Ombuds Services

An ombuds is an independent professional who specializes in communication and workplace conflict. The ombuds’ goal is to improve the workplace environment for all employees by offering an opportunity for individuals to discuss issues with a view towards developing strategies to ameliorate discord. These services are:

• Voluntary - All are invited to participate; no one is required to do so.
• Independent/Neutral - The ombuds has no stake in the outcome of any disputes nor any power to impose resolution or to require any actions.
• Confidential - The ombuds does not report individual conversations to the organization or the board unless permission is given to disclose information to others. (The only exception to this is if there appears to be the risk of serious harm).
• Informal and “off-the-record” (not part of a formal grievance process)

Why do organizations hire ombuds?  Often neither managers nor the Human Resources department is able to reduce interpersonal or departmental conflict.  As an independent neutral with no stake in the outcome, an ombuds is able to intervene where others, who may have a stake or authority to impose solutions, could not.  The strategies an ombuds employs might involve conflict coaching, mediation, or convening a larger group meeting.