Overview

The Ombuds for Faculty and Staff serves as an off-the-record, neutral, and informal resource for Northeastern University employees seeking assistance with work-related concerns.

Communications with the Ombuds are confidential, and the Ombuds Office is independent of all other University offices.

You may contact the Ombuds as a first step or a last resort—or at any point along the way—to discuss any work-related issue or problem. The Ombuds will listen to your concerns, connect you to resources and information, help you evaluate your situation, and explore and assess avenues for resolution. At your request and as appropriate, the Ombuds may reach out to others on your behalf to seek additional information or clarification to better understand an issue. The Ombuds can provide coaching with written and verbal communications, assist through shuttle diplomacy or informal mediation, or simply be present in a discussion as a neutral.

The Ombuds can help you assess the potential benefits and risks associated with different courses of action so that you can determine how to address the issue most safely and effectively. You control the process and decide what actions if any you might take.

For additional information about the Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff, please view the Northeastern University Ombuds Offices Terms of Reference (developed in conjunction with the Graduate Ombuds Office).