.manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} . Belonging to an ERG also helps employees feel that they can be authentic at work, and derive more meaning and purpose from the work that they do. It can enable families to buy a home or a car, start a business, pursue an education, or withstand a medical emergency or drop in income. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee affinity or experience-based groups that build community. 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. 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. This fact sheet provides ideas, recommendations and resources for disability inclusion that go beyond 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 programs focus on sparking girls interest in technology careers, supporting women-focused initiatives and organizations, and providing career and professional development resources for women once they are employees at Microsoft. It gives the employee the opportunity to practice presenting in front of people who can give them constructive advice. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) Click on links below to find out more about staff-administered affinity groups. Business leaders seeking to develop their companies DEI infrastructure further would do well to understand how ERGs can contribute. As an organization that values diversity,Thomson Reuters aims to foster an inclusive environment in which all employees are valued, respected, and encouraged to contribute to their fullest potential. And because they are not visible, they may not be acknowledged, Lamar said. 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. Perhaps they want to make resources more accessible but arent sure how best to accomplish that. ol{list-style-type: decimal;} Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are not new. by taking on roles within the organization that differ from their jobs. These groups help businesses learn to accommodate, attract, retain, and market to people with disabilities (PWD). Of the five dimensions, employees were mostly likely to rate community building as effective or very effective. They also want to be involved in helping create solutions. Disability-related ERGs include all levels of experience or management, giving new hires or those with less experience and tenure equal opportunities for input to have their ideas or concerns heard. 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. Provides a full line of federal, state, and local programs. 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. Twelve tips to keep in mind for inclusive hybrid meetings including considerations for: accommodations, platform, location, accessibility, and more. . 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. It also reinforces the idea of everyone being on one team and working for a common goal. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) can offer a valuable way to bring together communities and promote allyship within your organization. Save time with tax planning, preparation, and compliance. Work from Anywhereis a flexible work arrangement that allows teammates to work in a different location for up to eight weeks per year. Identify who will own: Document this all in anERG charterif your organization has other ERGs, there may be a template for this, it doesnt have to be too complicated. Its important that all ERGs include representation by people with disabilities. But none of her other expectations had materialized. Exercises/Activities/Events; and 3. Some also play a role in supporting the companys broader DEI strategy. Since that time, ERGs across the United States have connected groups of employees who share interests and identities. They can also help employees with disabilities identify what tools are available and how to access them. Webexample, Disability Employee Resource Groups may share information on appropriate etiquette; assist in promoting physical and virtual accessibility; offer guidance and insight on Once the name of the group is chosen, send an interoffice email to inform staff that there is a new Employee Resource Group available. Here, A question that is currently winding its way through American courts 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. If you spend just five minutes with the groups leadersBeth Hughes, Scott Lamar and Naomi Puschits clear these goals are more than words. WebThe Disability Employee Network is dedicated to the inclusion and equality of Thomson Reuters employees with disabilities. She had indeed experienced deeper connection with Black colleagues and felt less like an only at her company. They serve as valuable focus groups for the company and advocacy groups for their members. The task for business leaders, then, is to make sure that ERGs align with employees expectations and with the businesss DEI priorities. For Pusch, a senior instructional designer at the Banks Center for Learning Innovation, a deeper understanding of accessibility considerations follows awareness. 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. Within local communities, ERGs help improve brand visibility through volunteer activities and charitable giving to causes that ERGs consider important. Consolidate multiple country-specific spreadsheets into a single, customizable solution and improve tax filing and return accuracy. ERG leaders also went through facilitated workshops to define their groups own strategies and performance measurements with respect to the companys DEI goals. 1 in Top Companies for Employee Resource Groups, moving up from No. Or, as the CDC and Invisible Disabilities Association The Invisible Disabilities Association offers this definition: an invisible disability is a physical, mental or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside, yet can limit or challenge a persons movements, senses, or activities. state, it can be a mental or neurological condition that may limit or challenge a persons movements, senses or activities. PTSD can be an invisible disability. Additionally, the DEI team worked with company leadership to ensure equitable budget allocation across all groups. Many of the 40-plus ERGs operated independently, rather than aligning their activities with those of the corporate DEI function. The group also serves as a resource to Hispanic and Latinx communities and organizations worldwide. Messaging; 2. Here are some ways you can make your social media communications more inclusive and accessible. We surveyed and spoke with employees from all different levels, from frontline hourly employees to corporate executives, who work in large companies (more than 25,000 employees) across all US geographies. Other members of his or her ERG can offer suggestions or advice as to how they have overcome similar challenges. Try these steps to get back on the upswing when you are on a down cycle in your accessibility journey. 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. Heres how to get them right. ERG members who feel well served, on the other hand, enjoy greater feelings of inclusion. Failing to do so can seem#Diversishthat is, caring about other more traditional areas of diversity and inclusion, but not disabilities. Automate sales and use tax, GST, and VAT compliance. business topics and support the ERG at large. WebWe encourage employee connection through our network of Intel chartered 40+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Leadership Councils (LCs). Weve created a collection of intersectional illustrations that highlight the wide range of people with disabilities. Focus investigation resources on the highest risks and protect programs by reducing improper payments. The group works closely with Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) to provide transitioning service members and veterans with critical technology career skills. (The anecdotes used to illustrate the pitfalls are composites from real-life scenarios at companies weve studied.) Please sign up there for notices, In theory, absolutely. They also had significantly higher rates of feeling nervous, anxious, or isolated in the employment setting. WebFor employers, NDEAM is a perfect time to launch a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) if one doesn't already exist. The Hispanic/Latinx employee resource group (HOLA) provides employee community space, helps inspire future Hispanic and Latinx employees and advance the careers of current ones. Both census and CDC data show disabilities are more common among older adults and non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Natives. ERG leaders often bear the burden of additional but uncompensated work on top of their regular responsibilities. Here are four defining practices of the best-performing ERGs we have seen. The Hispanic ERG, on the other hand, had an extensive membership but no members above mid-manager level. And when theres a gap between what ERGs deliver and what employees desire, employees can feel less included at work. The ERGs leaders had weak ties to executives. Fair access to financial tools and credit can help consumers achieve their lifes goals. In recent years, some ERGs have become more organized, with their own governance and operating models, missions, and strategies. When Janet received no recognition for her work with the ERG, she handed over leadership of the ERG so that she could focus on her job. Instead, dip your toes into sales, professional services, or technology. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } Through our research and work with hundreds of organizations, weve observed the pitfalls that make ERGs ineffectivealong with what leading companies do to avoid these pitfalls. Effective employee resource groups are key to inclusion at work. 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. WebThese groups are also known as Affinity Groups or Business Resource Groups (BRGs). CPACC Certified Accessibility professional with degrees in CS, law, business. Its official goals include promoting greater awareness and understanding of people with disabilities through advocacy and allyship. And it is the only minority group any individual can become a part of at any time in their life.. Humana CEO Bruce Broussard signed the Disability: IN CEO Pledge, and our Network Resource Groups (NRGs) ranked No. Get more accurate and efficient results with the power of AI, cognitive computing, and machine learning. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. 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. View the Zoom Webinar. In this webinar, Disability:IN President and CEO Jill Houghton will speak with Microsoft Lead Accessibility Evangelist Hector Minto and three esteemed [], We all have a role to play in building an inclusive global economy. In return for funding and support, ERGs were required to report metrics relating to membership, participation, and funding. Meanwhile, Web3 is coming, and blockchain is already here. Employees are able to step outside of their normal department groups. New roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. Having a passion about a topic and a safe space makes it easier for one to confront those barriers that have been looming in front of their continued professional development. A lot of Disability ERG work revolves around communications, especially if you are a large multi-national corporation. Signature events include Bring Your Kids to Work Day and the annual MS Adoption Fair. "I feel like that for me, that's the understanding piece that I want to bring forward. 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. Also having anERG leadership transition planis important. Learn from other employee resource groups, Likewise, everyone- not just people with disabilities-. 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. 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. 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. 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. They are comprised of employees who are linked together by personal characteristics, such as ones race, ethnicity, gender, status as an individual with a disability, or sexual orientation/gender identity, or those who are Hosted by Current Global, Webinar: International Day of Persons with Disabilities Microsoft Exclusive, Webinar: Disability Inclusion: Building Inclusive Cultures Hosted by CECP, Disability:IN & NILG Webinar: Mental Health in the Workplace, Creating Accessible Digital Zoom Meetings Resource from Inclusion Works, Minority Mental Wellness Disability:IN Webinar, Best Practices for Accessible, Inclusive Communications, Infographic: Global Disability & Employment, Purchasing and Licensing Accessible Video Conferencing Platforms that Work for Everyone, Digital Accessibility: Getting 2021 Off to an Inclusive Start, Disability Fundamentals Training for Managers, Questions for Captioning and Transcription Vendors During Procurement Process, Supplier Certification Document Checklist, Digital Accessibility Statement Best Practices, ADA Past, Present & Future: Resources. 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. Sometimes known as Affinity Groups or Diversity Groups, ERGs are generally founded by core organizers, have volunteer membership and provide support to personal and professional development in the These building blocks are designed to assist both buyers and sellers on their digital accessibility journey. This webinar was part of the Inclusion Works Winter 2022 meeting and was moderated by Disability:IN Chief Accessibility Officer Jeff Wissel with panelists Scott Ballina (Citrix) Monica Ackerman (Scotiabank) and Monica Goel (CVS Health). Optimize operations, connect with external partners, create reports and keep inventory accurate. 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. An accessible platform and content will work for people in all these roles. 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. The Picture or it didnt happen meme applies here. ERGs offer great opportunities for employees with disabilities to build a community and develop professional relationships outside of the confines of their given departments. A sincere and well-drafted statement can build customer loyalty and help avoid lawsuits by addressing issues before legal help is sought. 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. Tap into a team of experts who create and maintain timely, reliable, and accurate resources so you can jumpstart your work. Formal ERGs. Wherever you work, part of being an ally is learning how to be present and vocal and stand up respectfully. ERGs also help reform business operations, for example, when members of underrepresented groups call attention to unfair processes. div#block-eoguidanceviewheader .dol-alerts p {padding: 0;margin: 0;} As ERGs discover more opportunities to engage employees and support companies DEI programs, they will want to be judicious about choosing where to dedicate time and energyin part, to make sure that their activities are promoting a sense of inclusion among ERG members. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px){.agency-nav-container.nav-is-open {overflow-y: unset!important;}} To learn more about opportunities at the St. Louis Fed, visit our Careers site and connect with us on LinkedIn. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Blue Pride This could demonstrate her organizational and event planning skills, making her a great candidate for a position in event marketing. The .gov means its official. The group can present the idea to management, increasing the chances it will be accepted. However your company is working this year, accessibility is essential to ensuring that employees and applicants with disabilities are part of that work. The Disability:IN APAC Councils Disability Advantage Conference was held April 20. External engagement: engaging outside the So far, the group has offered education on subjects like designing for accessibility and communicating with dignity. An official website of the United States government. Web1. They share information using the companys communication channels; ensure that joining ERGs is easy; engage members through frequent communications and community-building events, ensuring that ERG members meet one another; and empower members to take action to further the goals of the ERG. Women at Microsoft actively helps to attract, retain, and develop women around the world. 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. Employees are able to step outside of their normal department groups. It also spotlights the people and programs that make the St. Louis Fed central to Americas economy. U.S. Census Bureau. ERGs tend to fall short in predictable patternspatterns that can be undone with practices followed by the most effective ERGs. Authors note:Because of Mediums refusal to address its accessibility issues for both authors, Hint: fix the bug is probably the least important item on the list It is incredibly common when I do accessibility podcasts, I am asked, what does accessibility success look like to you? I, perhaps oddly, count beginning to get, An essential component to maximizing remote participation by people with disabilities Part two of a two-part article. 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. 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. Being able to access information equally ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity for education, employment, and success in life.. 8 employee networks that foster an inclusive environment. .usa-footer .container {max-width:1440px!important;} ERGs are encouraged to identify a Leadership 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. This article was edited by Justine Jablonska, an editor in the New York office. Its about having conversations where we're meeting people where theyre at.. WebEmployee Resource Groups. 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. Its official goals include promoting greater awareness and understanding of people with disabilities through advocacy and allyship. 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. Explore 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Report. Quick tips to help make your workplace and culture more inclusive. p.usa-alert__text {margin-bottom:0!important;} A frequent Year 1 objective is improving the disability self-identification rates of your employees. An employee resource group for people with disabilities provides a great testing group t. your website or other resource are accessible. Since launching in 2019, our Disability Employee Resource Group is helping co-workers understand what its like to live with a disability,visibleor not. In line with this goal, Thomson Reuters has established a formal process for employees to develop Business Resource Groups (BRGs).

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