#iBelong: How people engage at work to build a community of pride

When you hear the word “community,” what comes to mind? Maybe it’s your neighborhood or town or your local team or club. But what about the workplace?

In today's workplaces, people want to feel a sense of belonging – to be part of a close-knit professional community with a common purpose. We want a space where we feel comfortable and connected and can contribute, no matter how we identify, where we come from, or our gender, abilities, age, experience, or beliefs.

It’s also no secret that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) can make a difference for business: An inclusive and equitable workplace is better equipped to face the challenges of today’s global market.

That all sounds great, doesn’t it? But how does that happen?

The answer: passionate people committed to bringing their colleagues together to share experiences and make an impact. 

What started as many grassroots networks around the world has now become a global initiative. If you’ve heard of employee resource groups (ERGs), you know the concept. At DHL Group, we call them Alliances@DHL Group. The DHL Pride Alliance is one of our first.

Alexander Scheithauer, Head of Alliances@DHL Group, shares how Alliances and the Pride Alliance, in particular, came about.

• How do Alliances@DHL Group work?
  Alliances are voluntary, employee-led groups for colleagues with shared identities and interests. They are open to all employees who wish to connect with others, share their experiences, or support the Alliance's mission and goals.
  
  Alliances share a common framework with a clear mission and goals. The collective purpose and common experience help Alliances develop and grow to attract even more participants to get involved.
  
  This global framework is built on grassroots efforts, with country leads who manage day-to-day activities, drive growth, and collaborate with other leads to share knowledge and experiences. While they take the lead, each member’s voice and contribution drives the group forward.
• How are Alliances@DHL Group like employee interest groups (ERGs)?
  Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups aiming to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned within their organizations. Our Alliances are based on this model. Learn more at Great Place To Work.
• How do Alliances@DHL Group fit into DHL Group’s Sustainability Roadmap?
  Alliances@DHL Group foster a sense of belonging. In this way, they are closely connected to our aspiration of becoming a great place to work for all, where our people feel comfortable, connected, and empowered to contribute.
• What kinds of Alliances@DHL Group are there?
  Our Alliances are part of our DEIB framework and linked to our six DEIB pillars. We initially launched Alliances@DHLGroup in four countries and focused on two of the pillars: Ability and LGBTQ+. By starting small in scope and geography, we aim to gain experience and insights so that we can scale up and roll out in other countries. The Pride Alliance, for example, was established in 2023, building on similar yet disconnected groups around the world, such as the RainbowNet in Germany.
• What do all Alliances@DHL Group have in common?
  Alliances are open to all employees. They are united behind a common mission and goals and aim to create a shared experience for everyone who joins. Alliances also share a set of visuals, activities, and tools to help make this happen.

We all want to belong, whether in our communities or our workplaces. Alliances help our people come together to connect and feel comfortable. They provide a forum to voice opinions, improve visibility and understanding of DEIB issues, and foster equitable and inclusive workspaces. They And they add value at every level as we aspire to be a great company to work for all!