The Ombuds Blog: National Park Service Said to be Considering Ombuds

January 12, 2016

National Park Service Said to be Considering Ombuds

Today, the Inspector General of the U.S. Office of the Interior released a report into allegations of employee misconduct at the Grand Canyon National Park. After interviewing 35 individuals, the OIG found evidence of a long-term pattern of sexual harassment and hostile work environment, and a failure to properly report and investigate the complaints. In response, a National Park Service spokesman said the agency is considering more changes, including the appointment of an Ombuds.

No additional details about the potential Ombuds have been released, but the Department of the Interior has a well established Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, which employs Organizational Ombuds in Arlington, VA. (DOI OIG Report; AP via KJZZ.)

Related posts: Carole Houk Awarded 5-Year Contract With Dept. of Interior; Job Posting; Interagency Alternative Dispute Resolution Working Group Launches Newsletter.

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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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