Building A Village At Work. How ERGs Are Shaping Company Culture

[kate_geraghty]

“I can’t find her!” she repeated through an increasingly panicked voice as her eyes scanned the hall. “Momma? MOMMA?! I just…I just…can’t find her.”

I stepped toward her quickly. “Can I help? Let’s see if we can find her together.”

I felt her panic subside as she gripped my hand and we walked slowly toward the main dining room. By the time we reached it, her anxiety had disappeared as her dementia took hold again. She smiled at me, grateful for the nice walk and took a seat at a table. 

As I turned away from her and stepped back down the hall to tend to my own mother, I couldn’t hold back the tears that started to burn my eyes. Although she was a stanger, I felt an incredible sadness for the 90-year-old woman overwhelmed by panic and confusion. Her distress mirrored that of a young child who had lost sight of their parents on a crowded playground—a childlike regression is heartbreaking to witness in someone who was likely once strong and independent. 

More likely, the tears now streaming down my cheeks stemmed from my anger at what this same disease had taken from my mom, who day after day grew more confused, anxious, and angry about things she could no longer understand. Taking a deep breath, I wiped away the tears and walked back in my mom’s room, steeling myself to explain for the sixth time that hour why she needed to take her medication and that no one was trying to hurt her. 

The Reality of Caregiving

Being a caregiver to an aging parent is an enormous responsibility, especially with one who is in the grips of dementia. All at once, it is challenging, sad, frustrating, and exhausting, yet also rewarding and heartfelt as you tend to the person who gave you so much in life. Caregivers are crucial during our most vulnerable times; a presence that is fundamental to what it means to be human, regardless of when or how care is provided. Having been a caregiver for my children, a terminally-ill husband, and other family members, I understand the difficulties of this role. While it is rewarding in many ways, it can also be a lonely and stressful journey, underscoring the importance of kindness, support, and community. 

As my children grew up, I continuously emphasized the importance of kindness in every interaction. I taught them that everyone had their own story and could be facing hidden challenges. Therefore, choosing to lead with kindness was always the best approach. This rule continues to guide me, especially in the workplace, where personal challenges are less often discussed. 

Getting Support at Work

I am fortunate to work at a company that values people so deeply. We are often reminded that our employees are our most valuable asset and are encouraged to “bring our whole selves” to work. This guidance has led to the creation of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which have increased our awareness, understanding, and acknowledgement of each other’s diverse experiences. Each group provides a safe space for colleagues to talk, listen, learn, or gain support.

I am the Executive Sponsor of Macmillan Learning’s Caregivers ERG, known as Village, a group dedicated to providing a community and advocacy for employees who are any kind of caregiver. In our first year, Village has stood with employees through a variety of challenges, from early childhood to teenage college preparations, to grief, mental illness, and Alzheimer’s care. Along the way, we have celebrated important milestones and offered essential peer support. 

Since the formation of our company’s first ERG, these groups have fostered community and belonging. They have been instrumental in promoting equity and inclusivity, ensuring that every voice is heard. We now support eight groups and have greatly benefited from their work that has led to important discussions, policy updates, and advancements. In all, they have helped to ensure that our workplace reflects the diversity of experiences and needs of our employees, solidifying our company value that “Inclusion is a choice we make every day.”  

Creating a Culture of Kindness and Resilience

Next month is National Caregivers Month. We will be celebrating all of the caregivers in our lives as well as the broader mission of each of Macmillan Learning’s ERGs: to build workplaces where all are supported, where every experience is valued, and where we come together to lift one another up. In doing so, we support a culture that is kind, resilient, empathetic, and ready to meet the needs of each employee. And for that, we are stronger.

For more information on Macmillan Learning’s ERGs, please visit our website.