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Employee Resource Groups

What is an ERG? 

An Employee Resource Group, or ERG, is an employee-led group whose membership makeup is based on a shared identity and/or experience of employees belonging to communities that have been historically marginalized and continue to face systemic barriers in the workplace.  

ERGs are a way for employees to foster community, to build professional networks, and to share experiences and offer mutual support in relation to the workplace. In short, as the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion defines ERGs, “their primary purpose is to provide equity-seeking groups with a formal structure within the organization to support their unique needs.” [1] 

Employee Resource Groups at McGill 

McGill currently has three ERGs:  Black ERG, Disability ERG, and Queer ERG. These groups are open to all active (currently employed) employees who are members of the community each group serves. “Employees” includes administrative and support staff, academic staff and faculty, and refers to full-time, part-time, permanent or contractual employees. 

The ERG is committed to conducting its activities in a manner consistent with McGill University's values of dignity, respect, equity, inclusion, and freedom from harassment and discrimination.

The mandate of McGill’s ERGs is to: 

  • Provide accessible opportunities to build community, develop peer support networks, and contribute to the professional development of its members.  
  • Promote a sense of belonging and psychological safety for employee members. 
  • Support recruitment, retention, and career advancement of diverse talent. 
  • Support and advance institutional equity, diversity and inclusion strategies. 
  • Serve as a valuable source of employee feedback and insights for organizational leaders. 

Join a McGill ERG 

To join an ERG or to find out more information, please email the corresponding ERG address listed below: 

  • Black ERG: charlene.lewis [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Re%3A%20Black%20Employee%20Resource%20Group%20(ERG))  or degane.sougal [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Re%3A%20Black%20Employee%20Resource%20Group%20(ERG))
  • Disability ERG: catherine.roy7 [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Re%3A%20Disability%20Employee%20Resource%20Group%20(ERG))  
  • Queer ERG: shannon.wood [at] mcgill.ca (subject: RE%3A%20Queer%20Employee%20Resource%20Group%20(ERG))  

 

[1] Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion/Centre canadien pour la diversité et l’inclusion. (October 2023). Employee Resource Groups: Toolkit for creating and sustaining effective ERGs. https://ccdi.ca/media/4177/ccdi-toolkit-employee-resource-groups-a-toolkit-for-creating-and-sustaining-effective-ergs.pdf 

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For more information about traditional territory and tips on how to make a land acknowledgement, visit our Land Acknowledgement webpage.

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