Multnomah County Employee Resource Group for Immigrants and Refugees

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Two years ago Multnomah County started an Employee Resource Group (ERG) for Multnomah County employees who are immigrants and refugees from other countries. The goals of this ongoing affinity group are to identify challenges and opportunities faced by this diverse cohort of employees; assist the organization to increase its understanding of issues faced by this group; advance this group’s knowledge about the American workforce; assist employees in achieving their full potential through career development, celebrations, education, and mutual support; help employees in their career progression; provide a critical linkage to the diverse communities from which these employees come; and prepare Multnomah County workforce to meet future needs of this diverse workforce. In its first year 49 employees, including individuals who are not immigrants or refugees but identify as allies, applied for formal membership in the group through Multnomah County’s Office of Diversity and Equity. Over 350 employees have attended meetings sponsored by the group. The group is the first of its kind in the United States and provides a role model for other counties interested in supporting immigrants and refugees and maximizing the knowledge they bring into the organization to create more inclusive government structures.