What is an employee resource group?

Employee resource groups are also called affinity groups. The purpose of these groups is to have employees with similar backgrounds or interests meet and support each other to help them improve their working environment and a company's overall success.

They represent an opportunity to build a community within a company and discuss different matters.

There are several different types of employee resource groups, including:

• Diversity resource groups. Diversity resource groups are employees considered to be in the minority, in terms of representation, at their workplace.

  These minorities might be identified by race, religion, gender, or other specific characteristics. Sometimes members of a company that are in the minority can feel alienated. These groups help to rectify that issue by giving them support.

• Volunteer resource groups. Volunteer resource groups allow employees to give back to their communities and contribute and support different causes.

  Most of the time, these groups aim to increase employee and company awareness about particular issues. Donations from employees and employers are common with this type of group.

• Affinity resource groups. Some employee resource groups are also called affinity groups, which can also be referred to as affinity clubs.

  These groups are created to help employee bonding around areas of interest, such as specific hobbies. Employees from various backgrounds join these groups and forge bonds over common areas of interest.

• Professional development resource groups. Professional development resource groups aim to connect employees at all levels and within all departments to foster the exchange of knowledge and skills.

  These groups are normally used by those seeking or on track to take on leadership positions within a company. Utilities include technical skills training and management methods.

  Many benefits to employers and employees stem from employee resource groups. Here are some common benefits of employee resource groups:

  • They help to build future leadership among the company's staff by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, skills, and other critical employee information.

  • Having these groups at a company helps employers attract a diverse workforce that can bring various perspectives and tools to their jobs.

  • These groups can also help identify company problems and others issues and report them to upper-level management so adjustments can be made.

  • They help improve employee retention.

  • These groups can help to foster innovation in companies.