Seeing that there are other successful people with disabilities within the company demonstrates that the company values their contributions. putting vendor and tool names in an Accessibility Statement provides free advertising for companies that the public or your customers may have concerns about. Its important not to pigeonhole PWD by only encouraging them to join ERGs that focus on disabilities. ERGs ERGs foster inclusion in a number of ways, including by helping employees feel that they belong and are part of a community, especially through connections that counter the feelings of being an only within an organization. Resource Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Blue Pride Why accessibility bugs are a good thing and how to handle them, Using plain language is essential for content accessibility, increase their personal development in the workplace, improve recruiting in the areas the ERGs focus on. All of the companies on The 2008 DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for People with Recruiting goals for people with disabilities and veterans with service-related disabilities are hard to meet without disability ERGs. Finally, you need to understand where you are starting so you can objectively prove the worth of your ERG. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are not new. WebEmployee Resource Groups. Many of us want to be or are, participants. Effective employee resource groups are key to inclusion at work. Its important that all ERGs include representation by people with disabilities. Mayo Clinic | Employees with Disabilities Although employees were pouring energy into their ERG work, the leaders of these groups felt increasingly frustrated as they tried to navigate the company, whether it was to obtain funding, collaborate with other ERGs, or coordinate across geographies. Part onefocuses on how to optimize the video conference experience for the event. This could demonstrate her organizational and event planning skills, making her a great candidate for a position in event marketing. 8 employee networks that foster an inclusive environment. That includes things like food in wheelchair accessible areas and heights and a ramp to the speakers podium. Learn how to engage Employee Resource Groups and 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. 3. Heres how to get them right. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 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. Yet the new roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. Contact us! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Fibromyalgia, chronic migraines can be, as well. Automate workpaper preparation and eliminate data entry. Both census and CDC data show disabilities are more common among older adults and non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Natives. New roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. Employee Resource Groups ERG members who feel well served, on the other hand, enjoy greater feelings of inclusion. Being able to access information equally ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity for education, employment, and success in life.. Giving employees opportunities to polish their talents can shape them for a role that they might not otherwise have considered. They have grown to become important networking, retention, and marketing groups that continue to benefit businesses. Exercises/Activities/Events; and 3. Toolkit for Establishing and Maintaining Successful WebDisability Employee Resource Group Aliases: Disability Employee Resource Group Mission Statement: It is our mission to provide the support that inspires, empowers and Employee Resources Groups (ERGs) go by many different names (i.e., Affinity Groups, Business Resource Groups, Employee Network Groups), but regardless of what they are called, they share a common purpose. Provides a full line of federal, state, and local programs. 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. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) What is an ERG? U.S. Census Bureau. A corporate commitment to a disability diverse and inclusive workforce requires that digital products and content be fully usable by a companys employees and job applicants with disabilities. Disability 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. It also became clear that ERG leaders were overburdened by the work of keeping the ERGs running. 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. TheEarly Careers Networkstrives to develop and equip early career professionals with the skills to take control of their career development, reach their potential, and become the leaders of tomorrow. WebThe 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. Access to these tools is especially important in the first few weeks and months of employment as employees settle into the daily routines of their jobs. Employees today are connecting their job to purpose like never before, and want to be part of the establishment and evolution of policies, practices, and proceduresespecially when it comes to DEI. . Otherwise, your words and actions are merely performative. In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, join Disability:IN and the National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) to hear speakers from multi-national corporations discuss their actions to promote mental wellness across their company. Web"Salesforce is a place for employees of all abilities. A sincere and well-drafted statement can build customer loyalty and help avoid lawsuits by addressing issues before legal help is sought. The longer she spent leading the ERG, the more time the role required, particularly after the companys HR team, which wanted to hire more women, asked ERG leaders to spend time interviewing candidates. The idea of like-minded coworkers getting together to discuss their ideas, commonalities, and workplace concerns has been around informally for as long as there have been jobs. They offer employees the opportunity to network, address common issues and The group is dedicated to increasing representation of Latinos within Thomson Reuters, raising an understanding of our diverse cultures and eliminating stereotypes through education. The ERGs leaders had weak ties to executives. The Global LGBTQIA+ Employees and Allies at Microsoft (GLEAM) employee resource group, provides support, advocacy, networking opportunities, external outreach to community non-profits, and promotes education within Microsoft. ERGs tend to fall short in predictable patternspatterns that can be undone with practices followed by the most effective ERGs. Since launching in 2019, our Disability Employee Resource Group is helping co-workers understand what its like to live with a disability, visible or not. As a Hispanic veteran, Luis belonged to two ERGs at the telecom company where he worked as an engineer. Over the past several years, a life sciences company saw a significant uptick in employee resource group (ERG) activity and participation. 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. Web1. Reinforcing our commitment to an exclusive workplace where every employee feels a sense of belonging. This allows all groups to gain a variety of perspectives because PWD are present in all groups within society, regardless of gender, nationality, race, or religion. Effective ERGs also track the outcomes of their work and report them to leadership and their members. Digital Accessibility Statement Best Practices WebFor employers, NDEAM is a perfect time to launch a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) if one doesn't already exist. They offer employees the opportunity to network, address common issues and concerns, and receive support from those who share similar backgrounds, experiences or interests. I think thats a testament to how much of an impact it is in their lives, that they want to be involved in this.. The company chief compliance officer was a veteran and used his position on the executive team to secure financial support for the ERG. And while the ERG funded social activities, the corporate DEI team sought to expand mentorship. 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. 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. Find more resources for employers at the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. There are many communications and tchochkes that wont be doable until the logo is done. 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. Lets face it; Zoom meetings can be tedious. ERGs also boost the visibility of underrepresented groups among larger groups in companies. WebThe Disability Employee Network is dedicated to the inclusion and equality of Thomson Reuters employees with disabilities. Its official goals include promoting greater awareness and understanding of people with disabilities through advocacy and allyship. Messaging; 2. ERGs help with recruiting efforts by participating in talent attraction. It is important when starting any type of ERG not to overload too few people with too many responsibilities. As a best practice, effective ERG leaders take advantage of strong connections within their organization to get access to the right people and funding required to sharply execute their initiatives. Fostering inclusion, which we define as the extent to which an organizations systems and people promote a welcoming and fair environment for all employees. Taken together, however, Persons with disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States, noted a representative from St. Louis-based Paraquad, who spoke at the employee resource groups kickoff. Do You Need an Employee Resource Group for People 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. Save time with tax planning, preparation, and compliance. And it is the only minority group any individual can become a part of at any time in their life.. Even when professional development is not the main goal of an ERG, members may have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills by taking on roles within the organization that differ from their jobs. In honor of this annual event, we sat down with Nikki Bentley, a Green Team lead in Eagan, Minnesota. We conducted our conversations and research in late 2020 through early 2021. div#block-eoguidanceviewheader .dol-alerts p {padding: 0;margin: 0;} Recent US Census data show a 276 percent increase in people who self-identify as multiracial, for example.4Nicholas Jones et al., 2020 census illuminates racial and ethnic composition of the country, US Census Bureau, August 12, 2021. Census 2018 ACS five-year estimates show 12.6% of the U.S. civilian population, or some 40 million Americans, live with a disability. Our research found that ERGs are more likely to be effective in community building than any other dimension (Exhibit 3). An employee might not otherwise have had the opportunity to develop those skills within the scope of their job responsibilities. Employees who rated their ERGs as effective or very effective in one or more categories were significantly more likely to report positive inclusion scores than employees who rated their ERGs as ineffective or very ineffective: 83 percent compared with 59 percent (Exhibit 2). Conduct legal research efficiently and confidently using trusted content, proprietary editorial enhancements, and advanced technology. The participation of ERG members, for example, in diverse panels and recruiting events, shows potential employees that a welcoming community exists at the organization they are considering joining. Anyone spending cognitive time hiding or worrying about disabilities is not bringing 100 % of themselves to work. Please sign up there for notices, In theory, absolutely. We have observed individual ERGs at the same company managing membership lists, communications, and events without sharing any of these resources. It gives everyone a chance to learn from one another and become allies for the needs of their coworkers. Concluded Pusch, I have been so overwhelmed by how excited people are and how much they want to get involved. During this webinar, we will share strategies and best practices that help create workplaces which are inclusive of disability and all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Enhance recruitment efforts to better target and appeal to job seekers with disabilities. 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 Day #8 Establish an Employee Resource Group - DOL Employee resource groups can contribute to employee retention by showing employers what PWD need to be successful. It also spotlights the people and programs that make the St. Louis Fed central to Americas economy. Identify patterns of potentially fraudulent behavior with actionable analytics and protect resources and program integrity. The U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey defines a disability as: The product of interactions among individuals bodies; their physical, emotional, and mental health; and the physical and social environment in which they live, work, or play. A newer employee may have insights into how the company can better accommodate everyone. 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. WebDisability Employee Resource Groups. 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! 7 Benefits of Disability Employee Resource Groups In line with this goal, Thomson Reuters has established a formal process for employees to develop Business Resource Groups (BRGs). At Brandlance we have been naming businesses for over 8 years and we are #block-googletagmanagerheader .field { padding-bottom:0 !important; } .h1 {font-family:'Merriweather';font-weight:700;} .usa-footer .container {max-width:1440px!important;} ERGs can be a tremendous asset for a company as long as they are seen as a Some also play a role in supporting the companys broader DEI strategy. Of the five dimensions, employees were mostly likely to rate community building as effective or very effective. 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. WebIf you have a disability employee resource group (ERG), include mention of the group and, if available, a link for visitors to learn more. We engage and connect to communities inside and outside Microsoft through several opportunities in partnership with our nine Employee Resource Groups. Year-Round Employer Strategies for Advancing Disability Inclusion .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} If your audience is all Ph.D. candidates, language can be complex and require, Starting a Disability Employee Resource Group (ERG), 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, When does a disability accommodation become a personal benefit?, Do internet-only businesses come under the Americans with Disabilities Act?, Why accessibility bugs are a good thing and how to handle them, Making PowerPoint decks more accessible, Using plain language is essential for content accessibility, Want to add value to your startup? For a disability ERG, it is excruciatingly important to have a fully accessible launch. Employees with disabilities who have the tools they need to confidently accomplish job responsibilities are more likely to stay in a job than a non-disabled worker. An inaugural initiative to increase representation and opportunity for people with disabilities. In our research, we looked at how the following five dimensions correlate with employee inclusion and belonging. Representing 17 ethnicity groups, the mission of the Asians employee resource group is to accelerate the advancement of Asian employees at Microsoft, increase the communitys influence, and build a network of camaraderie and support within the community and with allies. I can no longer support disability as an afterthought Authors note:Because of Mediums refusal to address its accessibility issues for both authors and readers,Ive moved my last three years of blogs toSubstack. Asking an ERG for disabled employees to evaluate your website will more accurately evaluate accessibility than using a static checklist. While those departments are the low hanging fruit, their support of an ERG wont be a huge surprise. in other areas of the company. An agency within the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution AveNW Videos showing how the St. Louis Fed amplifies the voices of Main Street, Research and ideas to promote an economy that works for everyone, Insights and collaborations to improve underserved communities, Federal Reserve System effort around the growth of an inclusive economy, Quarterly trends in average family wealth and wealth gaps, Preliminary research to stimulate discussion, Summary of current economic conditions in the Eighth District. Salesforce Employees with disabilities can share tools and ideas with one another, upper management, and the company as a whole to ensure their needs are met and that they are professionally successful. 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, Receive updates in your inbox as soon as new content is published on our website, American Community Survey and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2018 Subject Definitions (PDF). Learn from other employee resource groups, Likewise, everyone- not just people with disabilities-. WebWe encourage employee connection through our network of Intel chartered 40+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Leadership Councils (LCs). Business leaders seeking to develop their companies DEI infrastructure further would do well to understand how ERGs can contribute. 2. The first official ERG in the United States, the Xerox National Black Employees Caucus, was created in 1970 as a forum for Black employees to advocate for inclusion and change within the company. The authors wish to thank Yueyang Chen, Elaine Dang, Danny Hurvitz, and Monne Williams for their contributions to this article. as employees settle into the daily routines of their jobs. Founded in 1989, our first employee resource group, BAM, has led investment in programs like the BAM scholarships and Minority Student Day, an outreach event it hosts annually to educate students on careers in the tech industry. business topics and support the ERG at large. One of the lasting impacts of the pandemic is that business, Using plain language is essential for content accessibility When writing for your audience, its essential to keep things simple at the lowest common denominator for your audience. She had indeed experienced deeper connection with Black colleagues and felt less like an only at her company. Many of the 40-plus ERGs operated independently, rather than aligning their activities with those of the corporate DEI function. 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. Last week, I wrote about how important disability-focused employee resource groups are to creating an environment where employees with disabilities feel comfortable disclosing them and in turn helping others. This week Im going to describe some steps to take to build or relaunch one. What is an ERG anyways? These include the following. They can also help employees with disabilities identify what tools are available and how to access them. As the ninth and newest employee resource group, Indigenous at Microsoft strives to honour, share and celebrate Indigenous cultures within and beyond Microsoft while shaping inclusive technology to empower future generations. Today, we have 8 BRGs with over 90 chapters globally. Especially in larger companies with many office locations or departments, ERGs offer employees the opportunity to network with workers in other areas of the company. 2. The Picture or it didnt happen meme applies here. Self-Identification Within local communities, ERGs help improve brand visibility through volunteer activities and charitable giving to causes that ERGs consider important. Today, 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies have ERGs.2Georgene Huang, 90% of Fortune 500 companies already have a solution to gender equality but arent utilizing it, Forbes, November 13, 2017. 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. ERGs add strength to their voices and giving them more meaningful ways to contribute in the workplace. To avoid this pitfall, effective ERG leaders align with their companys DEI team and communicate extensively about the ERGs purpose and goals.
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