Employee Resource Groups
The key to an engaged, mindful and forward-thinking workforce
CEO’s leading-edge research on Employee Resource Groups offers insight into the benefits and advantages of the diverse perspectives, inclusive strategies, and employee engagement that ERGs bring.
Questions about ERGs?
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are playing an increasingly valuable role in organizations as they directly address the growing social needs of businesses which leads to higher employee satisfaction. By creating affinity groups around identity, interest, or other shared traits, companies actively encourage deeper involvement by the workforce, which has not only a positive impact on culture, but also strategy and performance. In fact, studies show that companies with engaged employees outperform those without them by a whopping 202%.
Since 2009, CEO has been at the forefront of research on ERGs and the business impact they have on complex organizations. Today, CEO continues to enhance that research with interviews and performance data to develop and encourage ERG leaders, support their organizations, and help them both to thrive.
Surprisingly, despite the prevalence of ERGs in the business world, there has been very little research done on them. That’s why, having been focused on the issue for over a decade, CEO’s findings represent some of the most cutting-edge and comprehensive knowledge in the field.
Attend the 2022 Global ERG Summit
Bring your team and experience virtual and in-person sessions – View sponsorship packages here.
As an added bonus to the 2022 Global ERG Summit we are offering a virtual and optional four part “Learn & Connect” series to get our participants connecting with others and learning valuable ERG leadership skills. Each hour and a half session will focus on relevant topics that ERG leaders face.
Topics Include:
1. Learn & Connect Series: Inspiring Executive Sponsors: A Critical Launch Strategy for ERG Leadership
2. Learn & Connect Series: The case (or not) for a faith-based ERG
3. Learn & Connect Series: Connecting your ERG to business goals
4. Learn & Connect Series: When the DEI / ERG job is new
UPCOMING EVENT
Strategic Organization Design
April 18-21, 2023
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
ERG Attendee Page
Want to revisit some of the ERG Summit presentations? Attendees can access them here!
Participate in the Employee Resource Group Research Survey
Participate in the annual benchmarking study, The Annual Employee Resource Group (ERG) Research Survey! Benchmark your ERG process and learn from validated metrics by participating in CEO research!
Featured Article
Employee Resource Groups: An Introduction, Review and Research Agenda
Skylar Rolf, Steven Schlachter, Theresa M. Welbourne
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are within-organization groups, staffed by employee volunteers, which have evolved since their inception in the 1960s. In this paper, Theresa M. Welbourne (CEO), Skylar Rolf (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), and Steven Schlachter (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) provide an introduction to ERGs, review the literature that exists to date, and provide ideas for a research agenda.
READ MORE >
Additional Articles
How Employee Resource Groups Can Help Manage COVID-19 or Coronavirus Fears
Employee resource groups (ERGs) have a history of helping bring calm during rough times. Consider their inception point. During the United States’ first race riot in Rochester, N.Y., the CEO of Xerox started the precursor to today’s ERGs, the black caucus.
Is Equality the Next New Thing? Why It May Matter More Today
In the Fall Leadership Pulse® report, we examined leader energy and attitudes toward diversity. However, rather than just asking about diversity in general, we did a deep dive examining the new language of diversity. Specifically, we looked at three items: diversity, belonging, and equality.
ERGs Fighting the Pandemic
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are playing an increasingly valuable role in organizations as they directly address the growing social needs of businesses which leads to higher employee satisfaction.
SEE THE GRAPHIC
Certificate in Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leadership
As you advance through your journey as an ERG leader, the ERG leadership certificate can help you not only during your time as an ERG leader, but also strengthen your skills for future, non-ERG leadership roles. The ERG Certificate program will help move you ahead on your journey from where you are now, to your next role..
While you learn, you accumulate points toward earning the certificate. This unique program offers participants several ways to accumulate the points needed to earn the certificate. Many of the methodologies are focused on work that will not only help expand your own learning, but also will build the knowledge base of your membership. You will:
- Customize your curriculum and learning
- Get an immediate return on investment (ROI) from the certificate program
- Solve some of your organization’s issues
- Create and share learning materials that are usable with your ERG members and multiple ERG leaders NOW and in the future
Meet Our Researchers
Our award-winning research scientists, affiliates and practitioners help companies drive performance by providing leading-edge research, practical tools, and a wealth of experience.
Theresa M. Welbourne
Affiliated Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Theresa Welbourne’s work focuses on human capital and leadership strategies that drive growth, innovation and high performance. She is known for her work on employee energy and how energy, direction and confidence come together to stimulate and sustain high sense of urgency cultures and organizational growth.
Sharoni Little
Affiliated Research Scientist
Sharoni Denise Little is Associate Dean, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer & Professor of Clinical Business Communication at USC Marshall School of Business and an award-winning teacher, researcher, and mentor. A renowned author, global facilitator, and media commentator, Sharoni’s research and expertise centers on organizational leadership, strategic communication, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Beth Chung
Affiliated Research Scientist
Beth Chung is a Professor of Management. She is currently the Director for the Institute on Inclusiveness and Diversity in Organizations (IIDO) and Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Outreach Committee for San Diego State University. She is also past research director for the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming. She has taught a variety of courses including Diversity Issues, Organizational Behavior, Leadership and Group Process, Human Resource Management, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Cathleen Clerkin
Affiliated Research Scientist
Cathleen Clerkin is a Senior Research Faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), and is based out of Charlottesville, VA. She is a scientific researcher with experience in industrial-organizational psychology, social and personality psychology, positive psychology and applied social cognitive neuroscience.