It's a new trend emerging in corporate Milwaukee -- workplace resource groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender indentified employees.
Today, 14 prominent companies now offer networks called Employee Resource Groups, or ERGs. In the last year, 8 new corporations created groups supporting their LGBT employees, according to Paul Fairchild at the Cream City Foundation.
"Corporations are realizing the value that LGBT people bring to the workplace," Fairchild said. "If you want to recruit and retain talent, you have to be able to bring your whole self to work."
Local companies with ERGs include Rockwell Automation, Northwestern Mutual, MillerCoors, Associated Bank, BMO Harris Bank, G.E. Healthcare, S.C. Johnson, R.W. Baird, LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Controls, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, WE Energies, and Diverse and Resilient, according to Fairchild.
The Cream City Foundation, a local non-profit LGBT advocacy organization, works with corporations to create ERGs. It hosts regular luncheons where corporate leaders can learn best practices for creating them and guiding companies through the process.
Contact Cream City Foundation directly at (414) 225-0244 for more information.
