What is an Employee Resource Group and How Does It Work

For those who are unaware, employee resource groups (ERG) are communities created by the employees of a workplace. The main purpose of ERGs is to foster a closer bond among employees within a company or organisation.

If you’re curious to know more about what an employee resource group is, this article helps you gain a deeper understanding of why it’s important and the strategies to build successful ERG programs.

What is an Employee Resource Group (ERG)?

So, what is an employee resource group (ERG)? Well, ERGs are employee-led groups that work together to foster the connection and inclusiveness of underrepresented groups within a workplace. For instance, it could be related to specific shared interests, gender identity, religion, race or sexuality.

What is the Purpose of ERG?

The purpose of ERG is to foster a closer community and relationship among each other to reduce turnover rates and to offer a supportive environment. Besides that, ERGs such as multicultural employee resource groups help to provide a safe space for employees of different cultures or identities to feel more included within the work environment.

Another purpose of ERG is to provide professional development groups which allow employees to upskill as well as for knowledge-sharing among each other such as training or brainstorming sessions. This is also known as employee resource group training or mentoring.

Who Should Participate in ERG?

All employees, regardless of their religion, race, or gender, are encouraged to join Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). ERGs are an excellent way for employees to build closer relationships and foster a sense of community.

Junior employees, known as mentees, can benefit significantly from ERG programs. They gain mentorship, expand their networks, and develop their skills while learning about diverse cultures and unique identities.

Senior employees, who serve as mentors in ERG programs, offer guidance and share their expertise with mentees. In doing so, they not only enhance their leadership skills but also contribute to creating a positive and inclusive workplace, making their colleagues feel more welcome.

Benefits of the ERG Mentorship Program

Though there are many different types of ERGs, we’ll be focusing on ERG mentoring programs. There are several benefits of ERG mentorship programs which are:

1. Build Skills and Enhance Career Development

ERG mentorship programs are a great way for employees to build new skills and brush up on their current skills. The mentors will be able to guide them and help to improve their skills.

2. Build Networking Opportunities

ERG mentorship programs are a good way to build a closer connection, network and community with other seniors and employees. Without these programs, it might be difficult for the juniors to expand their network with not just seniors, but other colleagues as well.

3. Offer Support and Maintain Closer Relationships

Employees receive immediate guidance from seniors during ERG mentorship programs. They don’t have to wait for one-to-one sessions or struggle to get the seniors’ attention as they can receive the support needed during these programs.

4. Improve Employee Retention

Having ERG mentorship programs also helps to avoid high turnover rates as it makes employees feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement. They will also feel comfortable and welcomed without being worried about being judged.

Strategies to Implement Mentorship Program for ERG

If you require some tips on how to build a successful ERG mentorship program, here are some recommended strategies to consider implementing:

1. Identify the Needs & Target Participants

First and foremost, it’s important to have a clear understanding and vision of the objectives for building the ERG mentorship programs. You need to identify who your potential ERG mentors and mentees are so that you can create a program that is tailored to their specific needs and backgrounds.

For example, mentees can seek out senior employees with expertise in various fields, while mentors can look for junior employees seeking career development. In both cases, identify the key skills or knowledge areas that will be most beneficial, such as leadership skills, career enhancement, and other relevant competencies.

2. Develop the ERG Mentorship Program

Once you’ve gotten the main step out of the way, the next step would be creating the program. It’s best to figure out the best format of the mentorship program such as a group setting, one-on-one, or any other setting.

You’ll also need to take into account the type of mentor and mentee so that each of them will be able to match each other’s skills or knowledge required.

3. Offer Resources or Training for all Participants

As a company, be sure to provide any form of resources or training so that both mentors and mentees can benefit from it. Offering the right support could ensure the success of the mentorship programs.

4. Maintaining the ERG Mentorship Program

To regularly maintain the success of the employee resource groups' mentorship programs, consistent evaluation and feedback are important. That way, you can measure the overall effectiveness of the mentorship programs and make the necessary changes if needed.

What Challenges in ERG Mentorship Programs Should You Anticipate?

It may not be easy to run successful ERG mentorship programs. With that being said, here are some common challenges most companies face:

1. Lack of Resources

Most companies don’t have sufficient resources to support the employee resource groups. Thus, this leads to the lack of interest from employees to regularly participate in the mentorship programs.

2. Lack of Exposure or Awareness

Not all employees are fully aware of the employee resource groups. Even if they are aware these programs exist, they might not know the benefits of participating.

3. Sustaining or Maintaining the Program

At the start of these mentorship programs, employees may try them out and join the ones that interest them. However, they may not be regular participants as they lose interest quickly.

Build Effective ERGs with FutureLab

If you wish to develop effective and successful ERG mentorship programs, consider engaging with FutureLab! The team of experts are able to guide you in creating the employee resource groups that could help your company build a supportive environment.

Explore more of FutureLab mentorship programs for the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. If you wish to become a mentor, FutureLab provides an online mentoring platform to connect with mentees and share your expertise.

Conclusion

To conclude, employee resource groups are important in any company or organisation. Having ERG mentorship programs could make your employees feel valued while also enhancing their own personal development. With the right support and strategies, your ERG mentorship programs will be a successful way to build a more engaged work environment.