Ombuds of Texas Will Discuss Compliance and Ethics Programs at Next Meeting

The OOT meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 will focus on the interaction between the Ombuds and three other organizational functions: compliance, ethics and employee assistance programs. The group will also consider adding new members to the leadership team.

Job Posting: U.S. Navy

The Navy is hiring an Ombudsman Coordinator for its Commander Navy Installations Command, Fleet and Family Support Program. Based in Washington, DC, the position will be responsible for providing program/policy analysis and management expertise, including resource planning and development of program initiatives for the Navy's Ombudsman Program.

Update: Court Approves Settlement Creating Ombuds Program for Pfizer

The federal court has approved the settlement of a shareholder lawsuit against Pfizer, Inc., and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, Inc., that will require the company to create an Ombuds program for employees.

Court Dismisses Lawsuit Filed by Ombuds Against The City College

The federal trial court in New York has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Diane Sank against The City College of New York. Sank claimed that the College retaliated against her after she, in her capacity as Ombudsperson, opposed the removal of a former of an academic appointee.

Job Posting: Ontario Fair Practices Commission

The Organizational Ombudsman for the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is hiring a Fair Practices Commission Specialist to start December 1, 2011 in Toronto.

Canada's Largest Union Unveils Ombuds Program for Members

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (Syndicat Canadien de la Fonction Publique), which counts more than half a million service workers as its members, will unveil an Ombuds program at its national convention next week. The Ombuds program was announced earlier this year and aims to respond to complaints of inappropriate behavior at national CUPE events.

The Role of Ombuds in Franchise Disputes

An article in the latest issue of Canadian Business Franchise magazine explains how Ombuds can help resolve disputes between a franchisee and franchisor. Frank Zaid, a leading corporate attorney in Toronto, explains that a franchise Ombuds can be helpful when:

University of Pennsylvania Ombuds Recommends Program Update

Joan Goodman, University Ombudsman, chronicles the four-decade history of her office in her most recent biennial report. UPenn established one of the first university Ombuds programs in 1971 in response to student demonstrations and general unrest. Although the mix of issues and concerns has changed over the years, Goodman says that the focus of the office remains on “helping aggrieved visitors share their concerns, review options, and plan potential responses.” However, Goodman also raises the issue of whether her office has kept up adequately with changes in the profession.

Update: Four Ombuds will Speak at Southern California Mediation Conference

The 23rd  annual conference of the Southern California Mediation Association will feature a panel of four Ombuds discussing their work.  Joining Betsy Decyk, the Ombuds for Cal State Long Beach, and Tom Kosakowski, an Ombuds at UCLA will be David M. Richardson, Health Care Ombudsman-Mediator for Kaiser Permanente, and G. Michael Kilpatrick, Ombudsman for the California Pharmacist Association.

Robert Ackermann: Former Ombuds at UMass Amherst

Robert John Ackermann, a retired professor of philosophy and Ombudsperson at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, passed away on October 16, 2011 after a long illness. Ackermann joined the faculty at UMass Amherst in 1968 and retired in 1999. Beginning in 1996, he also served as University Ombudsperson. A memorial service is being planned. (Daily Hampshire Gazette.)

Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen Sets Tenth Annual Conference

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will host the tenth annual CoFO meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. The all-day conference will feature a keynote address by John Palguta, Vice President of the Partnership for Public Service.

CERN Ombuds Posts First Annual Report

Vincent Vuillemi, the Ombuds at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has published a report covering the first year of his office's operation. Vuillemi says that he handled 82 consultations, of which 76% were CERN staff, 10% were CERN users, and 6% were fellows. In total, he assisted about 2.7% of CERN's 2,328 staff members.

IOA to Offer Training at the Asia Pacific Mediation Leadership Summit

The International Ombudsman Association presents a specialized training course on December 1, 2011 in Bangkok: "Tsunamis at the Water Fountain, Navigating Workplace Disputes." The program will be held in conjunction with and preceding the Asia Pacific Mediation Leadership Summit.

Meet Brock University's New Ombuds

The public university in St. Catharines, has appointed Duncan McDonald as its Student Ombudsperson while Carole Moss is on leave. McDonald will serve a one-year term through September 2012. He introduces himself and provides an overview of his office in a short video on BrockTV.

American University in Cairo Ready to Appoint First Ombuds

A search committee at AUC says that it is nearing the end of its work and will make a selection  next month.  The 10-member committee, which includes the president and other senior administrators, staff and faculty members, and a student representative, has been reviewing applications and internal nominations for AUC's first Ombuds.