Across all industries, organizations commonly leverage employee resource groups (ERGs) to drive diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Also known as affinity groups, business resource groups, or employee networks, what’s more important than what ERGs are called is how they function. While creating a sense of community and belonging is a key benefit of ERGs, too often organizations perceive the sole function of ERGs as a social gathering mechanism for employees with a shared identity or interest. For underleveraged ERGs, this can sometimes be the case. However, many organizations have tapped into the power of ERGs as an impactful vehicle to drive strategic priorities and business outcomes, in addition to diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement.

Five key health care-specific enablers of effective employee resource group programs

Hospitals and health systems seeking to leverage ERGs face unique challenges and opportunities to maximize their impact. On one hand, ERGs must operate amid unique variables of the health care environment (e.g., shift-based work, fast-paced and patient-centered workload). On the other hand, health care ERGs are specially positioned to provide actionable insight and perspective on different patient populations, making a clear impact on the health system’s strategic priorities. There are five key health care-specific enablers of effective employee resource group programs:

1. Require executive level commitment
2. Carve out and encourage dedicated time for participation
3. Hardwire a flexible but consistent governance structure
4. Align activity to the organization’s strategic priorities
5. Emphasize inclusion through cross-collaboration and allies

Case profiles: How four organizations brought these five key enablers to life

Northwell Health

Northwell Health is a 23-hospital health system with more than 700 outpatient facilities serving New York state. Learn about its BERG program.

Supporting resources:

• Northwell's sample BERG business charter
• Northwell's D&I Project Manager job description
• Northwell’s 2018 Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Report

Children’s Minnesota

Children’s Minnesota is a 2-hospital pediatric health system with 12 primary care clinics, six rehabilitation sites, and nine specialty care sites. Learn about its ERG program.

Supporting resources:

• Children's Minnesota's sample ERG business charter

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick is a 600-bed AMC part of RWJBarnabas Health. Learn about its BRG program.

Supporting resources:

• RWJUH's Business Resource Group brochure

UMass Memorial Health Care

UMass Memorial Health Care (UMMHC) is a 3-hospital health system with affiliated urgent care centers, and is the clinical partner of UMass Medical School. Learn about its ERG program.

Supporting resources:

• UMMHC's Executive Sponsorship guidelines
• UMMHC's “Join an ERG” marketing flyer
• UMMHC's ERG budget and goals form
• UMMHC's ERG participation agreement form