How Slack ERGs stay connected during remote work

Slack's employee resource groups, an essential part of our Diversity, Engagement and Belonging strategy, shared tips for supporting one another.

Pandemic or no pandemic, establishing a safe space is key to building community within an ERG. Frances Coronel, a co-lead of Fuego, the ERG for employees who identify as Latinx or Hispanic, says, “Trust is one of Fuego’s core values, and instilling trust across our community members is vital to our ERG’s success.” (Fuego is the only ERG at Slack to have been launched and converted from incubator to full ERG status during the pandemic.)

For several ERGs, new Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions have been a big hit to get to know one another, including new employees who haven’t met their colleagues in person yet. “We started in-channel AMA sessions with new members of the ERG as a way to highlight them and share more about what people do outside of their roles,” says Ang. Having AMAs regularly is helpful so that members can look forward to them; Coronel says Fuego’s AMAs are held monthly.

Beyond asking for help, ERGs very much value connecting with the wider community, and that’s good for everyone. “Share everything you possibly can with allies and in wider channels when it makes sense,” says Coronel. “Whether it be icebreakers, upcoming events, milestones hit, etcetera, it’s all fair game and really helps others know that we’re here, we are doing great work, and we want you to be a part of it.”

Trust is one of Fuego’s core values, and instilling trust across our community members is vital to our ERG’s success.

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