and marketplace. .manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} TheDisability Employee Networkis dedicated to the inclusion and equality of Thomson Reuters employees with disabilities. An agency within the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution AveNW Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are not new. Encourage interdepartmental connection, Especially in larger companies with many office locations or departments, ERGs offer employees the opportunity to. As a best practice, leading companies ensure alignment among senior leaders about the role of ERGs as an important and necessary part of both employee experience and retention, particularly for traditionally underrepresented demographics. This fact sheet provides ideas, recommendations and resources for disability inclusion that go beyond They offer employees the opportunity to network, address common issues and concerns, and receive support from those who share similar backgrounds, experiences or interests. Zillow, for example, addresses this by including allyship in its groups name: Able and Disabled Advocates Partnering Together. Make it safe for people to share in other areas of the company. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) can offer a valuable way to bring together communities and promote allyship within your organization. I joke that since this effort started, officially kicked off, the floodgates of subject matter have just flung wide open, she said. To honor this important day, Disability:INs Dorothy Garcia will open this webinar by sharing initial findings from the pilot round of the Global Disability Equality Index, and how the pandemic has made disability inclusion [], Microsoft believes its most important contribution to accessibility will come not from their own work, but from helping their customers and partners use technology to meet their accessibility commitments. Effective employee resource groups are key to inclusion at work. To stay abreast of such changes, please check: Accessibility Overview of Microsoft Teams (additional links at the end of this document) Teams meetings are different [], This International Day of Persons with Disabilities is the second to occur during the Covid-19 crisis. I have personally found ERG leadership is a really good activity to face professional fearspublic speaking or having difficult conversations for example. WebMost commonly, employees of similar ethnicities, gender identities, or sexual orientations form employee resource groups to give them a space to discuss their experiences at Other essential activities include: This may also be a good time to reach out to your facilities management group. Help your employees find purposeor watch them leave, Dont let fear stop you from forging ahead: An interview with Erika James, This time its personal: Shaping the new possible through employee experience. Employee Resource Groups can show employees with disabilities tools and techniques they can use to develop important career skills. Learn why improving business opportunities for people with disabilities is a social issue at the heart of ESG. I think were building something special here.. Simplify project management, increase profits, and improve client satisfaction. Both census and CDC data show disabilities are more common among older adults and non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Natives. Sponsored by Accenture & Google with Salesforce, Intel, & Bank of America, the conference had over 1,200 registrants from 36 countries. @media (max-width: 992px){.usa-js-mobile-nav--active, .usa-mobile_nav-active {overflow: auto!important;}} Yet the new roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. CPACC Certified Accessibility professional with degrees in CS, law, business. They serve as valuable focus groups for the company and advocacy groups for their members. ERG leaders also went through facilitated workshops to define their groups own strategies and performance measurements with respect to the companys DEI goals. Disability Fundamentals for Managers is a free, open-source, 30-minute interactive training that helps managers learn about disability awareness, etiquette, disclosures and accommodations, and holding accessible meetings and events. The Disability:IN ERG/BRG Leadership Committee has prepared this fact sheet to assist corporate disability Employee Resource Groups/Business Resource Groups to advance inclusive and easy access to their companies grounds and buildings. Disability exists where this interaction results in limitations of activities and restrictions to full participation at school, at work, at home, or in the community. Nina has a passion for words, storytelling, and information, which she believes everyone should have access to regardless of ability. The Disability Equality Index (DEI), a joint initiative with the American Association of People with Disabilities, is a benchmarking tool that provides an objective score and roadmap on disability inclusion policies and practices. The ERGs and LCs are organized around race, national origin, gender identity, parenthood, diverse abilities, education, faith and beliefs, and other common affinities. It also became clear that ERG leaders were overburdened by the work of keeping the ERGs running. Effective ERGs also track the outcomes of their work and report them to leadership and their members. An employee resource group for people with disabilities provides a great testing group t. your website or other resource are accessible. ERGs also provide new employees with disabilities a community and a sense of belonging within the company, and help them feel less conspicuous. I think thats a testament to how much of an impact it is in their lives, that they want to be involved in this.. WebEmployee Resource and Diversity Working Groups are responsible for developing and implementing a wide variety of initiatives that directly assist the Laboratory in meeting its diversity-related goals and objectives. The Accessible Technology Procurement Toolkit provides technology purchasers with information, best practices, and resources to ensure that workplace technology is accessible to all applicants and employees without unnecessary delay or unwarranted costs. ERGs can serve as in-house focus groups to determine what, and find valuable. Fair access to financial tools and credit can help consumers achieve their lifes goals. WebUtilized by 247 Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 corporations in 2022, the DEI tool benchmarks a corporations disability inclusion efforts. Through ERG inputs, companies better understand their customers and are able to cater products to underrepresented groups. Analyze data to detect, prevent, and mitigate fraud. Their ERG work is often made more difficult because many ERGs dont share practices or resources with one another. And while the ERG funded social activities, the corporate DEI team sought to expand mentorship. A newer employee may have insights into how the company can better accommodate everyone. If other ERGs exist at your organization, looking at the way they have done things is frequently a good guideline. 2 The CDC says a disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions). More information, including state-level data, is available at the CDCs Disability and Health Data System. To resolve these issues, the DEI function brought together all ERG leaders for a strategy session in which the DEI team shared the companys DEI strategy and prompted ERG leaders to explore how their groups could support it. Fostering inclusion, which we define as the extent to which an organizations systems and people promote a welcoming and fair environment for all employees. ERG group membership is typically rooted in some common characteristic such as gender, veterans status, age, disabilities, ethnicity or geographic location. They have grown to become important networking, retention, and marketing groups that continue to benefit businesses. While those departments are the low hanging fruit, their support of an ERG wont be a huge surprise. Christine Smith works in the External Engagement and Corporate Communications Division at the St. Louis Fed. Executives and senior leaders play an essential role in times of change. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } Experience suggests that this task can be fulfilled by paying attention to several factors, such as ensuring clear communication about the ERGs purpose and goals, aligning each ERGs activities with the corporate DEI strategy, and lending sufficient organizational support to ERG leaders. .table thead th {background-color:#f1f1f1;color:#222;} Sometimes referred to as Employee Networks or Affinity Groups, ERGs offer employees an opportunity to connect and receive support from others with similar backgrounds or interests. She had indeed experienced deeper connection with Black colleagues and felt less like an only at her company. View the Zoom Webinar. Each ERG then shared its strategies with the DEI team so that the central team could coordinate and foster collaboration across the previously siloed groups. Fibromyalgia, chronic migraines can be, as well. Search volumes of data with intuitive navigation and simple filtering parameters. . The point of ERGs is to be inclusive, you would not want to exclude men from a womens ERG, able-bodied people from disability ERGs, or straight allies from an LGBTQ+ ERG. These groups are open to all Although ERGs are generally initiated by employees, often employees with disabilities, especially invisible disabilities, are reluctant to ask their employer to launch such a group. This is typically due to a fear of repercussions related to self-disclosure and especially so if there isnt company support for this employee segment. Shannon joined the Black network at her company expecting to gain a sense of community, access to special projects, support and sponsorship from senior leaders, and even greater opportunities to advance. Web1. The group can present the idea to management, increasing the chances it will be accepted. GLEAM also actively helps to attract, retain and develop LGBTQIA+ people and raises awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community to increase ally engagement. #views-exposed-form-manual-cloud-search-manual-cloud-search-results .form-actions{display:block;flex:1;} #tfa-entry-form .form-actions {justify-content:flex-start;} #node-agency-pages-layout-builder-form .form-actions {display:block;} #tfa-entry-form input {height:55px;} Wherever you work, part of being an ally is learning how to be present and vocal and stand up respectfully. The group also serves as a resource to Hispanic and Latinx communities and organizations worldwide. For example, an employee who is blind or has low vision may not feel comfortable presenting in front of a crowd and has never had the opportunity to practice that skill to gain confidence in it. ERGs can be a tremendous asset for a company as long as they are seen as a An inaugural initiative to increase representation and opportunity for people with disabilities. To avoid conflicts between the strategies of ERGs and corporate DEI teams, effective DEI teams share their strategies with ERGs so the groups can devote activities and resources to overall DEI strategy. These groups help businesses learn to accommodate, attract, retain, and market to people with disabilities (PWD). There will be retention issues because employees with disabilities dont have a collective mechanism to air common grievances and support one another. Be accessible, How to identify a Toxic Accessibility Culture, and what you can do about it, Groups that dont care about people with disabilities, Making word clouds and polling fully accessible to all meeting attendees, Applying Ted Lasso management lessons to accessibility. WebTopics: Disabled Employees / Employee Resource Groups Organization Training On this page: Involving people with disabilities is key to the success of an accessible procurement program. The group works closely with Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) to provide transitioning service members and veterans with critical technology career skills. Of the five dimensions, employees were mostly likely to rate community building as effective or very effective. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are not new. We conducted our conversations and research in late 2020 through early 2021. The three St. Louis Fed employees note they are not specialists: We are not the experts, but were trying hard to learn as we go, Lamar says. More ERGs formed, and more sought support and resources from the corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) function as they ventured beyond employee community building into areas such as unconscious-bias training and product development. This week Im going to describe some steps to take to build or relaunch one. A year in, she felt frustrated. Transparent, current, focused, and accurate information about accessibility is essential for the purchase and sale of technology products and services that people with disabilities can use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines ERGs as non-union voluntary employee organizations led and comprised of members of the organization, formed around common interests. Here are some ways you can make your social media communications more inclusive and accessible. The veterans ERG was small, with less than 30 members, but offered external speakers, happy hours, and connections with senior colleagues. Focus investigation resources on the highest risks and protect programs by reducing improper payments. These building blocks are designed to assist both buyers and sellers on their digital accessibility journey. Hear from our DEI Director Becky Kekula and leaders from DEI top scoring companies, as they discuss disability inclusion trends, takeaways and best practices! .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} To learn more about opportunities at the St. Louis Fed, visit our Careers site and connect with us on LinkedIn. . They offer employees the opportunity to network, address common issues and Part onefocuses on how to optimize the video conference experience for the event. The ERGs leaders had weak ties to executives. In our research, we looked at how the following five dimensions correlate with employee inclusion and belonging. This could demonstrate her organizational and event planning skills, making her a great candidate for a position in event marketing. Some things that you may need to accomplish to saturate your potential members with information about your group include: Every company that is large enough to have any ERG needs to have a disability ERG. The Disability:IN APAC Councils Disability Advantage Conference was held April 20. Reasonable accommodations support is crucial to people with disabilities recruitment process. Employees are able to step outside of their normal department groups. Representing employees with conditions such as hearing loss, blindness, visual impairments, ADD, mobility disabilities, and dyslexia, the Microsoft Disability employee resource group drives internal visibility and collaborates with product teams to design, develop, and build accessible, inclusive products. ERG leaders and members are asking whether the groups provide what employees want and are seeking ways to offer the support employees are actually looking for. While ambulatory disabilities are the most prevalent type (affecting 7% of Americans, per census data), Hughes, Pusch and Lamar talked at length in interviews about disabilities not immediately apparent. New roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. Please sign up there for notices of all, If you want to be perceived as inclusive, you have to BE inclusive. To avoid this pitfall, effective ERG leaders align with their companys DEI team and communicate extensively about the ERGs purpose and goals. However your company is working this year, accessibility is essential to ensuring that employees and applicants with disabilities are part of that work. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The company began recognizing and rewarding ERG leaders by writing ERG involvement into annual performance goals and allowing a 20 percent time allocation for ERG leadership. TheBlack Employee Networks (BEN) mission is to foster the inclusion and advancement of employees that identify as Black or of African descent at Thomson Reuters. A newer employee may have insights into how the company can better accommodate everyone. Learn from other employee resource groups, Likewise, everyone- not just people with disabilities-. Enhance recruitment efforts to better target and appeal to job seekers with disabilities. Either your organization: Disability ERGs are a huge win for everyoneemployees (both those involved in the group that are leaders, and those that are members), the organization itself, and members of the public who may be treated with less bias when applying for a position with the organization. In return for funding and support, ERGs were required to report metrics relating to membership, participation, and funding. Over the past several years, a life sciences company saw a significant uptick in employee resource group (ERG) activity and participation. But its taking federal courts a while to get there. Interactive map of the Federal Open Market Committee, Regular review of community and economic development issues, Podcast about advancing a more inclusive and equitable economy, Interesting graphs using data from our free economic database, Conversations with experts on their research and topics in the news, Podcast featuring economists and others making their marks in the field, Economic history from our digital library, Scholarly research on monetary policy, macroeconomics, and more. Reinforcing our commitment to an exclusive workplace where every employee feels a sense of belonging. June is recognized as Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the resilience, perseverance and unity of the LGBTQ community. Were just really getting started, but if you look at the group of people at our meetings, its super diversewe have people from all over the Bank. This checklist outlines required documents needed to become a certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE), including Veteran Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (V-DOBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (SDV-DOBE).
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