Real Change, Powered by Human Difference

Sep 22, 2021 9:20 AM ET

Careers aren’t just about work. Fulfilling jobs should also offer employees personal and professional development, a support network, and a sense of belonging. That’s why Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), also known as affinity groups, play an important part in many organizations.

ERGs also provide many benefits, from recruitment to retention and education. These employee communities are a critical resource to inform what is and is not working.

Employee Empowered

Every ERG is different. At VMware, we celebrate our people from a wide variety of dynamic backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Collectively, we refer to our ERGs as Power of Difference communities or PODs.

Through these groups, we encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. We understand that making VMware more diverse, equitable and inclusive for our employees, customers and communities is fundamental to who we are. We also believe it’s essential to our success.

"Our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is both important and necessary in our evolution as a business," said Raghu Raghuram, CEO, VMware. "Our Power of Difference communities are collectively raising our consciousness of the company and helping us build a platform for equitable change."

Power of Difference Communities

VMware’s PODs are the employee-powered engines that fuel our DEI efforts. Seven global demographic PODs strengthen networks for women and underrepresented groups. These groups are open to anyone in the company and designed to help participants grow as leaders, engage with other communities, and drive business impact.

Here's a quick look at our POD communities and what they’re doing to effect change.

View the original VMWare post and videos of VMWare's POD here.