Employer Perspective: Employee Resource Groups

Tyler Gould, Campus Manager for University Relations at Eaton, is back this week to talk about Employee Resource Groups and researching them when looking into a prospective employer.

Employee Resource Groups are small groups within organizations that represent different types of people, whether it be ethnicity, backgrounds, or interests. Joining an Employee Resource Group (or ERGs as they are often referred to) is a great way to connect with other individuals within your company and to network. Often found within larger organizations, joining an ERG can make one feel more included and welcome, especially for those who identify as a minority.

During your job search, do research on if an organization has ERGs and if so, how many.

• How many people are a part of them?
• Are they only at the main corporate office or at regional, local sites across the country as well?
• What events do they put on and how well are they attended?

These are all questions you can ask during your interview or if connecting with a recruiter at a campus event.

Check out Eaton’s eight (and counting) Employee Resource Groups to get an idea! These include: Women Adding Value at Eaton (WAVE), Eaton Pride, iConnect (Connecting Black, African American, and People of Color), ENGAGE (Eaton Next Generation Achieving Goals and Excellence), enABLE (People with Disabilities or Managing Special Needs), SOAR (Strengthening our Asian Resources), #VAMOS! (Hispanic and Latino Resource Group), and Veterans (Connecting our Military Veterans and Supporters).

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” - Coretta Scott King