FAQs

The Office of Ombuds exists to assist faculty members and learners, informally and confidentially, in understanding and resolving a variety of workplace issues. Such issues may range from perceptions of unfair or discriminatory treatment to a desire to better understand formal complaint procedures to a concern about apparently unethical or unprofessional practices. In addition, the Office of Ombuds reports, without identifying information, statistical data or trends showing particular problems, so that university officials can take corrective action or otherwise improve the situation.

The name “Ombuds” is derived from the Swedish “Ombudsman,” originally a government official who investigated citizen complaints against government officials. In this country, the function has been modified and used in a variety of organizational settings, including government agencies, corporations, and colleges and universities. Generally, as the workforce became more diverse, such organizations and those employed there found the Office of Ombuds useful in promoting communication, resolving disputes and making the climate more inclusive. We use the term Ombuds as simply a shortened, gender-free form of both ombudsman and ombudswoman.

Four principles — Confidentiality, Independence, Neutrality and Informality — are of crucial importance in the effective functioning of the Office of the Ombuds. Taken together, these four principles set the Office of the Ombuds apart from any other university service or unit. The four principles together make the office a special part of WashU.

1. Confidentiality is vital. Neither the names of visitors nor their concerns will be divulged outside the office without express permission. Visitors can rest assured that the questions and issues they bring to the Ombuds will go no further without their explicit approval. The only exceptions would occur in the rare situation when there is an imminent risk of serious physical harm occurring without prompt direct intervention by appropriate personnel or when a court orders disclosure of information, despite the university’s effort to maintain the confidentiality of communications with the Office of the Ombuds.
2. The Office of the Ombuds is independent, free standing. It is not a part of and does not report to Human Resources, General Counsel or the Executive Faculty. Personnel in the Office of the Ombuds are appointed by the dean of WashU Medicine but function independently of that office. Of course, the Office of the Ombuds cannot make decisions for these administrators nor can it override their decisions and policies. But where and when appropriate, the Ombuds can assist in explaining, negotiating and mediating. Personnel in the Office of the Ombuds have direct access to the senior administrators of the university. Because of its independence, the Office of the Ombuds is not authorized to receive official notice for the university.
3. The Office of the Ombuds is neutral and impartial. It does not take sides. The mission of the Ombuds is to listen, to understand, to explain, to discuss options, to weigh alternatives, and to point out possibilities and consequences.
4. The Office of the Ombuds is informal and conversational. It keeps few records and makes only statistical reports that may illuminate trends or continuing concerns. Its primary mission is to help individuals, confidentially, one at a time.

The Office of the Ombuds is intended to serve:

• All WashU Medicine faculty members with appointments on the investigator, clinical and research tracks
• All WashU Medicine learners and trainees, including:
  • Students in the MD, MSTP, OT, PACS, PT, and other master’s or PhD programs
  • Residents
  • Fellows
  • Postdocs

You should contact the Office of the Ombuds if you:

• Want or need to discuss a sensitive issue or question regarding your assignment or employment
• Need a question answered but don’t know whom to ask
• Think you may have been treated unfairly or arbitrarily
• Become aware of practices that you think are questionable, but don’t know whom to tell or don’t want to be involved
• Need help communicating productively with a co-worker or supervisor

The Office of the Ombuds can help with:

• Perceived or apparent inequities in assignments, perquisites or pay
• Concerns about inappropriate behavior or speech, particularly as they affect workplace conditions
• Questions about performance evaluation, promotion and retention
• Concerns about practices risking or adversely affecting health and safety
• Concerns about authorship or intellectual property
• Concerns about compliance with relevant public laws and regulations or university policies

The Office of the Ombuds cannot:

• Give you legal advice nor can it testify on your behalf in legal proceedings
• Receive notice on behalf of the university
• Require any person at the university to take action to resolve issues brought to the Ombuds
• Take part in formal appeal or grievance procedures nor undertake formal investigations

It will try to find answers to questions to assist in the informal resolution of difficulties and in doing so may engage in informal inquiries to the extent it has the visitor’s permission.