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The Ombuds Office Does:
Listen and discuss workplace questions, concerns and complaints
Offer a SAFE place to discuss your concerns
Open channels of workplace communication
Informally investigate complaints
Help evaluate various options to address workplace concerns
Answer questions concerning appropriate channels
Explain MCW policies and procedures
Facilitate communication between people
Advise individuals about steps to resolve problems informally
Advise individuals about formal and administrative options
Make appropriate referrals when informal options don't work
Discuss patterns and trends of concern with MCW leadership
Provide feedback regarding MCW policies
The Ombuds Office Does Not:
Participate in formal grievance processes
Conduct formal investigations
Make administrative decisions for MCW administrators
Determine "guilt" or "innocence"
Assign sanctions to individuals
Serve as witness in any administrative or legal proceedings, except in rare instances when compelled to do so
Receive official "notice" for MCW about issues
Maintain records that identify visitors to the office
How Might an Ombuds Help?
By helping to develop and evaluate options or courses of action and by assisting visitors in knowing how to pursue an option
By helping to clarify and address a workplace conflict
By coaching visitors about how an issue or concern may be approached more effectively
By helping to surface information when people are afraid to come forward in the workplace
By looking into a problem informally (with permission) and, when appropriate, presenting options to the visitor or others
By identifying dispute resolution alternatives for people who seek options and by referring individuals to appropriate services
By assisting in dispute resolution by bringing together the parties involved in order to assist them in reaching their own agreement
By recommending systems change to appropriate individuals
