Diversity and Inclusion at Google
As a large organization, Google has developed very strong diversity programs to ensure that the organization maintains a diverse staff, ideas, and product line. As with all large organizations, diversity programs can be very difficult to implement and run. Google has done a great job of combining diversity programs that support the staff members and the bottom line. We will explore what these programs are and how they support the bigger picture at Google.
Employee Resource Groups
Googlers, the name given to Google employees, enjoy the option to join various Employee Resource Groups (ERG). ERGs are staff groups that Googlers can join that share the same values within different communities. These ERG’s participate in events, share best practices, and educate other staff members on the value of supporting diversity. Here are some of the 18 total ERGs at Google:
Black Googler Network (BGN)
Focused on supporting and celebrating the African-American culture, this group hosts a variety of events at Google. They also work closely with recruitment of African-American staff by networking with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Google attends HBCU recruiting events to hire new college graduates.
Women@Google
This group is a global network of over 4,000 female staff members across the globe. Their focus is Connections, Development and Community. They support various programs related to the female workforce, such as International Day of the Girl and Women Entrepreneurs on the Web.
VetNet: The Google Veterans Network
VetNet is a group focused on providing social and professional networking opportunities and educates the importance of serving our country. They partner with other organizations, such as the Veteran’s Administration, USO and others with similar missions.
Gayglers: Google’s LGBT Network
This group is focused on supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employees and providing education on inclusion. They’ve taken on the mission to support better benefits, participate in events, and ensure a non-discriminatory workplace for all.
The Capability Council
This group’s mission is to foster an inclusive environment for staff with disabilities. They work on special programs to help make products accessible to all, providing tools and resources for staff to be successful in their jobs, and machine translation programs.
Hispanic Googler Network (HGN)
This groups is focused on providing support to Google recruiting for Hispanic and Latino staff. They partner with community Groups that support a similar mission.
Culture of Diversity at Google
In addition to ERGs, Google has supported a culture of diversity by holding different events to that help educate other staff members about diverse contributions to the organization. In addition to celebrating Black History Month, LGBT Pride, Hispanic Heritage Month and Veteran’s Day, Google also celebrates their contributions through special events. Here are some of the events:
Sum of Google
An event to celebrate the entire Google staff. It’s held throughout the month of July across the 70 Google offices around the world. It includes speakers and panel discussions on Diversity and Inclusion.
Global ERG Leadership Awards
An awards event to highlight the contributions and accomplishments of Google staff to Diversity and Inclusion. The awards vary and last year, Google awarded 23 awards and 14 honorable mentions.
Global ERG Leadership Summit
This event brings together the leadership of the 18 ERGs to share, collaborate, and connect. They focus on different areas including career development and business diversity.
Staff Benefits at Google
Google offers some of the best benefits to support a diverse workforce. Here are some of the highlights:
As a large organization, Google has developed very strong diversity programs to ensure that the organization maintains a diverse staff, ideas, and product line. As with all large organizations, diversity programs can be very difficult to implement and run. Google has done a great job of combining diversity programs that support the staff members and the bottom line. We will explore what these programs are and how they support the bigger picture at Google.
Employee Resource Groups
Googlers, the name given to Google employees, enjoy the option to join various Employee Resource Groups (ERG). ERGs are staff groups that Googlers can join that share the same values within different communities. These ERG’s participate in events, share best practices, and educate other staff members on the value of supporting diversity. Here are some of the 18 total ERGs at Google:
Black Googler Network (BGN)
Focused on supporting and celebrating the African-American culture, this group hosts a variety of events at Google. They also work closely with recruitment of African-American staff by networking with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Google attends HBCU recruiting events to hire new college graduates.
Women@Google
This group is a global network of over 4,000 female staff members across the globe. Their focus is Connections, Development and Community. They support various programs related to the female workforce, such as International Day of the Girl and Women Entrepreneurs on the Web.
VetNet: The Google Veterans Network
VetNet is a group focused on providing social and professional networking opportunities and educates the importance of serving our country. They partner with other organizations, such as the Veteran’s Administration, USO and others with similar missions.
Gayglers: Google’s LGBT Network
This group is focused on supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employees and providing education on inclusion. They’ve taken on the mission to support better benefits, participate in events, and ensure a non-discriminatory workplace for all.
The Capability Council
This group’s mission is to foster an inclusive environment for staff with disabilities. They work on special programs to help make products accessible to all, providing tools and resources for staff to be successful in their jobs, and machine translation programs.
Hispanic Googler Network (HGN)
This groups is focused on providing support to Google recruiting for Hispanic and Latino staff. They partner with community Groups that support a similar mission.
Culture of Diversity at Google
In addition to ERGs, Google has supported a culture of diversity by holding different events to that help educate other staff members about diverse contributions to the organization. In addition to celebrating Black History Month, LGBT Pride, Hispanic Heritage Month and Veteran’s Day, Google also celebrates their contributions through special events. Here are some of the events:
Sum of Google
An event to celebrate the entire Google staff. It’s held throughout the month of July across the 70 Google offices around the world. It includes speakers and panel discussions on Diversity and Inclusion.
Global ERG Leadership Awards
An awards event to highlight the contributions and accomplishments of Google staff to Diversity and Inclusion. The awards vary and last year, Google awarded 23 awards and 14 honorable mentions.
Global ERG Leadership Summit
This event brings together the leadership of the 18 ERGs to share, collaborate, and connect. They focus on different areas including career development and business diversity.
Staff Benefits at Google
Google offers some of the best benefits to support a diverse workforce. Here are some of the highlights:
- Prayer Rooms
- Adoption Assistance
- Day Care
- Mother's Rooms
- Maternity/Paternity Leave Programs
- Baby-bonding bucks
- New parents support group
- Children centers in Mountain View
- Domestic Partnership Programs
- Accommodation Policies (including those for visually, mobility and hearing impaired Googlers)
- Transgender and Transitioning Workplace Support