Employee Resource Groups

In the 1990s HP CEO Lew Platt oversaw a formal chartering process for HP’s working groups for minority and women employees. Chartered groups gained access to email, conference rooms, the HP logo and similar amenities that facilitated their work and indicated their official status within the company. But more importantly, the charters signaled the companywide emphasis that HP was going to put on empowering minorities under Platt’s leadership. Organizations like the Black Employees Forum would rise to unprecedented influence and recognition, while company publications like this would emphasize the importance of the networks and their contributions.