Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are pivotal in shaping inclusive workplaces and driving employee engagement.
At Kyndryl, our ERGs are called Kyndryl Inclusion Networks (KINs). They are company-sponsored, employee-led resource groups open to all Kyndryls and dedicated to creating spaces where they can find and provide support and advice.
“Supported by senior-level executive sponsors, KINs support our ID&E strategic priorities and play a vital role in our inclusive environment where Kyndryls are valued and empowered to succeed,” said Karima Bryant, Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer at Kyndryl. “We have 70 local KIN chapters in over 20 countries, who are essential to advancing our Kyndryl Way culture, which focuses on empowering inclusive teams and fueling our strength of belonging.”
To celebrate International ERG Day, held annually on Nov. 17, a few of Kyndryl’s customers — the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Foundation, The Very Group, BT Group and Kantar — share insights into how ERGs within their organizations foster a culture of trust and purpose, helping employees thrive and businesses meet their goals.
Head, Global Social Impact and Deputy Director
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation
HPE’s greatest strength comes from its diverse team, and its RGs play a vital role in fostering a culture of unconditional inclusion. Diversity, equity and inclusion are ingrained in who we are today because we know they’re what will help us perform better as a company. Our ability to advance how people live and work hinges on our people contributing their diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to drive innovation.
Despite widespread recognition of the importance of DEI initiatives, RGs face challenges — we must actively include all diverse identities and lived experiences, foster psychological safety and trust, and invest in building a more just and fair society. Long-term commitment, leadership engagement and regular participation in activities can help keep us honest and invested in fostering a more inclusive workplace. By doing so, we deepen our understanding, challenge ourselves to be better allies and advocates by constantly listening to our team members’ experiences, and hold each other accountable for driving inclusion.
At The Very Group, ERGs bring colleagues from diverse backgrounds together through events like street campaigns that promote visibility and allyship. Table talks provide safe spaces for honest conversations about important topics like mental health and menopause, with resources available to guide these discussions.
ERGs at our organization focus on allyship and intersectionality, recognizing how different aspects of a person’s identity — such as age, gender and health — intersect and shape unique experiences. Recognizing these intersections is key to understanding the richness of diverse experiences. By creating these spaces and providing resources, our ERGs make Very more supportive and welcoming for everyone.
Head of Digital Voice Program, Chair of Gender Equality Network
BT Group
At BT Group, “inclusion” is at the core of every decision and is embedded into every team and colleague experience. ERGs, or People Networks as we call them, are essential to giving our colleagues a sense of community to learn, share and grow in safe environments.
ERGs act as the “voice of the people” by working closely with inclusion teams to anonymously share feedback on how colleagues feel. They also help educate employees on policy changes and inclusion strategies, and they celebrate key moments like International Women’s Day, Pride, Careers Week and Black History Month, to name a few. These groups bring together colleagues from all walks of life to celebrate key moments.
ERGs are the heartbeat of how we bring our global I&D strategy to life at Kantar. We launched Kantar’s first enERGise week during International ERG Day 2023. Since then, our ERGs have grown so much, confidently leading the business on moments that matter by celebrating cultural differences and engaging in meaningful — and sometimes uncomfortable — conversations to drive allyship and awareness.
ERG work often goes beyond regular job roles. Because of that, we’ve been thoughtful in how we recognize and reward our ERG Leads, turning this into a global career development opportunity with ample chance to do just that — lead on important projects that steer Kantar toward a more inclusive future.
