New Administration Ends Department of State Ombuds Program
Reliable sources are confirming that the Office of the Ombudsman at the U.S. State Department is being dissolved. All current Ombuds, several who had been hired in recent months, are on administrative leave pending the termination of the program. The move clearly surprised the office, which had opened searches for three new Ombuds in early December. No other details have been made public.
If IOA persists with emphasizing a commitment to DEI it will be putting a target on EVERY public-sector ombuds--the vast majority of the IOA membership. Ombuds need to be left to focus on fairness within orgazations and not be drawn into DEI advocacy.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot seriously believe anyone making these decisions gives a $&@* about IOA's stance on DEI, and that if IOA backs off DEI that will somehow save public sector ombuds? That is...wow. Out of respect for Tom and the rules here I will just stop there.
DeleteValuing diversity, equity, and inclusion IS focusing on fairness.
DeleteI understand the concerns about how Federal ombuds programs might be perceived in the current political climate. However, I think it’s important to clarify that promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion - which is part of our IOA values - is not the same as engaging in DEI advocacy. Rather, these principles are foundational to the core work of ombuds: ensuring fairness, fostering respect, and creating spaces where all voices can be heard.
DeleteIOA’s values emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion because, without them, how could we fulfill our obligation to act with integrity and impartiality? How could we be effective in ensuring that people—regardless of background, identity, or status—have access to fair processes and feel safe bringing their concerns forward? Our work is about ensuring that organizations operate with fairness and that all individuals are treated with dignity.
Ombuds programs are not DEI programs, and acknowledging the importance of including everyone, honoring diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and being equitable, does not mean engaging in activism. It means upholding the fundamental principles that make our profession credible and effective. If we were to step away from recognizing the value of these principles, we would be neglecting a crucial aspect of what allows us to build trust with those we serve.
As Oscar Wilde said, “Circumstances should never alter principles!” The political landscape may shift, but the core values that guide our work — fairness, respect, and dignity for ALL — must remain steadfast.
I’m hoping we can stand on principle with a strength of conviction about who we are and support each other and our field in the process. Resist!!
I have to agree with the original commenter here.
DeleteAll respectable ombuds agree with the sentiment that diversity and inclusivity are valuable and important principles for our organizations -- both on their own merit and for a myriad of common sense business reasons. No reasonable person reading this blog is anti-DEIA. But the continued focus of IOA on using language that many people associate with the divisive/scary/woke/whatever DEIA boogieman IS putting individual ombuds/offices and the larger profession at risk.
When the decision is made to select a session titled "Ombudsing While Trans: Leveraging Queer Theory in Conflict Resolution Practice" on day 1 of the 2025 IOA Conference it puts at least a couple hundred current federal sector ombuds in a position to either risk the dissolution of their office by Elon Musk lackeys looking to root out the "woke mind virus" or to forgo conference attendance all together. What happens to my job if some travel-approving HR person happens to pull up the conference agenda? What happens to IOA's funding and ability to advocate for us if all the public sector ombuds have to stop attending conferences, paying membership dues, or taking IOA trainings?
This administration is ghoulish. Their focus on targeting the most vulnerable parts of our population by scapegoating and othering is abhorrent and short-sighted. But at the end of the day, my focus is on staying in the fight and limiting the damage that Team Ghoul can do to our bedrock institutions and to the people who can be helped by the services we provide. I am getting tired of waiting for the folks on my team, Team Not-Terrible-People, to stop being their own worst enemy and start playing the game in a way that reflects the very real and very serious stakes involved. The Ombuds Community isn't holding the moral high ground by refusing to adapt to the reality of the current circumstances, they are choosing a hill to die on.
I am not saying we need to abandon or compromise our ideals, but I am saying that we need to get much more pragmatic when it comes to how we market ourselves in this environment. Something something something... deliver our message in a way that the other side can actually hear it. One example of some low-hanging fruit, CAN WE JUST CHANGE THE TITLE OF THE SESSION FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!? These next four years are going to be rough enough, let's not make it easier for them to make it harder for us.
I don't think IOA is out ahead of most organizations when it comes to DEI issues. There are many organizations, institutions, and associations that are really advocating for DEI. IOA was a bit of a follower and DEI goals are secondary to its mission of ensuring professional standards and practices. Internally, of course, IOA has an ongoing duty to members and other colleagues to ensure fair treatment and opportunity. I support their position in this.
DeleteIt is hard to see how any federal ombuds program continues into the next budget year. It may be time for all the existing federal ombuds to accept the buyout; clearly, they will not be employed for long anyway.
ReplyDeleteOrganizational ombuds provide a lot of value to organizations and can pay for themselves many times over. The previous Trump administration was able to see that value and how they actually helped with efficiency. Hopefully that will be clear this time around as well.
DeleteI don’t think anyone is saying that org ombuds don’t provide huge value, BUT, the conversations here about protecting them in this new world of wolves.
DeleteIt is my understanding that State's program was established by law - 22 U.S. Code § 2664a - Protection of Civil Service employees:
ReplyDelete(c)Establishment of Office of the Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees
There is established in the Office of the Secretary of State the position of Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees. The position of Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees shall be a career reserved position within the Senior Executive Service. The Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees shall report directly to the Secretary of State and shall have the right to participate in all Management Council meetings to assure that the ability of the Civil Service employees to contribute to the achievement of the Department’s mandated responsibilities and the career interests of those employees are adequately represented. The position of Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees shall be designated from one of the Senior Executive Service positions (as defined in section 3132(a)(2) of title 5) in existence on December 22, 1987."
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/2664a
To what extent is this dissolution a function of the new administration vs. internal machinations?
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear the Dept. of State's Ombuds Office is being dissolved. That office was created, in part, to help combat incivility in the workplace. Employees can't focus on their critical mission if their performance is impacted by the behaviors of those that need to be held accountable; something Ombuds can assist with.
ReplyDeleteThis is tough news about the Department of State Ombuds program.
ReplyDeleteI also learned from a federal government employee and colleague yesterday that the FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service) was told that they can no longer support the Shared Neutrals Program. This program was established under the Clinton Administration's ADR Act of 1996 which requires all federal agencies to set up mediation and other ADR programs (including ombuds) in order to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively. This saves the government money since agencies “share” neutrals to resolve disputes and get back to work.
I hope the co-equal branches of government do their jobs and support effective initiatives such as organizational ombuds, independent inspector generals, and other programs that uncover corruption and help resolve disputes efficiently.
For what it's worth, 22 U.S. Code § 2664a established the State Department's ombuds position (Ombudsman for Civil Service Employees) and mandates that the role report to the Secretary of State, be filled by a career (i.e., not a political appointee) member of the SES, and have access to senior management meetings. While this role was later expanded to also serve State's Foreign Service workers and Locally Employed Staff by then Secretary Clinton, the congressionally required civil service functions of the ombuds role cannot be legally amended or abolished by the executive branch...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this and my heart goes out to everyone! But I’m not surprised and think we need to prepare ourselves - this is a slash and burn situation. There is a serious conversation to be had about branding around our work. Not the work itself but how we talk about it. Not a new conversation, but a more urgent one.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, even at this late date, it could be beneficial to review the upcoming IOA Agenda and have an intentional conversation about this and/or the linguistics of our profession?
DeleteMy heart goes out to our colleagues. I’m so sorry.
ReplyDelete"Valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion IS focusing on fairness."
ReplyDeleteFocusing on fairness regardless of who someone is gets to the same end without embracing DEI. The rules have changed whether anyone wants or agrees with those changes.
22 U.S. Code § 2664a established the State Department's ombuds position. Laws? Laws?! A unitary executive doesn't need to follow laws. Haven't you heard?
ReplyDeleteAre there things we can do within the Ombuds community to advocate for Ombuds positions in other federal agencies?
ReplyDelete