3 minute read
Empowered by ERGs
Employee Resource Groups champion the benefits of diversity at Barclays
CONTRIBUTED BY BARCLAYS BANK
AS THE 2024 SCHOOL YEAR got underway, teachers at Wilmington’s Howard High School of Technology faced the same dilemma as countless educators across the country—a dearth of basic classroom supplies. Teachers typically dig into their own pockets to buy the most basic of necessities, but this year, volunteers from Barclays’ Black Professionals Resource Group stepped up to the plate, contributing boxes of much-needed school supplies for Howard’s 50 classrooms and presenting the school with a check for $18,000 as part of the group’s annual Adopt-a-Classroom program.
For teachers at Howard, the generosity of Barclays employees was a game changer.
The Black Professionals Resource Group is just one of 12 employee resource groups (ERGs) at Barclays, which is home to some 2,000 employees at its Wilmington headquarters.
“Providing an environment where colleagues can bring their whole selves to work while feeling a sense of belonging is at the heart of Barclays culture,” said Cindy Williams, head of business management at Barclays. “Our 12 ERGs inspire employees to support one another and to share common interests. It’s just one of the many things that makes Barclays such a great place to work.”
In addition to connecting colleagues with one another, Barclays ERGs utilize their collective strength to support the needs of the broader Delaware community.
This past summer, the Barclays Military Services Resources Group sponsored its annual walk in support of the Travis Manion Foundation. In Delaware alone, the thriving group has raised more than $200,000 over nine years to benefit veterans and their families—with more than 450 Barclays colleagues joining the effort.
In addition to supporting the community, Barclays’ ERGs make good business sense. The groups help attract and retain top talent, providing space for colleagues to foster inclusion and celebrate diversity.
“We recognize that having a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture is critical to the well-being of our colleagues and enables our customers, partners, and communities to thrive,” said Denny Nealon, CEO of Barclays US Consumer Bank.
Barclays’ ERGs align with the bank’s commitment to creating a diverse and equitable workplace and are immensely popular among its employees.
Barclays’ ERGs span numerous categories, including multicultural groups focused on race, ethnicity, and faith, as well as those supporting active-duty military, reservists, and veterans. The bank’s multigenerational ERGs focus on emerging talent and midlife progression, while the disability, mental health, and neurodiversity ERGs support Barclays’ ambition to be the most accessible and inclusive bank for clients, customers, and colleagues. Employees have the option to join ERGs that support working families and colleagues from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Barclays’ Spectrum ERG provides support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and their allies, and the WIN ERG brings together colleagues to develop the career progression of all women in the workplace.
Williams concluded: “Our ERGs provide something for everyone. This is exactly why I’ve been at Barclays for 17 years, and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else!”
