August 18, 2022
An ombuds is an independent, neutral, confidential, and informal resource to help conference participants solve conflicts. Ombuds do this through conflict management, recommendations, improved organization coordination, knowledge of organization policies, hand-crafted training, and an anonymous reporting structure.
Read MoreJanuary 28, 2022
Ombuds help employees feel more recognized, respected, and heard. As a confidential and neutral resource, they listen to employees and help direct them to the right places to make sure their complaint is dealt with. Outsourced ombuds, who can provide the same benefits at reduced costs and with more flexibility, are a cost-effective measure for companies to effectively manage conflict.
Read MoreAugust 6, 2021
MWI Outsourced Ombuds Panel Member Chuck Doran became a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OP®) with the International Ombuds Association (IOA) in July 2021.
Read MoreDecember 11, 2020
Ombuds help employees become more resourceful and to empower them to solve their own issues. People work better when they feel they have control over the work and work life.
Read MoreDecember 7, 2020
If you’ve never worked with an ombudsman before, you might be nervous about that too. Here are some tips on what to do.
Read MoreApril 27, 2020
Facilitating Virtual Meetings: Five Benefits of Having a Neutral Facilitator By Chuck Doran and Megan Winkeler Facilitating virtual meetings, many of us are discovering, isn’t always easy. Even for a simple staff meeting, there’s so many questions to answer. Should we use video, or is audio alone okay? What’s the best system to use – […]
Read MoreNovember 29, 2018
Following the aftermath of Google's employee walkout, the company has an opportunity to create a more effective and responsive conflict management system.
Read MoreFebruary 15, 2018
Effective icebreakers are an essential tool for trainers and facilitators looking to learn more about participants and create a comfortable environment.
Read MoreJanuary 29, 2018
Using litigation-inspired terms by default misses an opportunity to promote a more effective ombuds process in sexual harassment cases.
Read MoreApril 20, 2017
The word “ombudsman” comes from a Swedish term that dates back to 1809, when the Swedish parliament decided to protect citizens’ rights by establishing a supervisory agency independent of the government. Dictionaries differ about the word’s origin, but many in the field prefer one scholar’s definition of the ombudsman (or ombuds or ombudsperson) as “a person who has an ear to the people.”
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