Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a workplace culture of belonging aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives.
Anyone who meets eligibility criteria (below) is welcome to join any Employee Resource Group.
Mission/Focus
ERGs are intended to provide opportunities for employee networking, professional and personal development activities, improve cultural understanding among employees, improve retention efforts, align with UW Health and SMPH mission and values.
Who can become a member
Applications for new members are accessible at the button below throughout the year. This helps ensure commitment and shared understanding of purpose. Please reach out to Afra Smith, Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, at asmith9@uwhealth.org with any questions you have.
Members will be allowed to take reasonable time from their normal work duties to participate in ERG activities as long as their unit’s work needs and their own work performance are not impacted negatively. An employee’s active participation in an ERG should be noted in their individual development plans and discussions.
Members are not required to attend every meeting but are encouraged to do so when able. We recognize that personal or work-related issues may require members to leave the ERG or to not be present for an extended period. ERG members may step down from the ERG at any time. Employees can have unlimited membership while they maintain employment at UW Health or SMPH if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
ERG membership eligibility is determined by the following:
- SMPH (Faculty and Staff) or UW Health employee*
- Faculty, staff, postdocs and graduate students with appointments such as teaching assistant, research assistants or project assistants, are eligible.
- Must work at least 0.5 FTE
- Has a Supervisor Statement of Support submitted by their current supervisor
*Here is a list of additional groups, outside of those listed above, that are not eligible: employees in training, student employees, limited appointees, student assistants (except those listed above), interns, student hourly employees, and temporary employees (reference).
List of Employee Resource Groups
- Black/African/African American
- PRIDE (LGBTQ+)
- Women’s
- Military Service Membership
- LatinX
- Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander
- Disability and Neurodiversity
- BIPOC Resident & Fellow
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
What is an ERG?
- Voluntary, employee-led Employee Resource Groups (“ERG”) that foster a workplace culture of belonging aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives.
- ERGs are intended to provide opportunities for employee networking, professional and personal development activities, improve cultural understanding among employees, improve retention efforts, align with UW Health and SMPH mission and values.
- Formalized under a charter, an ERG supports its members and the organization. The ERGs are made up of engaged employees aligned with the ERG’s focus. Members can learn more about and occasionally provide feedback on new and future initiatives at UW Health and SMPH that may impact the ERG.
- ERGs help support the communication of new ideas and can ask questions and bring forward employee concerns.
- An ERG gives an opportunity for employees to provide input with a clear pathway up the leadership chain of command to the Associate Dean for Diversity & Equity Transformation.
Is anyone able to join the Employee Resource Groups?
- All UW Health & SMPH employees (staff and faculty) are welcome to join any ERG that they have an interest in. The only requirements are that the individual be an employee, have supervisor support, and are committed to the goals and initiatives within the ERG. If the employee gets put into corrective action at any point, supervisors can reassess staff participation.
Can employees participate in more than one ERG?
- It is possible that an employee may choose to participate in multiple ERGs; however, their engagement should be reviewed with their supervisor to manage their time.
Why are ERGs important to UW Health’s and SMPH’s Mission and Values?
They provide opportunity for the following:
- Promote employee engagement and contribution across units
- Promote collaboration between employees and leadership
- Increase retention
- Provide personal and professional leadership development of members
- Foster the transfer of knowledge up, down and across
- Promote innovation
- Provide a framework of support and sense of belonging through developing peer support networks
- Help strengthen transitions for new employees
- Make recommendations in service development and delivery
How often do ERGs typically meet?
- Once a month for 1-2 hours.
- Co-Chairs in each ERG will also meet monthly with the other ERG co-chairs for 2 hours/month.
How many hours will employees be away from their unit for ERG activities?
- The estimated time per year for participation would be 15-20 hours (1-hour monthly meetings – not counting any subcommittee participation or additional volunteer activities or events). It is up to the employee and supervisor to agree upon the level of participation. All meeting dates will try to be booked in advance to help leaders and employees plan their work schedules.
How will this impact productivity time in my unit?
- If this throws off productivity in a unit, please notify our department. This data will be important for us as we structure future Employee Resource Groups.
Will employees be allowed to participate on work time?
- Yes, if employees attend under their regular schedule, they will be released during work time to attend meetings. However, if the meeting comes during an off hour/not on regular time they would need to be compensated during this time outside of regular hours for employees paid on an hourly basis. Outside of meetings, other social events will not be covered.
How do employees get involved in ERGs?
- The application is accessible via this form. Please contact Afra Smith at asmith9@uwhealth.org with any questions.
- Members are not required to attend every meeting but are encouraged to do so when able. We recognize that personal or work-related issues may require members to leave the ERG or to not be present for an extended period. ERG members may step down from the ERG at any time. Employees can have unlimited membership while they maintain employment at UW Health or SMPH if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
- ERG Membership eligibility is determined by the following:
- UW Health or SMPH employee (staff or faculty)
- Must work at least 0.5 FTE
- Has a Supervisor Statement of Support submitted by their current supervisor
What have organizations experienced regarding benefits of ERGs over time?
- Supervisors whose teams participate in ERG activities have lower voluntary turnover than those who don’t.
- Supervisors whose teams are involved in an ERG have higher engagement of employees. Positive outcomes also found for employees whose supervisors were engaged as individuals as well.
- Results also demonstrated that participation more than once a year helps supervisors and employees act on the shared organizational value of creating spaces for belonging.
What can supervisors do?
- Bring a learning/education to your team. Contact our team for more information.
- Do some microlearnings with your team. Set aside time for discussion.
- Attend events as a team. Set aside time to debrief.
- Make time for employees to join ERGs and attend events.
What are some tips on how to be an ERG supportive supervisor?
- Your employee is participating in a committee that will impact engagement, development, retention, and the goals of the organization. Capturing employee involvement in their performance reviews would be a great way to recognize their commitment.
- If you have multiple employees engaged in the same ERG, plan where they can take turns attending monthly meetings and share notes with each other.