I'm at a startup without a lot of formal diversity programs.

Anonymous

February 7,2022 at 3:57PM UTC

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I'm at a startup without a lot of formal diversity programs. And I'm thinking about volunteering to do some ERG work this year. My issue is that while I care a lot about D&I, I know to do this well will take a ton of time and I'm already working 50 hour weeks. Any suggestions for how to participate without this dragging down my work (and rest of my life, in general)? To be clear, I'm not in HR...I'm just the head of an operating department.

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AnonymousFebruary 7,2022 at 4:19PM UTC
Since it doesn't sound like heading up the initiative is possible so I would volunteer to support the initiative when it gets off the ground. Keep your involvement specific and within reason so as not to add too much more to your already full plate.
AnonymousFebruary 8,2022 at 8:05PM UTC
OP here. Thanks for the suggestion. The idea was to build up something so it wasn't to join something in a partial / limited way...the only downside is I'm not sure when / if this will ever become a real initiative.
AnonymousFebruary 7,2022 at 5:55PM UTC
I have a friend that took on a volunteer role that was not part of her job description, but it was tangentially related to the host organization. She was very passionate about the volunteer work but did end up getting whacked on her annual review because this took time away from her primary role. Please be very cautious about this ERG work for those very reasons. I do agree to agree with another comment that you may want to volunteer a limited number of hours after the initiative is fully baked. Boundary setting will be key for this volunteer work: monitoring your own heavy work periods and not over-committing yourself to this volunteer effort. Best of luck!
AnonymousFebruary 8,2022 at 8:04PM UTC
OP here. Thanks for the suggestion. There is someone in HR driving D&I but nobody really leading an ERG full time. The idea was to build up something so it wasn't to join something that exists already. I'll be careful about volunteering in this unstructured scenario...I would also hate to let those who join a nascent ERG down by not doing it well.
AnonymousFebruary 11,2022 at 2:01PM UTC
I’ve been leading our Women’s ERG single-handedly as our startup has exploded with employees.
My biggest advice to you:
Set boundaries with your manager by explaining the value you are bringing to the company overall.
AND
It does not have to be perfect right out of the gate! Set a regular meeting time (we meet the second week of every month) and ask for volunteers to bring a topic or share a little article to discuss.
KarenFebruary 11,2022 at 4:10PM UTC
Hello! I know of a book that may help. It is designed for team leaders and entrepreneurs who are asking your same questions. Easy to read and implement some of the ideas. Good luck to you, your heart and mission are definitely needed in this arena.
“Making DEI an Integral Part of Your Workplace DNA” by Rose Reese. I bought it on Amazon.