As part of its overall commitment to a positive employee experience, McMaster University is pleased to see interest and engagement from employees in establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Affinity Groups. To foster a supportive and equitable infrastructure for such groups, we are working with campus partners to finalize a process by which employees may apply to become established as one of these types of groups. Further details will be provided once available.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Affinity Groups are typically based on shared interests and identities and foster a sense of community and belonging for members within an organization.
These groups are critical “To enhance opportunities for meaningful consultation with, engagement of, and provision of support to equity-seeking groups”, which is a strategic objective identified in McMaster’s 2019 – 2022 EDI Action Plan: Towards Inclusive Excellence.
The chart below provides helpful guidance on how to make a distinction between an Affinity Group and an Employee Resource Group:
Source: Academy to Innovate HR
