Employment and Labor ADR Hub Hosts Discussion of Organizational Ombuds

Recently, the Institute’s Employment and Labor ADR Hub hosted a discussion on the role of organizational ombuds. The event was led by Sarah Miller Espinosa, an organizational ombuds, arbitrator and mediator.   

The topic of conversation was the unique nature of the work, the advantage of considering it as a stepping stone for creating neutrality and shifting careers, and how the work fits in with our current time and environment.

The organizational ombuds is defined as: “a designated neutral who is appointed or employed by an organization to facilitate the informal resolution of concerns of employees, managers, students and, sometimes, external clients of the organization. The primary duties of an organizational ombuds are (1) to work with individuals and groups in an organization to explore and assist them in determining options to help resolve conflicts, problematic issues or concerns, and (2) to bring systemic concerns to the attention of the organization for resolution.

The name “ombuds” comes from Swedish and literally means “representative.” At the most fundamental level, an ombuds is one who assists individuals and groups. Ombuds work in all types of organizations, including government agencies, colleges and universities, corporations, hospitals and other medical facilities, and news organizations. 

On February 25 from 5:30 to 7:30pm, in honor of Black History Month, the Scheinman ADR HUB will be hosting a special event highlighting the careers of successful BIPOC practitioners in Labor & Employment/ADR and providing a framework for junior attorneys to navigate and reframe the success continuum. For more information please contact: Katrina Nobles (kn64@cornell.edu) or Ellen Gallin Procida (eg548@cornell.edu).