Employee Resource Groups and Networks at Microsoft
At Microsoft, we believe that our continued success depends on the diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds that our employees bring to the company. To help foster diversity and inclusion, Microsoft has a rich community of Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and Employee Networks (EN). These organizations provide career development, support, networking opportunities, mentoring, community participation, product input, and assistance in activities that promote cultural awareness. Their programs include speaker series, scholarship programs, community service, development conferences, and heritage celebrations.
Africans at Microsoft
The Africans at Microsoft EN is dedicated to supporting the African community at Microsoft by developing initiatives related to technology that advance African prospects, by promoting cultural diversity, and by providing a medium to communicate within and outside of Microsoft. The organization strives to uphold the Microsoft mission to empower and connect businesses and communities in the African community at large.
Arabs at Microsoft
The Arabs at Microsoft EN enables the exchange of information related to Arab culture and heritage. The EN helps employees of Arab origin connect with the larger local Arab community as well as network within Microsoft. Special attention is paid to promoting the rich Arab culture and heritage within Microsoft and discussing issues related to Arabic computing and software.
Attention Deficit Disorder at Microsoft
Attention Deficit Disorder at Microsoft is a support group for Microsoft employees who have ADD and for those who have friends or family with ADD. The group provides education, advocacy, and support to improve and enhance the lives of those affected by ADD.
Bangladeshi Employees at Microsoft
The Bangladesh EN was formed in 2007. The group's primary objectives are to promote awareness and understanding of Bangladesh culture, provide support and networking opportunities to employees, and engage in social and community activities. The group promotes the rich heritage of art, music, festivals, and celebrations that have Bengali origins and Bangladeshi roots.
Blacks at Microsoft
Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is the African-American EN at Microsoft. BAM is committed to actively contributing to the growth and development of local communities, with a particular focus on educating youth and providing them access to emerging technologies and career opportunities in the information technology industry.
Boomers at Microsoft
This network seeks to enhance Microsoft’s success by promoting a work environment that attracts, develops, and retains outstanding employees over the age of forty ("Boomers"). Essential to this environment is company-wide educational outreach to promote awareness of the cognitive and social strengths that current research shows Boomers to have, while also celebrating the cognitive strengths of younger workers. Boomers at Microsoft provide a forum for this message and offer development resources.
Brazilians at Microsoft
Brazilians at Microsoft was created in 2001. Today it has 200 members, most of them in the United States. Brazilians at Microsoft is supported by an elected board of directors and a sponsor. This EN is engaged in several initiatives and activities, including hallmark cultural celebrations like Festa Junina, Churrasco musical events, and the establishment of a solid communication link between the Brazilian community in the United States and the leadership team of the Microsoft subsidiary in Brazil.
Chinese Employees at Microsoft
The Chinese Employees at Microsoft EN, or CHIME (for Chinese Microsoft Employees), was established in 1992. It is now the largest ethnic diversity group at Microsoft, with more than 1,500 members across the company. Its members consist of employees of Chinese ethnic background (those from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other parts of the world) and others who are interested in Chinese culture and affairs. CHIME has its own bylaws and an elected board. CHIME strives to create a supportive and fun employee community, to support professional growth among its members, to assist Microsoft diversity efforts by organizing annual events for employees, to encourage participation in local communities through social activities, to promote annual charity donations through the Microsoft Giving Campaign, and to support many of Microsoft China's business needs by supplying resources for customer training, staffing, and VIP greetings.
Dads at Microsoft
The Dads at Microsoft group (MSDADs) is an employee-driven initiative whose purpose is to equip and empower Microsoft fathers to more effectively balance work with family life. This is accomplished through identifying appropriate resources—speakers, videos, books, and seminars—and providing opportunities for MSDADs members and their guests to engage with those resources.
ExYugoslavians at Microsoft
The ExYugoslavians at Microsoft EN is dedicated to issues related to the countries that were once called Yugoslavia. Although wars and other events have split previous republics into independent countries, this Microsoft EN focuses on the things that bring people together. The group helps employees and their families bridge cultural barriers. It also welcomes people who are interested in the cultural, historical, and political diversity of former Yugoslavian countries. Events include monthly lunches—with ex-Yugoslavian meals prepared by the Microsoft chef—and annual events that feature music and food from the old country.
Filipinos at Microsoft
The Filipinos at Microsoft EN's mission is to share the Filipino culture, talents, and resources within Microsoft and with the world at large.
Friends of Japanese at Microsoft
Established in 2004, Friends of Japanese at Microsoft, or "WA" (after a Japanese word for peace/harmony/circle of friends), is open to all Microsoft employees. Members are of Japanese heritage or are interested in Japanese culture and they come from various countries and regions of the world. The WA community provides support, resources, communication, mentoring, and networking opportunities to its members through various social activities related to the Japanese culture. The community is also committed to help Redmond and Japan align well through collaborative initiatives, networking, and effective communication.
Hellenes at Microsoft
The Hellenes at Microsoft EN is committed to providing support and resources to people of Greek origin and heritage and others who are interested in the Greek culture. One of its main goals is to assist in activities that promote cultural awareness among Microsoft employees and that promote Greek history and culture. The group has members in North America, Greece, and Europe.
Hong Kong Employees at Microsoft
The Hong Kong Employees at Microsoft Employee Network was established in 2001. The group supports activities for Hong Kong employees at Microsoft and welcomes members who are interested in Hong Kong or currently working in Hong Kong. It promotes community networking and technical information exchanges.
Huddle (Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
The Huddle (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) group works to ensure that professional opportunities, corporate events, and corporate resources are accessible to individuals with hearing loss.
Indian Employees at Microsoft
The Indian Employees at Microsoft EN is for employees who are from or interested in India. This group fosters activities through which members can share diverse cultural traditions and values.
Israelis at Microsoft
The Israelis at Microsoft EN was established in 2004 by members of the Israeli community of greater Seattle. Its purpose is to bring the Israeli culture and sense of community to the more than 300 Israeli employees at Microsoft and others who may be interested. The EN organizes activities for holidays, movies, shows, and other social gatherings. Members work with other organizations in the community, such as Chabad, the JCC, and the Israeli scouts (Tzofim).
Koreans at Microsoft
The Koreans at Microsoft EN is dedicated to supporting the continued growth of Korean employees at Microsoft and providing support to the Korean community outside of Microsoft. The group is also committed to helping Microsoft grow as a culturally aware and socially responsible corporation.
Malaysians at Microsoft
The Malaysians at Microsoft EN was created in 2001 and is committed to promoting the Malaysian culture within the company and facilitating communication among Malaysians at Microsoft. This group organizes activities throughout the year for employees who are interested in the Malaysian culture. The Malaysian organization works closely with local nonprofit groups and internal employee groups to reach out to the community and employees.
Microsoft Adoption
The Microsoft Adoption EN is a forum that extends to all members of the adoption triad: birth parents, adoptive parents, and adult adoptees. This group shares ideas and resources, and members provide support for one another. This EN brings adoption-related resources to the members of the Microsoft community with activities such as a speaker series, special interest forums, and resource links. Adoptive Parents at Microsoft promotes and shares information with other ENs and across Microsoft about the benefits and effects of adoption in families today. This group was established in 2006.
Microsoft Asian Professional Society
This Employee Network has a mission to present a united voice to Microsoft management on issues that are important to Asian communities. The group considers leadership a core focus and it strives to provide the Asian community at Microsoft with leadership development opportunities and support for Asian professionals at Microsoft.
Microsoft Nepali
The Microsoft Nepali EN was established for employees who are from or are interested in Nepal. This group serves as a platform for building a strong bond among members and welcoming new ones. It encourages Nepali to engage in the software industry and join Microsoft. This EN also provides support to the Nepali community outside of Microsoft.
Military Reservists at Microsoft
The Military Reservists at Microsoft EN is dedicated to bringing together Microsoft employees who are presently members of any of the United States military reserve components. The goal is to create a greater awareness throughout Microsoft about the valuable work that is performed by citizen-soldiers. The value added to Microsoft comes not only from the civilian expertise of members, but also through their participation as reservists in the U.S. armed forces.
Native Americans at Microsoft
Members of Native Americans at Microsoft work to have an impact on Native American communities outside Microsoft and to increase the number of Native Americans within the organization itself. In conjunction with the Microsoft Diversity team and support from their vice president sponsor, members coordinate an annual heritage festival that hosts approximately 400 people. Members also coordinate a yearly Native American Job Shadow day that reaches approximately 26 Native American youth from the Puget Sound region. The group plans to hold biannual powwows in conjunction with other companies, such as Boeing and Dell.
New Zealanders and Australians in the U.S.
This Employee Network provides a forum for sharing, learning, and communication on issues that are relevant to the South Pacific culture. The group also helps with immigration and relocation issues.
Pakistanis at Microsoft
The Pakistanis at Microsoft EN is for employees who are from or interested in Pakistan. This group focuses on reaching out to Pakistani employees and works to encourage more Pakistanis to become involved in the software industry.
Persians at Microsoft
The Persians at Microsoft EN is dedicated to supporting Iranian employees at Microsoft. It also provides a way for members to communicate with and benefit from the Iranian-American community outside of Microsoft. This group was created to support the Iranian community at Microsoft and to grow and attract Iranian talent to Microsoft. All employees interested in this commitment are encouraged to join.
Portuguese at Microsoft
The Portuguese at Microsoft EN was created in 2004 to be a forum that provides support and meeting opportunities for people of Portuguese origin or heritage and those with an interest in Portuguese culture. Group activities include monthly lunches in one of the Microsoft cafeterias. The EN also serves as a link between the U.S. Portuguese-American community and Microsoft.
Romanians at Microsoft
Romanians at Microsoft was created to provide support and resources to people of Romanian origin, or people who are interested in the Romanian culture. This group focuses on supporting the continued growth of Romanian employees at Microsoft and promoting community networking and technical information exchange.
Russian-Speaking Community
Rodina (Russian-Speaking Community) welcomes all Russian-speaking Microsoft employees. Its purpose is to help Russian-speaking new employees integrate successfully into the culture of Microsoft and the United States, to help Russian-speaking employees in their professional growth at Microsoft, to foster a Russian-speaking community at Microsoft, and to introduce all Microsoft employees to the Russian culture and language.
Singaporeans at Microsoft
Singaporeans at Microsoft is for employees who are interested in Singapore and want to share information about Singapore that is beneficial to Microsoft. This group also focuses on the cultural and racial diversity of Singapore to bring these values to Microsoft and expand on them.
Single Parents at Microsoft
The working Single Parents at Microsoft EN helps bring single parents together for support, advice, and encouragement. Members seek to address workplace issues that affect parents and children. The EN increases awareness of the difficulties single-parent families face as well as the value they impart.
Taiwanese Microsoft Employees
Taiwanese Microsoft Employees was established in 2000. The group supports Taiwanese employees at Microsoft and welcomes members who are interested in Taiwan. It promotes community networking and technical information exchange.
Thais at Microsoft
The Thais at Microsoft EN is a close-knit forum dedicated to discussing topics pertinent to Thai employees, including the challenges of working in the United States. The group also plans fun activities.
Turks at Microsoft
Turks at Microsoft is a forum for Turkish employees of Microsoft, and all employees who are interested in things Turkish, to come together. Members exchange ideas and share experiences, ask and answer questions, and share information about relevant events in the area.
Ukrainians at Microsoft
Ukrainians at Microsoft has more than 70 members, most of them in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The group supports Ukrainian employees at Microsoft and welcomes members who are interested in learning more about the Ukraine. This EN provides a forum for sharing, learning, and communicating about issues that are relevant to the Ukrainian culture and language. It promotes community networking by information exchange and provides peer help on immigration and relocation issues. This group also serves as an informational bridge with the Microsoft Ukraine subsidiary.
U.S. Military Veterans at Microsoft
U.S. Military Veterans at Microsoft is devoted to providing a forum in which military veterans can find news and information regarding the military veteran community and life at Microsoft. Activities include rallying support for volunteer programs and support programs for soldiers, sailors, marines, coastguardsmen, and airmen anywhere, anytime. It is also a channel for mutual support and networking. This group was established in 2001.
Vietnamese at Microsoft
The Vietnamese at Microsoft EN was established to promote and foster the Vietnamese language, culture, and community within Microsoft. The group provides a networking and discussion forum for information about Vietnamese language, arts, entertainment, and culture. The group's activities range from promoting Vietnamese charitable organizations and cultural awareness to participation in local cultural celebrations such as the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival. The group also regularly visits local Vietnamese restaurants near Microsoft campuses. In addition, the group has helped the Microsoft company and culture, welcoming Microsoft customers and partners from Vietnam who are visiting Seattle and helping other Microsoft employees with production localization verifications.
Visually Impaired Persons at Microsoft
Visually Impaired Persons at Microsoft (MSVIP) is designed to enable Microsoft employees who are blind or partially sighted to share information, resources, ideas, known problems, and workarounds for accessibility issues faced by people with visual impairments at Microsoft. It is also a channel for mutual support and networking. The group was established in 2000.
Working Parents at Microsoft
Working Parents at Microsoft supports a growing constituency. This group seeks to increase awareness for the issues that affect working parents and to present workable solutions for Microsoft employees.
