Employee Matters

This column is prepared by staff from the Office of Human Resources. E-mail questions to benefits@ohr.wisc.edu or call 262-5650. For more information, visit http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html.

The Ombuds Program: Making the Workplace Work

What is the Ombuds Program?

The Ombuds Program serves as an informal, impartial, confidential and independent resource for faculty and staff who have workplace problems. An ombuds will listen to your concerns, clarify procedures, discuss options and, if requested and appropriate, serve as an intermediary in attempting to resolve disputes. Ombuds work independently from university administrative offices; discussing a matter with an ombuds is confidential and does not constitute notice to the university.

Does the Ombuds Program cover all faculty, staff and students?

The ombuds provide services to campus faculty, academic and classified staff. Students can contact the Dean of Students and Graduate School Office for assistance. Rosa Garner is the ombuds for the School of Medicine and Public Health, available to faculty, staff and students (visit http://www.med.wisc.edu/Ombuds for more information). Garner is also ombuds for the pharmacy school.

How does involving an ombuds differ from initiating a formal grievance procedure?

The Ombuds Program is intended to help you resolve workplace situations early and before they escalate to formal or legal action. You can contact the ombuds when you need help and are unsure of where to go or what options are open to you, and/or when you want to discuss a sensitive issue in confidence.

The ombuds will provide a safe forum to voice concerns, organize thoughts, assess feelings, evaluate a situation and decide on what is important and relevant to your dilemma. Here are some typical issues that an ombuds could assist with:

• Concerns about careers, such as salary/promotion, termination or lack of support in your current position.
• Conflicts with colleagues, supervisor, a co-worker or others in the organization.

For many people, contacting the ombuds will be a safe first step. Working with the ombuds, you can explore options ranging from simply talking about your problem to pursuing a formal grievance proceeding. You determine what next steps you may take and which of the options discussed you will pursue.

What is the composition of the ombuds office staff? How do I contact them?

There are four emeriti faculty and staff who work part time and share the duties of the office. First contact should be made by calling the ombuds office at 265-9992. Leave a message and an ombuds will call you back within a day.

Where can I get more information regarding the Ombuds Program?

More information regarding the Ombuds Program, including the annual report for 2005–06 and a flyer describing what services the office provides, are available at the Ombuds Program web site.