Employee Resource Groups build communities of belonging
Posted Friday, November 19, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Dear Colleagues, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) – the bedrock of a robust organization – are voluntary, employee-led groups made up of individuals that come together based on common interests such as gender, race, ethnicity, ability, and the like. They can truly help establish shared spaces where members of an organization can feel a sense of community and belonging.
Did you know that we have eight employee resource groups at UC Davis Health?
- African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA)
- Asian Pacific American Systemwide Alliance (APASA)
- DiversABILITY (DiversABILITY)
- Latinx Staff and Faculty Association (LSFA)
- PRIDE - LGBTQ+ (PRIDE)
- Staff Assembly
- Status of Women at Davis Administrative Advisory Committee (SWDAAC)
- Veteran Employee Association (VEA)
Quotes from ERG leads
Elizabeth Dennis-Bell, hospital operations administrative officer and treasurer of the AAFSA ERG, said, “ERGs are a safe place for employees to discuss organizational challenges, seek career guidance, training and coaching that they may not have the opportunity to receive in their current departments.”
Carolyn Ramirez, internal communications program manager and chair of the DiversABILITY ERG, said, “You don’t have to identify as an employee with a disability to join DiversABILITY or identify as a veteran to join the Veterans Employee Association. What matters most is that you want to create a culture of belonging for everyone here at the health system.”
Jojo Melendres, registered nurse, emergency department case manager and interim chair of the APASA ERG, said, “Belonging to an ERG reminds me of the good ol’ days of high school clubs where you find a warm family group outside of your home, but within the professional work environment.”
Why were ERGs formed and why do they continue today?
ERGs, also referred to in some organizations as “affinity groups,” were originally formed in the 1960s in response to racial tension in the workplace. Since then, resource groups continue to help organizations stretch by raising awareness of issues surrounding racism, ableism, health inequities, gender biases (and more) in the workplace. This often leads to a dynamic rethinking of how to best create an all-encompassing and inclusive workplace. At UC Davis Health, AAFSA, LSFA and PRIDE – to name a few ERGs – have existed for more than 10 years. Other ERGs, such as DiversABILITY, are “new” and recently re-established. No matter how seasoned or novel an ERG may be, however, they have all succeeded in creating communities of belonging. Such communities are where people know they can improve the employee experience and connect deeply with their colleagues, while also feeling supported in their career development and able to explore ways to link the organization with the surrounding community.
The ERGs at UC Davis Health provide that space and community for so many employees. So, in celebration of National Employee Resource Group Day (Nov. 17) earlier this week – and on behalf of the Office for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – let’s extend our collective gratitude and recognition to our eight ERGs for their outstanding efforts in bringing positive change and greater diversity and inclusion to UC Davis Health. Finally, many opportunities exist to participate in ERG meetings, events, and activities throughout the year. To learn more, please visit the employee resource group webpage. Meanwhile, please keep an eye out for upcoming Insider articles about each of the ERGs, too.
Yours in health,
Ceasor Dennis
Senior Director for Institutional Culture, Climate & Community Engagement
Office for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion UC Davis Health