The Ombuds Blog: Seattle Unveils Ombuds Program for City Employees

April 10, 2020

Seattle Unveils Ombuds Program for City Employees

The City of Seattle has officially opened its new Office of the Employee Ombud. The confidential, informal and independent resource serves all current city employees (but not former employees, job applicants, retirees, or the general public) following IOA standards. Amarah Y. Khan is the Director and Emma Phan is the Assistant Ombud.

The new website includes links to the Ombud Office Charter and Terms of Reference, city ordinance, and FAQ's. The annual budget for the new office, including three staff salaries, is about $560,000. (Seattle Ombud, 2019-20 Budget Item.)

Related posts: Seattle Mayor Considering Ombuds for Sexual Harassment; Seattle to Create Ombuds Office for City Employees; Seattle Names First Ombuds for City Employees; Job Posting; UW Ombud Moves to New Office at City of Seattle.

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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 10, 2020

Seattle Unveils Ombuds Program for City Employees

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