An affinity group is defined in Merriam Webster as “a group of people having a common interest or goal or acting together for a specific purpose.” In the workplace, you may also refer to it by its more common corporate synonym, “employee resource group.”
What are affinity groups examples?
Examples of affinity groups include women in the workplace, working parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) matters, and any other group based on a common set of interests. Private employers are not required by federal law to have workplace affinity groups.
What is an affinity group Dei?
What is an affinity group? An affinity group is a designated “safe space,” where everyone in that group shares a particular identity. This identity can be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, physical/mental ability, socio-economic class, family structure, religion, etc.
What is an affinity group at school?
Affinity groups are created to meet a particular identity development need in a school. These are places where students and adults can develop a better understanding of how their own identity shapes their experiences.
How do affinity groups work?
By definition, affinity groups enable employees to come together and build connections based on shared characteristics or interests. This bolsters communication and collaboration, which makes workers more effective and increases their productivity.
Are ERGs illegal?
ERGs are internal organizations that serve to connect and support workers with shared identities and backgrounds. … Under pressure from organized labor, Congress banned these so-called “company unions” when it passed the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935.
How many affinity groups are there?
Amazon has 13 affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups, which bring Amazon employees together across businesses and locations around the world.
What is another name for affinity groups?
In this page you can discover 6 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for affinity group, like: pac, political action committee, pressure-group, single-issue group, special-interest-group and special interests.
What is a women’s affinity group?
Affinity groups are an integral part of creating an inclusive work environment. These forums offer individuals with similar backgrounds and experiences an opportunity to socialize and share ideas and interests outside their daily practice groups.
What is an Lgbtq affinity group?
The LGBTQ Affinity Group was formally created in fall 2014 for faculty, staff and administrators who feel an affinity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, ally, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) communities at the University of La Verne.
How do you create affinity group at work?
- Set a clear goal. …
- Identify your supporters. …
- Pitch your group. …
- Use your resources to your advantage. …
- Structure your meetings. …
- Decide who will do what. …
- Open up your group to remote members. …
- Be aware of the possibilities and limitations of the workplace.
How do I start affinity group at work?
- Set a specific goal. Consider what your workplace needs most and identify it as a goal for the group. …
- Identify potential group members. …
- Pitch your idea. …
- Decide the responsibilities of members. …
- Research your limitations. …
- Start your first project.
Why are affinity groups important in schools?
This example of collective action is one of the purposes of affinity groups in schools: They allow students who share an identity—usually a marginalized identity—to gather, talk in a safe space about issues related to that identity, and transfer that discussion into action that makes for a more equitable experience at …
Why affinity groups are important for students?
Affinity groups encourage children to embrace the different parts of their identity and to feel confident and proud about themselves rather than to silently suppress aspects of that identity because it is different from the majority culture. … Young children also develop strong in-group preferences.
How do you start affinity group at school?
- Identify key issues. …
- Get an administrator on board. …
- Explain the purpose to students, parents and staff. …
- Find a facilitator. …
- Recruit members. …
- Follow students’ lead in determining the group’s focus and activities. …
- “Affinity and Inclusion”—Westminster School. …
- Affinity Group Resource Page—Seattle Girls’ School.
What are the benefits of affinity groups?
- Affinity Groups Create Synergy. …
- They Improve Employee Retention. …
- They Make New Employees Feel Welcome. …
- They Help Employers Address Discrimination Concerns. …
- They Promote Friendships. …
- Start an Affinity Group at Your Office. …
- Find Your Fit.
How often do affinity groups meet?
A: Parent and guardian affinity groups will meet approximately four times a year.
What is a black affinity group?
The mission of the Black Affinity Group at the University of Texas at El Paso is to provide effective leadership and promote the well-being and success of Black faculty, staff and students, while advocating for full equity, recognition, inclusion, and emancipation of our community members. Purpose.
Can ERGs be exclusive?
Exclusive ERGs can serve to further alienate and marginalize underrepresented groups, instead of sparking cross-workplace conversations on race.
What is the difference between ERG and BRG?
ERGs are affinity groups grown up. They have the blessing of Human Resources (HR) and the executive team. … On the other hand, BRGs are ERGs grown up. They not only have the blessing of HR and executive leadership, they are also directly integrated into the strategic business plan of the organization.
What is an erg at work?
Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with the organizations they serve. They usually led and participated in by employees who share a characteristic, whether it’s gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, lifestyle, or interest.
How do I set up a female group at work?
- Set the focus for your Women’s Networking Group. …
- Give structure to the Women’s Network from the start. …
- Target buy-in from your senior leaders. …
- Position the Women’s Network correctly. …
- Bring in the right mix of skills. …
- Get the Women’s Network noticed.
How do I start a female group at work?
- Mission Possible. You’ll have to do some research and succinctly write out your group’s intended purpose. …
- Win Over the Head Honchos. …
- Find Top Leadership. …
- Keep Up the Good Work. …
- Realize Your Potential.
What are women’s groups?
A women’s group is a group of women who meet regularly, usually to have discussions or to organize campaigns.
Are affinity groups discrimination?
Because affinity groups are often based on protected characteris- tics such as race, sex, age, or disability, employers must proceed with caution. Dealing with affinity groups brings an inherent risk of violat- ing laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of protected charac- teristics.