The Ombuds Blog: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Publishes Ombuds Service Protocols

April 22, 2020

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Publishes Ombuds Service Protocols

This week the OFCCP published protocols that formalize and clarify the role of the agency's new Ombudsman, Marcus Stergio, who was appointed in August 2019. The protocols make it clear that the Ombuds office will practice to IOA standards, and not become another OFCCP enforcement mechanism. (The office ensures that Federal contractors comply with the nondiscrimination laws and regulations has requiring nondiscrimination.)

Industry experts are encouraged by the protocols. The National Law Review said:

Under the Protocol, we believe the Ombuds Service promises to be a useful resource for contractors not only for resolving conflict, but also for better understanding OFCCP processes and procedures that the Agency may previously have been reluctant to share with contractors.

(OFCCP Ombuds Service Protocol; National Law Review.)

Related posts: COFO Collaborating With Federal Agencies Creating New Ombuds Programs; ACUS Finalizes Recommendation on Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies; U.S. Department of Labor to Create Ombuds Program for Federal Contractors; Job Posting; Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Names First Ombuds.

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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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April 22, 2020

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Publishes Ombuds Service Protocols

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