Deciding Whether to Quit

Ombuds often consult with employees who are weighing whether to stay in their job (and address their concerns) or move on. After interviewing 50 CEO's, career consultant Eve Tahmincioglu has some advice. Some of the clues include:

• Conversations with your boss are more about you shortcomings than strengths;
• Your colleagues know more about what’s going on area than you do;
• Some of your responsibilities have been taken away and given to others; and
• You have been discouraged from joining associations or going to conferences.

(MSNBC.)

Job Posting: FDA

The Food & Drug Administration is accepting applications for an "ombudsman and spokesperson for the Center Director and Deputy Center Director." The description omits any reference to alternative dispute resolution or any of the four IOA ethical tenets. The position makes it sound like the ombuds just another bureaucrat, receiving complaints, representing the director, and negotiation some agency disputes. The salary ranges from $110,363 to $143,471 per annum. Applications are only accepted by mail and are due May 10. (FederalGovernmentJobs.)

Sure, this isn't an organizational ombuds position, but it doesn't even seem to fit the USOA model.

Wharton Study on Managing Workplace Emotions

A new study from the Wharton School looks at the impact of employees' moods, emotions, and overall dispositions on job performance. The authors posit that an "affective revolution" has occurred over the last 30 years as academics and managers alike have come to realize that employees' emotions spread like viruses through the workplace. The paper distinguishes and considers the role of three different types of feelings: emotions, moods, and personality traits. In addition, they comment on research that finds that people tend to be overconfident about their ability to convey emotions by e-mail. (Knowledge@Wharton.)

Statement on Respectful Online Communication

The Fifth International Forum on Online Dispute Resolution produced a statement regarding dialog using information and communications technologies (ICT) (i.e., internet-based, dynamic conversations). The statement is aspirational and encourages individuals to:

• communicate online with respect
• listen carefully to others in order to understand their perspectives
• take responsibility for their words and actions
• keep criticism constructive
• respect diversity and be tolerant of differences

As ombuds confront a growing number of relationships impacted by ICT, this may be a useful reference. (ODR Statement, via Mediate.com.)

[Ed. note: These principles are consistent with the Blogger's Code of Conduct, which I strive to follow.]

Ury on Saying "No"

If you haven't yet read (or bought) The Power of a Positive No, William Ury has summarized some of his own advice. At Mediate.com, Ury lists specific key words or phrases you can use in saying No to the other's demand in a way that flows naturally from your Yes, your power, and your respect. (Mediate.com.) An interview with Ury is also available on YouTube.

Mills College Students Seek Ombuds

An ad hoc group of students at Mills College has issued a demand for a student ombuds. The Committee for Change seeks to force the College to address "ADA compliance and accessibility, reinstatement of a student appointed Ombudsman, lack of resources for parenting students, and retention in both the faculty and staff and the student body." The Committee wants the ombuds to be elected, paid and supervised by the student body. If the demands are not met, the Committee is "prepared to take direct action against Mills." (Mills College Weekly, Mills College on LiveJournal.)

UT Student Govt. Backs Texas Legislation

The student government at the University of Texas, Austin has passed a resolution supporting the Texas House bill that seeks greater protection for communications involving the University ombuds. According to a student representative, the action was taken at the request of the UT Office of the Ombudsperson. "They felt it was important to help them have this confidentiality." The resolution and other efforts concerning Texas legislative reforms remain the focus of the new student government, which took office April 15. (Daily Texan.)

(Related post Texas Introduces Ombuds Shield Law.)