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Ombuds Office

Issues, Inquiries and Exit Interviews - Medical College of Wisconsin Ombuds Office

What issues can be discussed with the Ombuds Office?

The Ombuds Office is a safe place to discuss any workplace situation "off the record" with someone knowledgeable about MCW and its policies.

It is a confidential place to talk things through if you’re not sure where to go or what to do, a channel for surfacing information, and a place to gather information so that individuals can be informed about their options and consider next steps.

Individuals and groups are welcome to contact the ombuds anywhere along the way in the process of informally addressing their concern.

Boat

There are many reasons to come to the Ombuds Office, here is a partial list:

Workplace Dynamics

  • Supervisor-supervisee or peer communication, trust, respect or other concerns
  • Favoritism
  • Harassment, discrimination, abuse of power, bullying, unfair treatment
  • Working conditions

Performance, Compensation & Employment Actions

  • Performance appraisals
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Disciplinary action

Guidance, Coaching & Conflict Resolution

  • Exploring options for resolving a workplace problem
  • Trying to resolve a workplace conflict in an informal way
  • Coaching to resolve a workplace conflict
  • Requesting a “reality check”
  • Learning what other resources may be available
  • Sharing suggestions for improving MCW

Process, Rights & Navigation

  • Uncertainty about where to go or what to do
  • Addressing concerns about retaliation
  • Information-seeking about management decisions, policies or rights and responsibilities of all parties
  • Learning the process for filing a formal complaint or appeal

Ethics, Compliance & Reporting

  • Conflicts of interest
  • Professional misconduct
  • Policy issues
  • Using a confidential channel to surface information, whistle blowing

Research Integrity

  • Scientific misconduct
  • Misrepresentation of data
  • Authorship (order and inclusion)
  • Intellectual property disputes
  • Disposition of research resources
  • Research-related issues
  • Human research protection
  • Animal care and use
  • Safety issues

Academic Integrity

  • Plagiarism
  • Authorship

Writing & Documentation Support

  • Consultation when writing a reference, evaluation, commendation, a letter of concern, or a response to a challenging topic

Exit Interviews

  • Exit interviews with faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows upon request.

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Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Legal Compliance Statement
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, military status, or other legally protected classification. MCW maintains full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in pursuit of our missions. Consistent with federal guidance, we affirm our commitment to individual merit, fairness, and equal treatment in all aspects of academic and institutional decision-making.

MCW's policies, federal and state laws, and regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment. Employees, learners, students, applicants, or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.