Today is International Ombuds Day, and to celebrate, we are sharing a message from the AEA Ombuds Team offering clarity on the services they provide and how to utilize them effectively. The ombuds team plays a vital role in enhancing our professional environment. I encourage you to take a moment to review the information below so that you and your colleagues are well prepared to take advantage of this resource as needed.

The Ombuds: Your Resource for Addressing Workplace Challenges

When challenges or disputes arise, it’s natural to feel hesitant about addressing them. You might worry about making a big deal out of something or fear that speaking up could lead to more stress. However, avoiding conflicts, harassment, or other discriminatory or unprofessional behaviors can take a toll. It can impact your well-being or career and the overall atmosphere of your professional settings. For these and other reasons, it’s important to know that there’s a unique resource available to you as an AEA member to help navigate these situations and improve your experience.

The AEA Ombuds Resource is designed to support you in steering through challenges you may face in the economics profession. Whether it’s a misunderstanding with a colleague, navigating a difficult conversation with a fellow association member, figuring out how to voice concerns constructively, or if you observe or experience harassment or discrimination, we can help with any career-related concern no matter how big or small it seems.

What Does an Ombuds Do, and How Is It Relevant to You?

First, let’s address a common question: How do you pronounce "ombuds"? It’s pronounced "ahm-buds," and it comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.” That’s exactly what we do—listen and provide guidance.

Our role is to work with AEA members to provide a safe space to talk about issues or concerns, explore options for resolving conflicts, and bring systemic concerns to the attention of the AEA. We are impartial, independent, informal, and confidential.

Why Should You Care About the Ombuds Program?

You spend a significant amount of time with your professional colleagues, so it’s only natural that issues will come up from time to time. Whether it's a disagreement with others, feeling left out of important decisions within your department or committee, or simply needing to vent about a frustrating situation, we are here to help.

Our role is also to contribute to fostering a positive professional culture. When association members feel heard and supported, they’re more likely to be engaged, productive, and committed to their roles. It’s a win-win situation—happy and supported people lead to successful outcomes.

How Can an Ombuds Help You

Imagine this: You’ve been feeling sidelined in departmental meetings and unsure how to address it without causing tension or making the situation worse. Or perhaps you’re struggling with a conflict that’s impacting your ability to fulfil your role effectively. Or perhaps you witness sexual harassment, and you don’t know if or how to report it. The ombuds can provide a confidential space to discuss these concerns and guide you in developing strategies to move forward.

For example, consider Mark, a faculty member at a university, who was feeling excluded from departmental decisions and didn’t know how to bring it up without sounding like he was complaining. The ombuds provided a safe space for him to express his concerns and guided him on how to approach his department chair in a constructive, solution-focused way.

What to Expect When You Reach Out to an Ombuds

When you reach out to the ombuds, you can expect confidentiality, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach. We offer a safe space to discuss your concerns and help you determine the best way to address them. The goal is to empower you to navigate the challenges in a way that feels right for you.

The process is simple: You reach out, share your concerns, and we listen. We might ask questions to help clarify the situation, suggest different approaches, broaden your perspective, help you role-play a difficult conversation, reframe or clarify a draft written communication in real time, raise concerns anonymously to leadership, or simply provide a space for you to think through your next steps.

The AEA Ombuds Team further serves as a crucial resource for members who have experienced harassment or discrimination, or other unwelcome behaviors, whether in their workplaces or within other professional settings. AEA members who face such challenges are encouraged to contact an ombuds team member to discuss their concerns confidentially and explore the best course of action suited to their circumstances. The Ombuds Resource offers a safe and impartial space to consider options, empowering members to navigate these difficult situations and find a constructive path forward.

Addressing Systemic Issues Through Aggregated Data

Beyond helping individuals, we help improve the profession as a whole. By gathering and analyzing aggregated data from the concerns and issues raised—without revealing anyone's identity—we aim to identify patterns and systemic issues that may be affecting the profession. This data can be shared with leadership anonymously, supporting their efforts to address broader challenges and make meaningful changes.

How to Get in Touch

So, if you ever find yourself thinking, "I wish I had someone to talk to about this," we are a call or email away. Don’t wait for things to pile up—reach out sooner rather than later.

It’s not just about resolving conflicts; it’s about creating a profession where you feel valued, respected, and empowered.

Got questions? Want to know more? Reach out to a member of the ombuds team today by visiting https://www.mwi.org/aea-ombuds/.