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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 as well as academic staff and faculty.  

The purpose of the ERGs is to bring together McGill employees to provide a network of support for members of the University community. Each group will work towards contributing to the following goals:   

  • To improve community building within and across communities at McGill and unite employees across campus. 
  • To increase awareness of members various roles within the institution and increase members ability to navigate institutional systems. 
  • To support the development of knowledge, skills, and networks to support career growth and access to leadership opportunities. 

Join a McGill ERG 

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

  • Black ERG: shanice.yarde [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Re%3A%20Black%20Employee%20Resource%20Group%20(ERG)) or charlene.lewis [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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