On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Committee and Ombuds Day Subcommittee invites you to the 5th annual recognition of a profession that has existed for centuries yet remains relatively unknown: the ombuds.
Theme: For 2022, the theme for Ombuds Day is
“Ombuds: Resilience, Respect, Resolve.”
Background: What is an ombuds and why Ombuds Day?
Ombuds—also known as ombudspersons, ombudsman, ombudsmen—are considered a valuable form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and provide significant benefit to organizations and their members. As confidential, impartial, and independent conflict management professionals, ombuds offer responsive and respectful services designed to aid problem solving, the development of options, and reducing the human and organizational costs of conflict. Ombuds work to informally address or resolve individual and systemic issues outside of and complementary to formal channels such as litigation, grievances, equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints, and more.
Ombuds are uniquely qualified to serve as a conduit for change through their ability to bring significant and/or repetitive issues to management’s attention in a safe and confidential way— particularly with controversial issues that might not otherwise come forward—and raising issues to leadership others cannot or will not discuss. This includes identifying unintended consequences of programs and policies that negatively affect constituents. The systemic feedback the ombuds provides serves as useful information to improve organizations by helping enhance image, legitimacy, and commitment to accountability for its operations. The ABA Ombuds Committee believes ombuds programs are an essential supplement to formal conflict management procedures that protect legal rights or address allegedly inappropriate or wrongful conduct.
Ombuds are found in a wide variety of organizations worldwide including universities and colleges, governments at all levels, health-care institutions, corporations, financial institutions, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, the media, and international organizations. However, their roles and functions are not widely understood. As the need for comprehensive conflict management options grows, so has the use of ombuds. Given the profession’s versatile nature, many variations or types of ombuds practices have emerged. For example, certain ombuds work exclusively with visitors who are external to their organization while others work with internal constituents such as employees or students. Some have an advocate function. This versatility has resulted in a lack of understanding of the profession.
Yet, at their core, ombuds share three professional standards (confidentiality, impartiality, and independence) and three definitional characteristics (informality, credible review process, and fairness). These standards and characteristics unite the ombuds’ practice and enable ombuds to provide distinct value to the institutions and constituents they serve.
To ensure the profession’s continued development and to support the mission of the ABA Ombuds Committee, the ABA has designated the second Thursday of October as Ombuds Day to coincide with Conflict Resolution Month and Mediation Week. Ombuds Day is an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the ombuds profession, highlight their value, and encourage the greater use of ombuds programs.
By making Ombuds Day inclusive to all the various types and configurations of ombuds, we hope to aid the development of a shared understanding of the value and services an ombuds provides.
Ombuds Day is inclusive of all types of ombuds and will occur on the second Thursday of October each year.
Questions? Contact the Ombuds Day Subcommittee or your professional organization.
ABA Ombuds Day Subcommittee Chair: Ryan Smith
ABA Ombuds Committee Co-Chairs: Ken Skodacek / Allison Whaley
International Ombuds Association (IOA) Liaison: Laura Smythe
United States Ombudsman Association (USOA) Liaison: Joel Schwartz
Coalition of Federal Ombudsman (COFO) Liaison: Belinda Robinson
National Association of State (Long-Term Care) Ombudsman Programs (NASOP) Liaison: Tony Fullbright & William Whited
Emerging Ombuds Network (EON) Liaison: Herschenia Brown
In addition to Ombuds Day, there are other events that are recognized on an annual basis:
- Mediation Week – 3rd week in October – Initiated by the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution
- Conflict Resolution Day – 3rd Thursday of October – Initiated by Association of Conflict Resolution
Ombuds Day: Resilience, Respect, Resolve. 