Leveraging Employee Resource Groups

More than 150 PG&E employees, families and friends participated in the annual San Francisco AIDS Walk last year. Coordinated by PG&E's PrideNetwork and Black Employees Association, the employees raised approximately $36,750 for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and other local service organizations.

For more than a quarter of a century, PG&E's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have contributed significantly to enhancing an inclusive culture, through workshops, programs and networking events.

PG&E's nine ERGs are open to all employees and provide opportunities to build leadership skills, cultural awareness, networking and community outreach. They are InspirAsian (Asian), BEA (Black), Samahan (Filipino), Latino (Hispanic), Nu NRG (new to the workforce or company), Pride Network (LGBT), Women's Network (Women), Legacy (long-term work experience) and Access Network (individuals with a disability)—with the last two groups added in 2010.

For example, the ERGs created a successful mentoring and career development program that was adopted company-wide and is now incorporated into the company's overarching human resources strategy.

Also, as a direct outcome of PrideNetwork's recommendation, effective 2010, individuals who are vested in the company's retirement plan can designate a beneficiary to receive a survivor's pension, regardless of marital status. Previously this benefit applied only to spouses.

In 2009, the ERGs increased their membership by 26 percent and now represent 3,000 employees, or 15 percent of PG&E's workforce, with leaders and area contacts in 18 chapters. The ERGs also granted $246,000 in scholarships to 157 college-bound students, bringing the total to $1.85 million since 1989. The recipients spanned high schools throughout northern and central California.