Advancing Diversity and Inclusion at Splunk: An Introduction to Our Womxn+ ERG Community Initiatives

At Splunk, we have a community known as the Womxn+ Employee Resource Group (Womxn+ ERG). The term "Womxn+" is inclusive, representing not only cisgender women but also transgender, non-binary, and women of color. By placing a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, Splunk aims to create a more positive and enriching environment for employees, the company, and the wider community. In this article, we share highlights from our first internal Womxn+ ERG event, held on October 24, 2024, at our Ote-machi office in Japan.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in Splunk are listed here. If you are interested, please look at our other ERGs.

A Message from Gretchen

To open the event, Gretchen O'Hara, Vice President of Worldwide Partners and Alliances, delivered a keynote speech reflecting on her personal experiences. She shared several key insights and stories related to her advocacy for the advancement of women in the workplace:

• "There's often talk of a 'glass ceiling' where women face challenges progressing beyond a certain management level," she noted. "For women to build their careers and grow at their own pace, we need to ensure the right training and coaching frameworks are in place."
  
• Recalling one experience, she shared, "At a meeting where nearly everyone was male, the men continued the conversation in the men's restroom during a break, leaving me behind. I don't think it was intentional, but it saddened me because I believed I was leading the discussion."
  
• Gretchen recounted advice from one of her mentors: "If you can't sit at the table during a meeting and are relegated to a chair in the back, maybe you shouldn't attend that meeting. You are a valuable presence at that table." Many women, she reflected, are sometimes conditioned to willingly choose a seat at the back.
  
• "People often promote others who resemble themselves," she explained. "As a result, male managers often promote other men, leading to management teams predominantly made up of men. To change this, we need more women in the pipeline and systems that support women's advancement."
  

Gretchen's message was especially impactful as it stemmed from her own experiences. As the author of this article and a man, I found it thought-provoking to hear firsthand about the challenges women face in advancing their careers, prompting me to reflect more deeply on what diversity truly means.

Discussion on Psychological Safety

Another key focus of the event was a discussion centered on "Psychological Safety." Participants reflected on their daily experiences and shared insights using Canva digital sticky notes on the following themes:

1. What does a "psychologically safe environment" look like to you?
   
2. Have you ever felt "psychologically safe" in the workplace? If so, what made you feel that way?
   
3. Conversely, have you ever felt psychologically unsafe at work? What could have helped you feel more secure in that situation?
   

Though the session was brief, many participants actively shared their thoughts and personal experiences on digital sticky notes. Through this activity, we collectively explored how to enhance psychological safety and foster inclusion in the workplace, gaining insights on ways to create a more supportive environment for all.

Conclusion

Through Gretchen's inspiring speech and our discussion on psychological safety, we had the opportunity to think more deeply about diversity and inclusion, exchange ideas, and reflect on the importance of sharing and respecting one another's perspectives.

I must also admit, as a man, that before joining this community, I had limited understanding of terms like Womxn, Cisgender, and Non-binary. I realized that while those in the majority may not intentionally overlook the struggles of minority groups, there is often a lack of awareness or an underestimation of those challenges.

Moving forward, Splunk will continue to support initiatives like the Womxn+ ERG, encouraging every employee to engage, reflect, and share insights on diversity and inclusion, building a more inclusive environment for all.

^{Special cupcakes for this event}

^{Group photo in Womxn+ T-shirts!}