Ombuds Services
Need an expert for workplace conflict? Looking for improved team dynamics? Seeking an Outsourced Ombuds?
Ombuds serve as your organization's trusted experts in conflict management and communication dynamics. The Harmony Strategies Group has combined over a decade of experience serving as Organizational Ombuds for a variety of organizations. We partner with you to ensure alignment with your company's culture, mission, and values, and we make sure that all senior leaders and employees understand how the service works, what is involved, and what to expect from our Ombuds team.
As your Ombuds partners, we serve leadership and staff as a confidential place to:
- Voice concerns
- Evaluate issues
- Organize thoughts
- Identify options for moving ahead
Our Organizational Ombuds are a helpful resource, if you'd like your leadership and staff be less bogged down with conflicts and become more productive at work. We offer guidance with where to turn for help or how to proceed, along with tips and resources on healthy communication dynamics. Ultimately, we help your organizational culture shift into improved morale, better team dynamics, and an overall attractive place to work.
Who are Ombuds?
An organization’s dedicated conflict management resource.
A confidential place to:- Voice your concerns
- Evaluate your situation
- Organize your thoughts
- Identify options for moving ahead
A helpful resource if you don't know where else to turn or how to proceed, or when you are facing a sensitive situation, conflict, or uncertainty.
Why Have an Ombuds?
- To Mitigate Human Capital Risk
- To Help With Change & Growth
- For Thought-Partnership
The Ombuds supports staff, emerging leaders, and senior executives alike as a sounding-board for reflection and to strategically navigate through conflicts. The Ombuds will also ask critical questions and help probe for opportunities that may be overlooked.
- To Empower All Voices to be Heard
Employees are often aware of issues but are fearful to raise their concerns. The Ombuds helps individuals adopt and apply new skills for constructive conversation, in order to share their issue or grievance in a productive manner.
- To Support a Culture of Well-Being
Having an Ombuds sends a powerful message across the organization that leadership supports early-detection of conflicts, challenges, or obstacles that staff or managers are facing. Proving an Ombuds resource communicates genuine concern for employee well-being, morale, and worklife satisfaction.
How do Ombuds work?
The Harmony Strategies Group follows the International Ombuds Association Standards of Practice:
- Confidential
An Ombuds will protect your identity and the information you share, and is not compelled to share details of any conversation with their organization or employer.
- Neutral
An Ombuds does not take sides, but works to address issues in a way that allows everyone involved in a dispute to be treated fairly and in good faith.
- Independent
An Ombuds does not represent the organization they work for, but exists to present solutions and guidance independent of internal or external forces.
- Informal
Ombuds visits are "off the record" conversations. An ombuds does not make any binding decisions, mandate policies, or formally adjudicate issue.
How do Ombuds work?
Confidential
An Ombuds will protect your identity and the information you share, and is not compelled to share details of any conversation with their organization or employer.
Neutral
An Ombuds does not take sides, but works to address issues in a way that allows everyone involved in a dispute to be treated fairly and in good faith.
Independent
An Ombuds does not represent the organization they work for, but exists to present solutions and guidance independent of internal or external forces.
Informal
Ombuds visits are "off the record" conversations. An ombuds does not make any binding decisions, mandate policies, or formally adjudicate issue.
Our Ombuds are members of these distinguished associations:
