WHOOP Inclusion & Diversity

What are the keys required to establish a successful ERG program? 

Finding your why! Lots of ERG programs start with the hopes of pushing employee engagement, but what does that really mean? A successful ERG program is way more than just events; it’s about promoting an inclusive workplace and pushing organizations to really look inward when it comes to policies and procedures. ERGs can also be a space of support for new employees, so it’s important for programs to think about how they welcome in new hires.

What are some common mistakes companies make when doing this, and how can ERG leaders avoid these pitfalls?

When establishing an ERG program, most companies think more about events and less about the ERG’s purpose, mission and goals. When ERGs get started, the group often has a ton of ideas, which are all great, but it’s important to start off slowly and intentionally. Get employees involved by holding meetings, confirming leads and establishing the goals of the ERG for at least the next six months up to one year. 

When a team member is interested in establishing a new ERG, it’s critical to ask the organization why this particular group is needed, what they’re hoping to achieve by creating it and how they’re going to accomplish this. All of this should happen before the group is scheduled to meet and hold any events. This ensures that anyone interested in joining the group has a clear understanding of its goals and objectives.

How do you maintain an ERG program and adapt it to meet the needs of employees while keeping engagement levels high? 

It’s critical for ERG leaders to check in regularly with members to see what they want out of the group. Not every ERG needs to host events every month; a lot of them also serve as support channels and resources for employees. I think it’s important for leaders to remember that and check in with others to ensure they’re doing that. There are a number of ways to do this, such as by surveying the group, which enables team members to give anonymous feedback if needed. 

In terms of keeping engagement high, it’s important for ERGs to establish what engagement looks like to them, because it should be about more than just who’s showing up to events. It could involve those contributing in the Slack channel, those generating new ideas for policy changes or perhaps engaging with a local chapter of a national organization that aligns with the ERG’s goals and mission. Defining what engagement means for you and your ERG structure is crucial for maintaining strong participation.