The Ombuds Blog: Sandy Forces Closure of IOA Offices

November 01, 2012

Sandy Forces Closure of IOA Offices

The IOA administrative offices in Hillsborough, New Jersey are currently closed due to a power outage caused by Hurricane Sandy. A notice on the association's homepage says that any messages will be returned as quickly as possible.

IOA's administrative services are provided by Professional Management Associates, LLC, which is located in an office park about 15 miles from the waterfront. Local news says that power may be out for 10 days. Meanwhile dozens of Ombuds offices in organizations in the Northeast are also dealing with the aftermath of the natural disaster. (IOA News; Hillsborough Patch.)

Related post: California Fires Shutter Ombuds Offices.

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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