First Onsite wanted to raise awareness through thought leadership articles by our leaders all over the country. Ally O’Dell was the first leader we felt ready to highlight. After interviewing her about First Onsite’s first employee resource group, I wrote this article soft promoting her and the Phoenix collective.
First Onsite Property Restoration believes in its people, and I am one of them. I’m also a woman who believes in empowering other women to reach their career goals and be rewarded for the talent they bring to work. Their happiness is more fulfilled when they are seen, treated fairly, and given an opportunity to succeed.
I’m proud of the initiatives and philosophy that First Onsite consistently practices in furthering the empowerment of its female workforce and professionals. So, when I introduced the concept of an Employee Resource Group (ERG) to some of my team members, we were confident it would be received with support from our senior leadership. ERGs are employee-led groups that allow people to come together under a common cause. By promoting and sponsoring ERGs, organizations like First Onsite are supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) through their team members who want to play a role in this effort.
Subsequently, we were able to create The Phoenix Collective where every First Onsite employee can come to listen, learn, provide support, foster networking, and grow an internal community of allies and advocates dedicated to promoting the equality of women and those who identify as women in the disaster restoration industry.
The Phoenix Collective continues to cultivate an environment within First Onsite Property Restoration that recognizes the unique contributions women make in the workplace.
Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are imperative for businesses to stay relevant and competitive. Creating employee-led resource groups is one way that an organization can navigate toward a positive image in the social consciousness and elevate it to greater heights.
Are you ready to help your organization become more forward-thinking? Here are a few things to keep in mind when starting an employee resource group within your organization.
Employee Resource Groups are Open to Everyone
Employee resource groups welcome all employees, regardless of how they identify. The Phoenix Collective is open to everyone–you don’t need to be a woman to support women. As allies, your counterparts will help elevate the cause and bring you one step closer to a workplace where all can reach their goals without bias.
Empower Your Members to Use Their Voice
These groups are about fostering a sense of belonging and support. This is something they may not feel they have in their day-to-day, and it can be hard finding the nerve to speak up. Make sure that your members are given a safe space that welcomes them and gives them a platform to be heard.
Create a Network with Resources
While ERGs are about bringing people together under a common cause, they should also find constructive ways to advance that cause within the organization. This means providing members with educational opportunities, events, and other activities that will help them network and grow their resource pool.
Be a Force for Positive Change
While The Phoenix Collective exists to empower women in the workplace, it doesn’t support negativity or exclusivity. The focus should always be on future collaboration done with a spirit of respect and shared purpose.
Find Executive Support
Any employee within an organization can start an employee resource group, but it is advisable to gain support from an executive. This ensures that your group falls in line with the company’s values, and sight of what’s important to the organization is not lost. This also has the potential to increase the exposure of your group to the employees who might find it helpful.
Looking toward 2023
The Phoenix Collective has some major goals for 2023. We hope to foster our own educational programs, events, and activities while offering a safe and encouraging space for safety and well-being. We’ll also come up with ideas to share with leadership that can effectively support our cause and strengthen our voice within the organization.
Society has pushed for change, making DE&I a must for organizations to stay resilient. First Onsite sees that need for change and continues to support our push for female empowerment. At First Onsite, we live by our values, and doing the right thing is most important to us. Talks have already begun for the creation of more ERGs within our organization, and we look forward with excitement and positivity as we strive for lasting change.