Our Services
The Employee Ombuds Office offers confidential voluntary services to help faculty and staff create and maintain a positive working environment, including exploring options, communication and conflict coaching, group facilitation and feedback to campus leaders regarding systemic issues.
What is an Ombuds?
Watch the video to learn more about the role of the Employee Ombuds at GVSU.
Our Resources
No matter your concerns, there are many different resources that can help you at Grand Valley State University. If you’re not sure where to turn, the Employee Ombuds Office can be your first contact or your last resort. We offer a safe place to voice and clarify concerns but you will drive the process and decide what steps or actions you would like to take.
Our Commitment
The Ombuds shall be truthful and act with integrity, shall foster respect for all members of the University community, and shall promote procedural fairness in the content and administration of University policies, practices, and processes. The Ombuds endeavors to be worthy of the trust placed in the Office.
What Does An Employee Ombuds Do?
The Employee Ombuds empowers individuals to work through conflicts and concerns by acting as a trusted navigator and safe resource for employees.
Ombuds may interpret and explain University policies and procedures. They may refer to formal University resources or help resolve issues between parties through informal mediation.
Ombuds seek to help individuals improve their skill and their confidence for effective conflict resolution.
What does an Ombuds NOT do?
Due to the neutral, informal, independent, and confidential nature of the Ombuds role, the Ombuds does not:
- Advocate for individuals/take sides
- Create or maintain records for the organization
- Provide legal advice
- Participate in formal investigation or play any role in a formal issue resolution
- Serve in any other organizational role that would compromise the neutrality of the role
- Receive notice for the organization
- Share personally identifiable information without permission
- Make binding decisions or mandate policies
- Conduct formal investigations or write formal investigative reports
- Keep confidential any imminent risk of serious harm or danger as required by law
Visit the International Ombudsman Association for more information.
Why should I contact the Employee Ombuds?
Support is available to you if you feel any of the following:
- I do not know how to proceed
- I am trying to avoid escalation conflict
- I feel unfairly or insensitively treated
- I believe that my due process rights have been violated
- I feel subjected to intimidating, bullying, or toxic behavior
- I feel, I am not being listened to
- I feel powerless
- I need coaching on dispute resolution skills
- I believe the University should improve its policies, procedures, & patterns of treatment
- I am having issues with a colleague
Location
Valley Campus
The Employee Ombuds is centrally located in Lake Michigan Hall, Suite 133, 4069 Calder Dr, Allendale, MI. Parking is located in Lot M. Upon entering the doors near the parking lot, turn right. The office is located on the left-hand side.
City Campus
The Employee Ombuds has an office suite in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RFH), Suite 203-O, available for appointments.
Virtual
Virtual appointments are also available.
The Employee Ombuds Office will make every attempt to meet you at a time and location that is secure and accessible for you.
In accordance with International Ombuds Association, the Employee Ombuds serves as a neutral independent, informal, and confidential resource to help faculty and staff navigate and address workplace issues. Faculty and Staff initiate the support of the Employee Ombuds and options generated are used at their discretion. The Employee Ombuds Office differs from Human Resources and other conflict resolution services because it is independent of any formal university process. If your concern requires a formal process, you will be referred to other appropriate resources or office(s). The Employee Ombuds can report anonymous trend data and bring systemic concerns to the University for resolution.