companies with Faith Based employee resource groups
Thank to the faithful research of some faith driven investors, interviews were had with Faith Based ERG contacts to organize the companies using employee groups within their organization. Below is a sample of these groups—from one of the largest retail chains in the country, to car manufacturers, to insurance, these groups are on the rise.
target
Religious Groups: Muslim, Jewish, and Christian.
There are hundreds ‘recognized employee groups’ at Target—ranging from wellbeing, technology support, personal development, culture, and religion. It’s impossible to list them all.
Target specifically allows hobby groups, alumni groups, faith groups, and other types to exist. An interesting note is that Target D&I leader has periodic “listening sessions” to foster discussion.
apple
Religious Groups: Apple Christian Fellowship, Apple Jewish Association, Apple Muslim Association
Apple believes that a welcoming community is important not just for Veterans, but for all employees. Therefore, they created Diversity Network Associations (DNAs), which are communities centered around shared interests and beliefs.
These groups include Agnostic Community at Apple, Apple Christian Fellowship, Apple Jewish Association, Apple Muslim Association, and Apply Sikhi Association.
american express
Religious Groups: Christian Employee Network (SALT), Jewish Employee Network (CHAI), Muslim Employee Network (PEACE)
As a part of the strategy at American Express, they remain globally focused on diversity and inclusion, while recognizing the local nuances in the key markets where they operate.
They refer to their ERGs as “Employee Networks” and the religious organization they incorporate include Jewish, Muslim, and Christian groups. They also have Employee Networks for people of different nationalities, genders, and generations, as well as groups for people with disabilities and veterans.
medtronic
Religious Groups: Christian Employee Resource Group (CERG), Muslims for Carrying Out the Medtronic Mission (MCOM)
According to Medtronic, ERGs provide strategic priorities documents that align with Medtronic business priorities.
Their official ERGs range from religious organizations to people with disabilities, to groups for different races, genders, and worldviews.
Religious Group: Inter Belief Network
Google has 15 official ERGs. As opposed to having different groups for different religions, however, they have what is called their Inter Belief Network.
IBN consists of multiple member chapters representing specific communities of interest, including but not limited to: Buddhists, Christians, Jewglers (a term for Jewish Googlers), and Muslims.
Religious Group: Interfaith@ (includes Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and others)
“Facebook Resource Groups” welcome employees from all faiths and spiritual groups to practice and celebrate their beliefs. They believe that enabling an open dialog to foster understanding of different belief systems creates an environment that is truly open and inclusive.
Their Interfaith@ resource group includes Christians, Muslims, Jews, as well as others.
ameriprise
Religious Groups: Jewish Employee Network (CHAI), Muslim Employees Connecting and Contributing to Ameriprise (MECCA), Christian Employee Network (SALT), Christian Franchise Advisor Network (CFAN)
Ameriprise refers to their ERGs as Business Resource Networks. They demonstrate their commitment to inclusion through more than a dozen networks.
These networks provide opportunities for professional development and relationship building while promoting awareness and community service. See a full list of their groups by clicking the button below.
Texas instruments
Religious Groups: Jewish Initiative, Christian Values Initiative, Muslim Employees Initiative
TI Diversity Networks (TIDN) are focused on bringing together people of different races, nationalities, and beliefs. They also do events between multiple TIDNs
For example, they have held a symposium bringing together members of TI’s Jewish, Christian, and Muslim initiatives to discuss the impact of religion in the workplace.
aetna
Religious Groups: Christians
More than 10,000 employees belong to their employee resource groups. People share their expertise, network and build career skills.
The efforts and ideas of these groups help Aetna to meet the needs of a diverse marketplace. See a full list of their ERGs below.
rockwell automation
Religious Groups: Faith Friendly & Allies (includes Christian, Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc.)
Employee Resource Groups at Rockwell Automation provide a global network of multicultural, multi-generational, employees that are committed to the company’s business goals, along with the needs of its memberships.
Click the button below to view the ERG Overview that showcases their 13 ERGs, which have 56 chapters in 20 countries and over 6,000 active members.
ecolab
Religious Group: Christian Business Network
Ecolab has a new hire experience where “enterprise resource groups” all present for five minutes each of what they’re about to help new hires plug into various employee communities.
At Ecolab, they believe the best teams are diverse and inclusive, and they are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best
cvs
Religious Group: Faith
As one of the largest employers in the United States, CVS believes it’s important to offer programs that help their employees develop and grow professionally, while also providing the opportunity to connect with one another through a particular affinity, culture, or perspective.
Their Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) serve this purpose for more than 7,800 employees across 45 states and Puerto Rico. There are more than a dozen CRGs operating more than 40 chapters across their organization. These groups represent a wide variety of professional, cultural and personal interests.
salesforce
Religious Group: Faithforce - Community for All Faiths
Salesforce supports nine employee resource groups called Ohana Groups.
They acknowledge, celebrate, and foster understanding of the global faith and religious diversity across Salesforce. With the goal of inclusion and empowering their employees to bring their authentic selves to work, Faithforce is open to all people of faith and allies who wish to learn about the different traditions that are integrated into the global communities. Founded in 2017, they have seven regional hubs and are continuing to grow across their offices.
zurich
Religious Group: Christian - GoodNewZ
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led associations that provide personal and professional support and networking. Our ERGs can also help Zurich better understand the challenges our employees and customers face.
Zurich currently has a range of global and local resource groups and is committed to fostering an environment to encourage more. Our ERGs include: WIN (Women’s Innovation Network), CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), and GoodNewZ (Christian group).
bosch
Religious Group: Interfaith@Bosch
In addition to practicing inclusive leadership behaviors, Bosch support the growth of business resource groups (BRGs).
The mission of Interfaith@Bosch—the religious BRG—is to promote understanding and respect for the diverse faiths, religions, and spiritual beliefs represented at Bosch through networking and dialogues, which foster increased awareness and acceptance of all.
intel
Religious Groups: Agnostics and Atheists at Intel (AAI), Intel Bible-Based Christian Network (IBCN), Intel Jewish Community (IJC), Intel Muslim Employee Group (IMEG)
Intel encourages employee connection through their network of Intel Chartered Employee Resource Groups. These groups unite around a significant common affinity or element of their personal identity and are focused on internal and external activities that build an environment of inclusion.
Through recruiting, networking, mentoring, resource sharing and sponsored development events, Intel Employee Resource Groups are an important part of their culture and reinforce that Intel as a great place to work.
dell
Religious Group: Interfaith
Dell’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are communities within Dell where team members with common interests or backgrounds bring their collective voices together to drive business impact.
Currently, more than 37,000 team members participate in one of their 13 ERGs. With more than 300 chapters in 60+ countries around the world, these ever-growing groups of team members are recognized both internal and externally for their strength of program.
toyota
Religious Group: Toyota Christian Fellowship (TCF)
Created to help build inclusion and foster professional development, Toyota’s Business Partnering Groups are employee-driven networks based on shared characteristics and/or life experiences.
These volunteer organizations work to support business objectives as well as strengthen the collection of innovative ideas and voices that represent the future of Toyota.
intuit
Religious Groups: Intuit Christian Action Network, Intuit Muslim Awareness Network
Intuit’s 11 employee networks embrace cultural, ethnic and faith-based communities. They’re all open to everyone at Intuit. Together, they facilitate career development, attract new talent, sponsor community involvement, and act as a resource to the business.
They also promote “Spirited Contribution,” which they define as the importance of bringing your whole self to work.
uber
Religious Group: Interfaith at Uber
People who work at Uber come from many different backgrounds. Their Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are set up and run by employees themselves.
These groups are working on exciting new ways to help improve their culture and ensure that Uber better serves riders, drivers, and cities.
usda
Religious Group: Association of Christians Reaching Out in Service and Support (ACROSS)
USDA has a total of 32 Employee Organizations including the Association of Christians Reaching Out in Service and Support (ACROSS).
The purpose of ACROSS is to contribute to employee welfare and morale by supporting and strengthening one another in the practice of a living faith in Jesus Christ, devoted to serving their fellow employees and agency constituents.
american airlines
Religious Groups: Christian Employee Business Resource Group, Jewish Employee Business Resource Group, Muslim Employee Business Resource Group
With more than 100,000 team members in 65 countries, American Airlines hopes to provide an inclusive environment for all. Their Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) leads diversity efforts across American by fostering company-wide education, community service, and personal enrichment opportunities. T
he council also supports local Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs), which represent many employees and their beliefs, nationalities and backgrounds.
bluecross blueshield
Religious Group: Christian Employee Resource Group (CERG)
The Business Resource Groups (BRGs) at BlueCross BlueShield were developed around common goals to help employees feel connected, respected, and valued. They assist in driving the business objectives and recruiting, retaining and developing talent.
The Christian Employee Resource Group (CERG) in particular is an ERG for those who subscribe to the Christian faith or who want to learn more about it while also contributing to Blue Cross business initiatives.
ford
Religious Group: Ford Interfaith Network (FIN)
Founded in 2001, the Ford Interfaith Network (FIN) aims to assist the company in becoming a worldwide corporate leader in promoting religious inclusion and understanding, corporate integrity and human dignity.
FIN has worked to ensure employees of all religions have the freedom and comfort in bringing their whole selves to work, expressing their faith in an appropriate and meaningful ways, while promoting religious understanding and mutual respect. FIN supports the needs of the company by providing its members developmental assignments, building strong community relationships, and achieving business objectives.
keybank
Religious Group: Jewish Cultural
KeyBank offers 10 Key Business and Impact Networking Groups, which focus on creating an inclusive and stronger workplace for all.
KeyBank's core values of diversity and inclusion support an environment where every person can thrive by bringing their authentic self to Key.
accenture
Religious Group: Interfaith
Accenture offers 10 employee resource groups, including Interfaith.
Because Accenture employees represent a tremendous variety of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, beliefs and languages, these ERGs are key to creating an inclusive and diversity environment.
merck
Religious Group: Merck Interfaith Organization (MIO)
Merck has more than 10,000 global members of Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) who help to drive employee engagement and achieve powerful business results.
EBRGs are employee volunteer groups of diverse constituencies that support talent acquisition, share business insights, and enhance the company’s reputation as employer of choice. They provide leadership development, networking forums and mentoring opportunities for Merck employees.
irs
Religious Group: Christian Fundamentalist Internal Revenue Employees (CFIRE)
Employee affinity groups, which employees may choose to make a part of their work environment, exemplify the IRS’ commitment to diversity.
The larger of these groups have chapters in many IRS offices and include the Association for the Improvement of Minorities (AIM), Asian Pacific Internal Revenue Employees (ASPIRE), Christian Fundamentalist Internal Revenue Employees (CFIRE) and Hispanic Internal Revenue Employees (HIRE). As independent employee organizations, these groups are not sponsored by the IRS, but they do welcome all interested employees to participate in their activities.
fanniemae
Religious Groups: The Christian Salt & Light ERG, The Muslim ERG
ERGs at FannieMae are employee initiated and employee led; their efforts support the diversity and inclusion strategy commitments of the company.
The Christian Salt & Light ERG seeks to support Fannie Mae’s culture in a way that encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work. They believe that Christian principles are useful in enhancing member performance and commitment to Fannie Mae goals.
morgan stanley
Religious Groups: The Christian Focus Group, Morgan Stanley Christian Network
The firm recognizes the importance of employee networks and the rich resources that can be reaped for both employees and the organization through the exchange of ideas and relationship-building.
The Christian Focus Group at Morgan Stanley exists to provide support to all employees who desire to serve the Christian market.
OTHER GROUPS
We’ve also heard of faith-based employee resource groups being started at companies like Exxon Mobil, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Thomson Reuters, Cargill, Northwestern Mutual, JP Morgan Chase, KeHE, and General Electric.
If you have any information those groups, or if you know of any companies doing similar things in this space, please fill out this form and let us know!