Speaking with the Ombudsperson will increase your awareness of alternatives available to you for resolving work-related problems. Possibilities are tailored to fit your particular circumstances while taking into account any fears you may have. The office enhances your ability to deal more effectively with situations on your own. If you request more assistance, further information can be gathered on your behalf, referrals can be made to those more expert in a specific concern, or proper authorities at your school or affiliated hospital can be contacted. When appropriate, shuttle diplomacy or mediation can be employed to help find a satisfactory solution. You will choose what course of action you wish to take.

The Ombudsperson is a designated neutral and, as such, does not advocate for any individual or point of view. As an impartial complaint-handler, the Ombudsperson strives to see that people are treated fairly and equitably at Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard School of Public Health. The Office is independent of any existing administrative or academic structures and is responsible only to the dean of each school. The office supplements the existing resources available to members of our communities.

Informal Process

The Ombudsperson will provide you with a safe forum to voice your concerns, evaluate your situation, organize your thoughts, assess your feelings, and decide what is important and relevant according to your specific circumstances.

Working together, we will generate and explore options for you to consider. Options can range from simply talking about your problem to pursuing a formal grievance internally or externally. You choose the options you prefer.

Your privacy will be respected, as conversations will ordinarily remain confidential. Notes are not kept. In very unusual circumstances, such as a court order, or where there is a potential threat to safety, and all other options appear to have been exhausted; information may need to be shared. If you have particular concerns about confidentiality, raise the issue.

Internal Formal Process

If all attempts at resolving the situation informally have failed, you may choose a more formal grievance process. The Ombudsperson will discuss how to access the formal process appropriate to your circumstances but does not participate in any formal proceedings. Union members will follow the process outlined in their collective bargaining agreement. All other individuals will be subject to the policies and procedures established by the Harvard Medical School or School of Public Health for their group. If the situation also involves an affiliated hospital, the Ombuds Office will work together with that institution to determine the best way to proceed.

Eligibility

You are eligible and welcome if you are affiliated with any of the three schools as a:

• student
• fellow
• faculty member
• employee

Some Appropriate Concerns

• Authorship
• Conflict of Interest
• Educational Integrity
• Ethics/Whistle Blowing
• Favoritism
• Fear of Retaliation
• Personality Conflicts/Meanness
• Professional/Scientific Misconduct
• Racism or Other Kinds of Discrimination
• Research-Related Issues
• Sexual Harassment
• Working Conditions

For many, the Ombuds Office will be a safe first step to addressing a problem. For others, contacting the office may occur later in the evolution of a concern.