Employee Resource Groups: Unlocking their Inclusive Power and Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), staff networks, faculty learning communities, or business resource groups are often touted as essential drivers of inclusivity within organizations. They can offer employees a space for informal mentorship, group issue advocacy, shared purpose, and even help foster a sense of belonging. Even so, while their potential to promote cross-cultural awareness, support employee engagement, and drive organizational change is undeniable when implemented without adequate frameworks, ERGs can face challenges that impact their effectiveness.

Join us for this episode of Translocating Inclusion, where we will discuss the frameworks and strategies to maximize the benefits of employee networks and address common pitfalls. Our guest, Charlene Oke, Global Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, oversees the firm's more than 30 ERGs and comprehensive diversity, inclusion, and belonging programs. Ms. Oke will contextualize the transformative impact of ERGs on employee engagement, retention, and organizational culture, as well as challenges such as balancing inclusivity across diverse groups, securing leadership support, and avoiding the unintended consequence of reinforcing silos.

This interactive discussion will focus on authentic and effective implementation. Attendees will receive actionable suggestions for structuring and empowering employee network groups to align with broader organizational inclusion and belonging objectives. Whether you are a DEI professional, team leader, or staff network member, this session will provide valuable perspective on navigating the complexities of these critical employee spaces.