IOA Training Explores Ethical Dilemmas in Ombuds Work

At its next training session, the International Ombudsman Association will offer a course specialized course: "Examining Professional Ethical Dilemmas in Organizational Ombudsman Practice." The one-day course will take place on July 19, 2012 in conjunction with other Ombuds trainings near Orlando, FL.

FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Ombuds Reports 11% Jump in Cases

Virginia L. Behr, the Ombudsman for the Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, says that her office handled 461 inquiries in 2011. The majority of inquiries, 60%, originated from industry, with consumers accounting for 23%, healthcare providers 7%, FDA employees 5%, and other 5%. 

Gainesville State College Opens Ombuds Office

The University System of Georgia college in Gainesville has appointed Melinda "Doc" Hawley as its first Ombuds. Hawley will follow IOA standards and serve as a resource for about 9,000 faculty, staff, and students. 

British and Irish Ombudsman Association Rebrands as the Ombudsman Association

The professional association for Classical Ombudsmen in the UK, Ireland, and British dependencies has changed its name to the Ombudsman Association.  Along with the name change, BIOA is moving to a new web domain: www.ombudsmanassociation.org. 

First Video from CERN Ombuds Addresses Social Exclusion

Vincent Vuillemi, the Ombuds at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has created a video that examines social exclusion. Vuillemi says that social exclusion can create a toxic work environment and illustrates the problem with vignettes. The video also shows the CERN Ombuds Office. (CERN Ombuds Corner.)

Update: Toronto Catholic District School Board Defers Decision on Ombuds

Yesterday, TCDS trustees put off making a decision on creating an Ombuds program and referred the matter for further investigation by staff. (Globe and Mail.)

Prior post:  Toronto Catholic School Board to Consider Ombuds.

Toronto Catholic School Board to Consider Ombuds

Tonight, the trustees of the Toronto Catholic District School Board may vote to appoint its first Ombudsman. The publicly-funded Catholic school system, which serves over 91,000 students and is one of the largest in Canada, has been criticized for conflicts of interest and spending abuses by some trustees. Jo-Ann Davis, who was elected to the School Board after the controversy broke, proposed the Ombuds position. 

Michigan State University Extension Appoints First Ombuds

The extension program at MSU has named Richard A. Wooten as its new Ombudsperson. The MSUE ombuds is a neutral or impartial dispute resolution practitioner whose major function is to provide confidential and informal assistance to staff within the organization. 

Workplace Dignity Blog: Long Live the Ombudsperson!

Kendall D. Isaac, a former HR and employment law litigator, is a law professor teaching dispute resolution at Appalachian School of Law and publisher of the Workplace Dignity Blog. His most recent post is: "Long Live the Ombudsperson!" Isaac explains why Organizational Ombuds programs present an important benefit for organizations. 

Job Posting: American Red Cross

The Red Cross Office of the Corporate Ombudsman in Washington, DC is hiring a full-time Associate Ombudsman. The position provides neutral, confidential, and informal dispute resolution assistance to the American Red Cross community, including employees, volunteers, service recipients, donors, suppliers, partners, and the general public. 

The Ombuds Blog Needs Your Help

Keeping the directories of Ombuds Offices current is time consuming, but does not take priority over newsworthy posts.  As a result, the directory links are often out of date.  I'm hoping you can help me out.  Corrections may be made by email (tom [dot] kosakowski [at-sign] gmail [dot] com) or by commenting on this post.  Thanks!

-Tom

IOA Launches Professional Development Series for Organizational Ombuds

The International Ombudsman Association has announced a new professional development series for Organizational Ombudsman practitioners that will begin at its July training near Orlando, FL. The multi-topical series is entitled “Organizational Ombudsman Knowledge and Skills Series” and will focus on strengthening practitioners’ understanding of various theoretical concepts and practical techniques that are utilized to effectively perform the role of an Organizational Ombudsman in adherence to IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The series is intended for active and experienced Organizational Ombudsman practitioners. 

Cal State San Marcos Publishes Ombuds Office Charter

Last month, the California State University campus north of San Diego finalized a Charter for the Office of the University Ombuds. The document, which was executed by CSUSM President Karen S. Haynes on April 12, 2012, states that the office will generally follow IOA standards of practice. There are some significant exceptions, however.

Job Posting: Union County College

The public community college in New Jersey is hiring an "Ombudsman/Affirmative Action Officer." The college has previously employed an AAO, but never an Ombuds. The job description is somewhat contradictory. The position "is a designated neutral or impartial dispute resolution practitioner [that will] provide confidential and informal assistance to constituents [and also] to adjudge cases wherein individuals believe they have been treated outside of College policy." 

Oregon State University Interviewing Assistant Ombuds Candidates

Today, the OSU University Ombuds Office is hosting "an open forum presentation by three finalists for the Assistant Ombuds position." It's not clear from the short blurb in the daily campus update whether the three candidates will be appearing together. (OSU Today.)