May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to highlight the ongoing importance of supporting employee wellness in all its forms.
While workplace safety and environmental compliance remain essential, many organizations are expanding their Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) strategies to include a focus on emotional wellness and mental health. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a powerful way to enhance these efforts – offering your employees an outlet for connection, belonging, and empowerment.
Originally designed to foster inclusion and build community, ERGs are now also emerging as a vital platform to support mental wellness, reduce stigmas, and bridge the gaps often seen between employee concerns and employer support. As companies strive to build more resilient and engaged workforces, ERGs are becoming an increasingly important and effective part of broader EHS and wellness strategies.
Launching and Sustaining ERGs
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) offer a unique opportunity to strengthen mental health support within your organization by creating inclusive spaces for employees to share experiences and access resources. When launching ERGs focused on mental wellness, it’s important to ensure they reflect your company’s values and incorporate input from HR and mental health advocates.
The following steps outline how to build and sustain ERGs that promote emotional well-being—guidance that can be applied to any type of group you may want to form:
Conduct internal research and planning
- Example: Send out a survey to understand what ERGs are meaningful to employees and would further support their well-being
Get leadership buy-in
Establish ERG working committees – encourage employees with leadership qualities to spearhead specific ERG efforts
Spread the word about your company’s ERGs through internal communication channels:
- Internal chat platforms like Teams or Slack
- Physical posters
Provide ongoing company support and additional resources as needed
Evaluate ERG participation and implement new ERGs as needed
ERGs Support Professional Development and Social Connections
ERGs offer much more than a support network—they’re a platform for professional growth and meaningful connection. When leveraged effectively, ERGs provide employees with a safe environment to share ideas, develop leadership skills, and influence company culture. These groups also create opportunities for skill-building that extend beyond the ERG itself, helping members advance in their careers.
Beyond professional benefits, ERGs foster a sense of belonging by connecting employees through shared experiences. This sense of community helps individuals feel valued and heard, often opening doors to mentorship and ongoing personal and professional development.
Harnessing ERGs to Empower Employees and Drive Success
ERGs can foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity, enhancing the onboarding experience, reducing turnover, boosting morale, addressing underlying issues, identifying personal growth opportunities, and inspiring creativity and innovation – all of which ultimately support employee performance and well-being.
Let's explore eight powerful ways ERGs can help create a supportive and thriving workplace:
Demonstrate Commitment to Inclusivity: Establishing ERGs demonstrates your company’s understanding of the challenges employees face at work and your commitment to providing a safe space for sharing experiences and providing solutions.
Foster a Sense of Belonging: ERGs give employees a place to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged, fostering a sense of community.
Improve New Employee Onboarding: Onboarding is a critical component of an employee’s overall experience. ERGs help new employees get involved and quickly establish connections with coworkers.
Reduce Employee Turnover: By promoting workplace inclusivity, ERGs show employees that your organization is committed to investing in their health and well-being, which helps improve retention and reduce turnover.
Boost Morale and Engagement: ERGs offer employees a platform to communicate issues and brainstorm ideas. When employees see that their company is creating an employee-friendly environment, morale and engagement improve.
Highlight Underlying Issues: Employees who are hesitant to bring an issue to management may feel more comfortable sharing concerns with ERG members, helping to uncover underlying problems.
Identify Talent Gaps and Develop Leaders: ERGs can reveal an employee's leadership skills through their interactions within the group. This helps your organization identify employees with leadership potential and connect them with mentoring opportunities.
Spur Creativity and Innovation: A diverse and inclusive workforce, supported by ERGs, provides a space where employees can build on each other’s ideas and learn from one another, driving creativity and innovation.
Mental Health Awareness Month is an ideal time for organizations to consider the important role ERGs can play in promoting emotional wellness. Beyond their community-building origins, ERGs have proven to be key resources in supporting mental health and cultivating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and heard. Investing in these groups helps create a healthier, more engaged workforce—benefiting both your employees and your organization.
