Instead, dip your toes into sales, professional services, or technology. As a best practice, effective ERGs focus on generating employee interest and awareness, both for the ERGs themselves and for the activities and initiatives that they provide for their members. Enhance recruitment efforts to better target and appeal to job seekers with disabilities. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. People with disabilities benefit all groups with which they identify. Quick facts on the disability community through a U.S. employment lens. 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? 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. 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. Wherever you work, part of being an ally is learning how to be present and vocal and stand up respectfully. 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. . 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, 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. Wont be able to find candidates with disabilities; Might find some candidates with disabilities, but they dont feel comfortable self identifying, or. .manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} Promoting external impact. By connecting their members to colleagues and parts of the business looking to embed diversity in operations and core strategy, ERGs drive social impact. 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. 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. WebThese groups are also known as Affinity Groups or Business Resource Groups (BRGs). WebFounded 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 Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. "I feel like that for me, that's the understanding piece that I want to bring forward. You cant tell how much impact the Disability ERG had in this area unless you know the rate of self-identification *before* your ERG started. Their ERG work is often made more difficult because many ERGs dont share practices or resources with one another. The Disability:IN ERG/BRG Leadership Committee has prepared this fact sheet to assist corporate disability Employee Resource Groups/Business Resource Groups to enable members to bring all aspects of themselves to the workplace and to serve as a bridge to other BRGs. 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 could demonstrate her organizational and event planning skills, making her a great candidate for a position in event marketing. We see several ways in which ERGs can help advance companies DEI efforts. Its important that all ERGs include representation by people with disabilities. In a survey rating the ERGs effectiveness, Shannon rated the ERG effective at employee community building but ineffective with respect to allyship, leadership connection, career advancement, and external engagement. Toolkits, checklists, books, films, and more about the Americans with Disabilities Act to help aid in awareness, education, and action towards a more inclusive future. 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. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the St. Louis Fed or Federal Reserve System. The Global Asian Affinity Network supports and highlights the rich diversity of the Asian community across Thomson Reuters. Affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups (ERGs), bring together employees with similar backgrounds or interests and can have a powerful influence in the workplace. Simplify project management, increase profits, and improve client satisfaction. Todays businesses recognize the importance of buying, selling, and licensing technology that can be used by all stakeholders, including applicants, employees, and customers with disabilities. For more information, see A Toolkit for Establishing and Maintaining Successful Employee Resource Groups. ERG group membership is typically rooted in some common characteristic such as gender, veterans status, age, disabilities, ethnicity or geographic location. If you spend just five minutes with the groups leadersBeth Hughes, Scott Lamar and Naomi Puschits clear these goals are more than words. 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. Part onefocuses on how to optimize the video conference experience for the event. 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. The St. Louis Fed is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where peoples differences can be recognized as strengths. In return for funding and support, ERGs were required to report metrics relating to membership, participation, and funding. Many of the 40-plus ERGs operated independently, rather than aligning their activities with those of the corporate DEI function. 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. A frequent Year 1 objective is improving the disability self-identification rates of your employees. In line with this goal, Thomson Reuters has established a formal process for employees to develop Business Resource Groups (BRGs). 8 employee networks that foster an inclusive environment. Many of us want to be or are, participants. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. To prevent such inequities, effective companies create a centrally aligned approach to allocating ERG funding and leadership support. New roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. Consolidate multiple country-specific spreadsheets into a single, customizable solution and improve tax filing and return accuracy. Do internet-only businesses come under the Americans with Disabilities Act? They can also help employees with disabilities identify what tools are available and how to access them. 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 When managed well and supported properly, ERGs will become powerful enablers of an organizationsand its employeessuccess. Quick tips to help make your workplace and culture more inclusive. 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. 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. All members of the group would have the opportunity to present possible solutions. These include the following. The Picture or it didnt happen meme applies here. WebWe encourage employee connection through our network of Intel chartered 40+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Leadership Councils (LCs). 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. ERGs do take time to run and that will be time you cant spend on projects that the people who are writing your reviews may want you to do. 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). WebIf you have a disability employee resource group (ERG), include mention of the group and, if available, a link for visitors to learn more. 2. PTSD can be an invisible disability. TheThomson Reuters Veterans Networkexists to bring awareness to veterans in the workplace, to show appreciation to those who have served or are currently serving, and as a support group for employees who are active Guard and Reserve members, as well as those recently transitioning from active duty, to help with transition from military deployments. Its important not to pigeonhole PWD by only encouraging them to join ERGs that focus on disabilities. Around one-third of employees rated their ERGs as neutral in external engagement, allyship, leadership connection, and career advancement. A companys LGBTQ+ ERG had an active leadership team, which organized events such as participation in Pride marches and unconscious-bias training. To avoid this pitfall, effective ERG leaders align with their companys DEI team and communicate extensively about the ERGs purpose and goals. We conducted our conversations and research in late 2020 through early 2021. The Disability:IN ERG/BRG Leadership Committee has prepared this fact sheet to assist corporate disability Employee Resource Groups/Business Resource Groups to advance a deeper understanding of thinking and actions that stem from misconceptions that surround disability. She had indeed experienced deeper connection with Black colleagues and felt less like an only at her company. Leaders should view ERG participation and involvement as net benefits for both the employees themselves and for the company as a wholeand provide ERG leaders the room to carve out time for their ERG responsibilities. In our research, we looked at how the following five dimensions correlate with employee inclusion and belonging. To celebrate Global Volunteer Month, the Thomson Reuters Social Impact Institute is excited to host the third annual IMPACTathon from April 24-28, 2023. 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. 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. ERG members who feel well served, on the other hand, enjoy greater feelings of inclusion. 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 group is dedicated to increasing representation of Latinos within Thomson Reuters, raising an understanding of our diverse cultures and eliminating stereotypes through education. How can you help remove barriers? he said. /*-->*/. Seeing that there are other successful people with disabilities within the company demonstrates that the company values their contributions. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. 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. Focus investigation resources on the highest risks and protect programs by reducing improper payments. An employee might not otherwise have had the opportunity to develop those skills within the scope of their job responsibilities. Finally, you need to understand where you are starting so you can objectively prove the worth of your ERG. Use them as a resource to determine what qualities job searching PWD would look for in a company. Its official goals include promoting greater awareness and understanding of people with disabilities through advocacy and allyship. Their launch event also helped lay employees learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act. They offer employees the opportunity to network, address common issues and concerns, and receive support from those who share similar backgrounds, experiences or interests. 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. 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. Abilityforce unites people with visible and invisible disabilities, employees with loved ones who are disabled, and allies. 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. This fact sheet provides ideas, recommendations and resources for disability inclusion that go beyond the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines). Before you can go in search of an executive sponsor for your ERG (hint: you need one and their participation is important) you first need to have some basic information about your ERG put together. WebThere are several things you need to consider when choosing a name for your disability company. Learn more about the Econ Lowdown Teacher Portal and watch a tutorial on how to use our online learning resources. The best disability employee resource groups (ERGs) are those that foster open dialogue and networking not only among their own members but also with members of other ERGs. 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. Giving employees opportunities to polish their talents can shape them for a role that they might not otherwise have considered. For employers, NDEAM is a perfect time to launch a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) if one doesn't already exist. The ERGs leaders had weak ties to executives. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} Save time with tax planning, preparation, and compliance. Employees want to feel heard and to know they have a voice. In fact, our research shows that employees who rated their ERGs effective or very effective were much more likely to say they feel included than employees who rated their ERGs ineffective or very ineffective. Companies may wish to consider recognizing and rewarding those who lead and run ERGs. Janet was the enthusiastic and dedicated leader of the womens ERG at her company, a role shed held for five years. Payroll, compensation, pension & benefits, Do not sell or share my personal information and limit the use of my sensitive personal information. Get more accurate and efficient results with the power of AI, cognitive computing, and machine learning. business topics and support the ERG at large. 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. Search volumes of data with intuitive navigation and simple filtering parameters. Automate workpaper preparation and eliminate data entry. A powerful tax and accounting research tool. An employee resource group for people with disabilities provides a great testing group to ensureyour website or other resource are accessible. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) What is an ERG? The difference between the experiences of these two groups is wide. A business management tool for legal professionals that automates workflow. We have also included a case study of an organization that got its ERG right (see sidebar How an effective ERG program came together). Please sign up there for notices of all, If you want to be perceived as inclusive, you have to BE inclusive. in response to race-related tension in the 1960s. Employees are able to step outside of their normal department groups. Day #7 Use Social Media to Promote Your Activities. Other members of his or her ERG can offer suggestions or advice as to how they have overcome similar challenges. 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. Our research suggests that more workers who belong to ERGs that they consider effective feel included at work than members of ERGs who see the groups as ineffective. An invisible disability can be physical. They have grown to become important networking, retention, and marketing groups that continue to benefit businesses. At Brandlance we have been naming businesses for over 8 years and we are Yet the new roles that DEI departments envision for ERGs dont always coincide with the roles set forth by ERGs themselvesor with employees expectations. Fair access to financial tools and credit can help consumers achieve their lifes goals. Please sign up there for notices, In theory, absolutely. For example, when the DEI function decided to field an employee experience survey, it discovered that an ERG had already sent a similar survey to its members. So why is it that we face so many freaking barriers? 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. 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. 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. Hear from our DEI Director Becky Kekula and leaders from DEI top scoring companies, as they discuss disability inclusion trends, takeaways and best practices! They have grown to become important networking, retention, and marketing groups that continue to benefit businesses. 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. The group also serves as a resource to Hispanic and Latinx communities and organizations worldwide. Within local communities, ERGs help improve brand visibility through volunteer activities and charitable giving to causes that ERGs consider important. 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. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERG) are employee-led groups with members who are drawn together by a common interest and work towards advancing relevancy, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organizations. Now, more than ever, corporations, CEOs, investors, and the community have a responsibility to advance disability inclusion and equality around the globe. I have personally found ERG leadership is a really good activity to face professional fearspublic speaking or having difficult conversations for example. Learn how to engage Employee Resource Groups and The company chief compliance officer was a veteran and used his position on the executive team to secure financial support for the ERG. Today, we have 8 BRGs with over 90 chapters globally. div#block-eoguidanceviewheader .dol-alerts p {padding: 0;margin: 0;} 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. 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. Since that time, ERGs across the United States have connected groups of employees who share interests and identities. WebEmployee Resource Groups (ERGs) can offer a valuable way to bring together communities and promote allyship within your organization. Prevent, detect, and investigate crime. 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 more you have conversations with other people, the more you realize how little awareness there is of what it means to live with a disability. 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. Disability:IN recommends three actions to be a mental health champion and ally: Notice, Act, Refer. They need to feel comfortable disclosing disabilities and asking for accommodations, with the expectation that their accommodation will be fulfilled. Formal ERGs came into existence in response to race-related tension in the 1960s. Here are some ways you can make your social media communications more inclusive and accessible. To learn more about opportunities at the St. Louis Fed, visit our Careers site and connect with us on LinkedIn. by taking on roles within the organization that differ from their jobs. The Hispanic ERG, on the other hand, had an extensive membership but no members above mid-manager level. 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. 6. In honor of this annual event, we sat down with Nikki Bentley, a Green Team lead in Eagan, Minnesota. 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. 1 American Community Survey and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2018 Subject Definitions (PDF). Moving forward, intersectionality is likely to become a more significant topic for ERGs. ERGs also provide new employees with disabilities a community and a sense of belonging within the company, and help them feel less conspicuous. Asking an ERG for disabled employees to evaluate your website will more accurately evaluate accessibility than using a static checklist. Also having anERG leadership transition planis important. 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. Many larger companies have branding guidelines that must be followed, so make sure you find them and stay within those if this applies to you. Always keep in mind that people with disabilities may be participating as audience members, speakers, screen sharers, anyone using chat functionality, or administrators. 4. (The anecdotes used to illustrate the pitfalls are composites from real-life scenarios at companies weve studied.) Reasonable accommodations support is crucial to people with disabilities recruitment process. The best disability employee resource groups (ERGs) are those that foster open dialogue and networking not only among their own members but also with members of other ERGs. When a company fosters a range of such groups and offers its support (management interest and sponsorship and even modest financial backing), persons with disabilities benefit. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that help to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with the organizations mission and values. ERGs add strength to their voices and giving them more meaningful ways to contribute in the workplace. Incorporating ERGs to Promote Disability Inclusion in the Workplace ERG leaders also went through facilitated workshops to define their groups own strategies and performance measurements with respect to the companys DEI goals. The veterans ERG was small, with less than 30 members, but offered external speakers, happy hours, and connections with senior colleagues. Try these steps to get back on the upswing when you are on a down cycle in your accessibility journey. 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. WebFor employers, NDEAM is a perfect time to launch a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) if one doesn't already exist. The authors wish to thank Yueyang Chen, Elaine Dang, Danny Hurvitz, and Monne Williams for their contributions to this article. This maturity model helps you start an ERG, and develop plans for continuous improvement.
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