
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
The Ombuds/Dispute Resolution Services For Staff Department (ODR) uses a variety of techniques to assist employees in preventing and/or resolving any workplace conflicts in ways other than traditional adversarial approaches. ODR employees work with staff and their supervisors (both faculty and staff) or coworkers (both faculty and staff). ODR emphasizes collaboration and fair consideration of all sides of an issue. The Department provides processes that avoid lengthy adversarial conflicts that interfere with productivity. The goal of the Department is to improve communication and the work environment.
Services:
MEDIATION: Ombuds
staff meets with the individuals in conflict and manages a process that is
neutral and confidential and allows the outcome to be determined by the parties
themselves.
FACILITATION: Ombuds
staff creates a process that encourages ongoing communication and problem
solving.
EMPLOYEE
CONSULTATION: Ombuds staff assists employees
in improving conflict resolution skills by discussing effective communication,
problem solving techniques, and conflict prevention/resolution skills.
DEPARTMENTAL
CONSULTATIONS: Ombuds staff provides
assistance and/or training for a department.
The training is designed to improve interactions, productivity and
reduce conflict.
COLLABORATIVE
PROBLEM SOLVING: Ombuds staff facilitates
discussion with individuals involved in
a conflict. The goal is to help the
parties find ways to work together by acknowledging individual interests and thereby improve the working
relationship.
TRAINING: Ombuds
staff provides training in dispute resolution techniques and other related
topics.
FORMAL
POLICY: Ombuds staff provides interpretations of policy
after consultation with the appropriate office.