The following is a guest post from Jill Crainshaw, Wake Forest University faculty and staff ombuds.
Professor Jill Crainshaw, University ombuds and vice dean for faculty development and academic initiatives
Do you seek a confidential sounding board for a work-related idea or question that is on your mind? An active listener? A strategy for responding to a tangled situation in your daily work?
In Spring 2021, Wake Forest established an Ombuds Office as a resource to provide informal, confidential, impartial and independent resolution for all Reynolda Campus faculty and staff – both full and part-time.
What is an ombuds?
Here at Wake Forest, the ombuds helps faculty and staff to resolve workplace problems and gives general feedback to University administrators on observed trends and patterns related to overall workplace health.
My role as the Reynolda Campus ombuds is to…
Listen. (Sometimes this is all that is needed.)
Help clarify issues and identify options.
Offer coaching in preparation for difficult conversations.
Facilitate conversations between employees.
Gather information, explain policies, and make referrals to other resources when needed.
Offer workshops for those who seek wisdom and skills for healthy workplace conversations.
Operate under the standards of practice of the International Ombuds Association: confidentiality, impartiality, informality, and independence.
When should I reach out to you?
As a first step or last resort or anywhere along the way, I am here as you seek to flourish in your work life. Conversations are confidential and informal.
How can I reach you?
As ombuds, I can be reached through a private email (wfuombuds@gmail.com) or a confidential phone call (336-972-9182). We can talk by phone, meet online or meet in person. I am ready to hear your concerns and brainstorm with you about possible next steps, if you choose to take a next step.
Jill Crainshaw is a member of the International Ombuds Association and has completed specialized mediation training through Colorado State University. She is also certified by the FaithTrust Institute to provide professional ethics workshops and seminars for religious and other professionals.
