Ombuds
Allison M. Whaley, Ombuds
Mission
The DoD OIG Ombuds is an independent, impartial resource that provides DoD OIG employees with a safe harbor for informal and confidential dispute resolution.
Purpose
- Provide for informal, early conflict resolution
- Provide an alternative to formal avenues of redress
- Handle comprehensive range of workplace related concerns and inquiries
- Address individual, group, component and agency-wide concerns
- Foster values of fairness, equity, justice, and respect
- Identify trends, systemic issues, and conflict prevention strategies
- Strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of DoD OIG work products, processes, and operations.
Ombuds' Role
- Receive concerns about alleged improprieties and systemic problems
- Exercise discretion to accept or decline to act
- Address issues at the most appropriate level
- Help analyze complex and difficult problems
- Explore non-adversarial approaches for resolving concerns
- Serve as a feedback mechanism for organizational climate issues
- Assist DoD OIG personnel obtain explanation on policies and procedures
- Identify complaint patterns and trends
- Issue periodic reports
- Advocate for positive change within the DOD OIG
Ombuds does not do the following:
- Advocate for any individual within the agency
- Conduct formal investigations
- Serve as a witness or testify in formal proceedings
- Accept or provide official notice of an alleged violation
- Serve as part of any formal grievance or complaint process
- Issue investigative reports of any kind
- Make or change policy or administrative decisions
- Make binding decisions
- Compel anyone to act