Employee Resource GroupERG
Also known as: Affinity group, Business resource group
An Employee Resource Group (ERG) is a voluntary group of employees who come together around a shared characteristic, identity, or experience, and who are led by employees themselves rather than by HR. Common examples include groups for women, for particular ethnic or cultural communities, for LGBTQ+ employees, for people with disabilities, for parents and carers, and for early-career or veteran employees. Their core purpose is to create community and support among members who might otherwise feel isolated in the wider organisation.
Beyond peer support, effective ERGs do real work. They give members a collective voice to raise concerns and ideas, advise leadership on policies and practices that affect their community, support recruitment and development of under-represented talent, and help build a culture where people feel they belong. To be effective they need genuine backing — executive sponsorship, some budget, and time — rather than being left to run entirely on goodwill; ERGs that are set up for show but unsupported tend to fade and can breed cynicism.
In Indian workplaces and Global Capability Centres, ERGs have grown as part of broader diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Women’s networks are the most established, reflecting a strong focus on gender diversity in the sector, with groups for LGBTQ+ employees, people with disabilities, and other communities becoming more common. For a fast-growing centre building its culture from scratch, well-supported ERGs are a practical way to strengthen belonging, gather honest feedback from different communities, and support the retention and progression of diverse talent.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Employee Resource Group (ERG)?
An Employee Resource Group (ERG) is a voluntary, employee-led group formed around a shared identity or experience — such as gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+ status, or life stage — to provide community, support, and a collective voice. ERGs advance belonging and inclusion and often advise the organisation on related policies.
What is the purpose of an ERG?
The purpose of an ERG is to create community and support among employees who share a characteristic or experience, give them a collective voice, and help build a culture of belonging. Effective ERGs also advise leadership on relevant policies and support the recruitment and development of under-represented talent.
What makes an ERG successful?
A successful ERG has genuine organisational backing — executive sponsorship, some budget, and time for members to participate — rather than running on goodwill alone. It combines peer support with real influence on policy and practice, and its work is visible and taken seriously by leadership.
Are ERGs common in Indian GCCs?
Yes, ERGs have grown in Indian workplaces and GCCs as part of broader diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Women’s networks are the most established, with groups for LGBTQ+ employees, people with disabilities, and other communities becoming more common, especially in fast-growing centres building their culture.