Veritext - Employee Resource Groups
Challenge
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) provide employees with a structured way to share their voices, influence company culture, and contribute to meaningful change. We wanted to bring together individuals with shared identities or interests, and ERGs help increase diversity of thought and foster more inclusive decision-making. They also create safe, supportive spaces where employees can connect, build community, and feel a stronger sense of belonging at work.
Actions
Starting in Q2 2024, Veritext established Employee Resource Groups named VIVID Groups (Voices Inside Veritext Impacting Diversity). Veritext launched the following 3 VIVID Groups:
- The DiversAbility SPACE VIVID Group – Provides a space for those who identify as having a disability or allies
- The LGBTQIA2S+ VIVID Group – Provides a space for those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ or allies
- The Veterans VIVID Group - Provides a space for those who identify as Veterans or allies
Starting in Q1 2025, an additional VIVID Group was established:
- The Sustainability VIVID Group – Provides a space for those who champion sustainability efforts in their professional and personal lives
Outcomes
Over 12 months, the DiversAbility SPACE, LGBTQIA2S+, and Veterans groups grew their membership by 72%, 73%, and 40% respectively. The Sustainability group grew membership by 47% over a six-month period. As a result of these groups, several company-wide initiatives were made, including bringing in a guest speaker to celebrate Veterans Day in 2024, and creating a “Supporting Veritext Employees with Disabilities” course available for Veritext employees to enroll in, among other awareness events and VIVID Group celebrations that were open to all Veritext employees.
Starting in Q3 2025, two additional ERGs will launch:
- The Asian Pacific Islander VIVID Group – Provides a space for those who identify as Asian Pacific Islander or allies
- The Women’s VIVID Group – Provides a space for those who identify as a woman or allies
The VIVID Groups at Veritext are continuing to grow and provide a community of meaningful connection. We will continue to create new VIVID Groups as our employees voice their needs for additional identities and interests.
Quote
Our advancements with our overall DEI initiatives are further along because of the leadership [our VIVID Group Leaders] have provided. The openness, comfort level, education, and inspiring setting each of the leaders provided has allowed us to create a safe, productive and engaging start to our groups. This foundation has been both necessary and imperative! We’ve learned a lot – we will be able to share our learnings forward with the next group of leaders...