The role and structure of employee resource groups (ERGs) has evolved in recent years as businesses recognize the value creation both for participants AND for the bottom line.
For example, according to a recent USA Today article, Google is leveraging its ERGs to increase the gender and ethnic diversity of its largest developer conference, I/O. AT&T, with a recent goal to hire 20,000 veterans by 2020, relies on its veterans ERG to mentor and support veterans transitioning into the company.
At Symantec our ERGs directly support business goals such as increasing the diversity of our workforce at all levels of the company by 15 percent by 2020, and completing an average of four volunteer hours per employee by 2020, among others.
ERGs at Symantec and many other companies originated as networks or affinity groups – the gathering of individuals from similar backgrounds who share a common culture or common characteristics and have a desire to connect. While this proved a solid model in the past, today leaders in diversity feel they should be structured like any other business initiative - rooted in strategic objectives and measurable outcomes.
At Symantec, we have five active ERGs, each led by a global executive sponsor – a representative from Symantec’s executive leadership team. Executive sponsors are responsible for advocating internally and externally on behalf of the group.
- Symantec Women’s Action Network (SWAN)
“As the Global Executive Sponsor for SWAN, I love that I have the opportunity to engage with and learn from passionate female leaders in our company, and to support them in creating opportunities for women at all levels to thrive at Symantec.” – Sheila Jordan, SVP and Chief Information Officer
- Symantec’s Black Employee Resource Group (SyBER)
“I look forward to leading SyBER as the Global Executive Sponsor, creating opportunities for employees to drive business performance, celebrate their culture and work together to open doors for others. Taking opportunities to network and expand my skills is what I believe has propelled me forward in my career and I look forward to helping our employees do the same."– Scott Taylor, EVP and General Counsel
- Symantec’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies (LGBTA) Group (SymPride)
“As SymPride's Global Executive Sponsor, I couldn’t be more proud to lead this expanding group of dedicated employees across Symantec who continue to ensure we are a workplace that embodies acceptance and inclusivity for all employees."– Fran Rosch, EVP and GM, Norton Business Unit
- Symantec’s Veteran Employees and Troop Support (VETS)
"As the Global Executive Sponsor for Symantec’s Veterans ERG, I am proud to support the efforts of our employees who have also served our country. This group of employees has a unique impact on our organization and I am thrilled to champion them at Symantec.” – Tim Fitzgerald, VP and Chief Security Officer
- Symantec New and Aspiring Professionals (SNAP)
"Symantec’s New and Aspiring Professionals group brings together the future leaders of our company. As their Global Executive Sponsor, I am inspired by their energy, passion and desire to learn and grow within our organization as well as build their foundation for longstanding and impactful careers.” – Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, SVP and Chief HR Officer
Executive sponsors help the ERG set and deliver against its strategy that is aligned to key business impact areas including:
- Employees: Engaging employees, building cultural awareness, and increasing all employees’ knowledge of the key issues for specific groups. For example, SymPride has been central in the development of various corporate policies for LGBT employees. SWAN has developed a formal mentoring program and hosted leadership training sessions, and SNAP hosted a 401k educational session for millennials. We also tap into our SWAN, VETS, SNAP and SyBER ERGs to assist with recruiting new talent.
- Community: Serving as an ambassador for the company in the community. Our ERG members volunteer and engage their community to advocate for issues. For example, SymPride recently launched a chapter in India that is a first of its kind in the country, advocating for LGBT rights. SyBER hosted the VIP tent at the San Jose Juneteenth Festival to bring awareness to the importance of cultural awareness in community partnerships.
- Marketplace: Driving innovation, and engaging customers to join and support the work of the ERGs. For example, our SWAN groups worldwide host women’s leadership panels in partnership with some of our customers and community partners.
One thing we cannot dispute – there is power in numbers and bringing people together from different levels and different functions has a profound impact on an individual and corporate level.
The more we can provide a platform for our employees to band together around the issues they are passionate about, the stronger and more prosperous our company will continue to be into the future.
Markus Achord is Symantec's Manager, Diversity & Inclusion.