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Who can utilize the Office of the Ombuds?
The Office of the Ombuds is open to all classified professionals, faculty, and administrators.
Can students utilize the Office of the Ombuds?
The scope of services for the office does not include students at this time.
What is a Visitor?
A visitor is defined as anyone who reaches out to the office for support.
When should I go to the Ombuds for assistance?
You should visit the Ombuds Office if:
- You are not sure where to go for help
- You have a problem, concern, or dispute you want to discuss informally
- You would like to talk to someone confidentially
- You are unsure of policies or procedures that relate to your problem
- You would like to know what resources or options are available to you
- You would like to speak with a neutral party
What are the benefits of having an Ombuds office?
Some of the benefits of having an Ombuds office are:
- Providing a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space
- Giving visitors a sense of empowerment as they navigate their issues and concerns
- Identifying patterns or trends and providing upward feedback to district leadership without identifying individual visitors
- Working to improve employee satisfaction, morale, and retention
Is going to the Office of the Ombuds the same as going to Human Resources?
No, the Office of the Ombuds is an independent office within the District and an informal resource. Any formal complaints will still need to be filed with HR.
I was made aware that the Office of the Ombuds can serve as an additional resource. Am I required to contact the Ombuds?
No, due to the office being an informal resource, participation is completely voluntary, but we encourage you to consider contacting us.
What would a mediation meeting look like?
Here are some basic components for mediation meetings:
- All parties must come to an agreement that they would like to participate
- The goal of the meeting will be to discuss the conflict and ultimately move forward to informally resolve the issue
- The Ombuds will work to facilitate the meeting to ensure all parties can express themselves in a respectful and productive manner
