Employee resource groups can be hugely beneficial for workforces. We spoke to four different ERG representatives from Amgen to find out more.
An important part of working at a company is experiencing belonging and inclusion. Developing a sense of community in a workforce ensures maximum productivity and staff retention. One way that companies often foster this sense of community is through the use of employee resource groups (ERGs). To find out how ERGs benefit a company, we visited Amgen to talk to representatives of four different ERGs.
“Employees want to work at companies where they feel heard,” says Michelle McManus, who is a member of the Women Empowered to be Exceptional ERG (WE2).
Through her participation in WE2, McManus says her confidence and sense of personal development has benefited greatly, and the ERG has left her feeling empowered.
Similarly, the benefits of personal development and growth are also experienced by Evan Hassett, a member of the Amgen Early Career Professionals (AECP). Hassett joined the AECP when he first started at Amgen, as the ERG provides new hires with networking opportunities.
According to Sofia Kivotidi, the Pride LGBTQ and Allies Network ERG fosters a strong sense of community through multiple events, for example it hosted a talk with Moninne Griffith, the CEO of Belong To, who discussed issues experienced by LGBTQ+ youth.
Oisín Langan, an Amgen International Network (AIN) committee member, spoke about how AIN frequently organises events showcasing the international cultures of the Amgen workforce and how it helps international employees settle into their new roles.
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Words by Colin Ryan
