The Ombuds Team: An Independent and Confidential Resource for UC Berkeley Staff

Confidential. Independent. Impartial. Informal.

If you experience any kind of workplace issue and you are not sure what to do or who to talk to, the ombuds team is here for you!

We can help with any workplace issue, including:

Communication challenges
Abrasive behavior
Unethical behavior
Microaggressions
Perceived unfair treatment
Perceived harassment/discrimination

Challenging group dynamics
Accusations against you
Fear of speaking up
Confusing/concerning processes or procedures
Any other concern, big or small

In a confidential, off-the-record meeting, we will listen, explore different options for addressing your concerns, help you navigate relevant organizational resources, and coach you through how to effectively communicate your concerns to others should you choose to do so. We can also help facilitate discussions between two or more people when appropriate. What is an ombuds? The term “ombuds” (pronounced “ahm–buhds”) comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.” The ombuds team is an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource for UC Berkeley. The UC Berkeley’s Ombuds Team has three ombuds (Ralph Johnson, Tera Bisbee, and Jen Sims (see bios below), a.k.a., the ombuds team) who are available to work with UC Berkeley staff to effectively manage, address, and surface work-related issues. The ombuds team supplements and does not replace UC Berkeley’s formal administrative channels.

Ombuds Team Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About the ombuds team at UC Berkeley:

Ralph Johnson (ralph-ombuds@mwi.org and 216-780-9056) is an experienced ombuds and trainer with MWI. He served as the America Ombuds for 10 years at McKinsey & Company, a global management consultancy, where he helped colleagues address workplace conflicts, including claims of harassment and/or discrimination, career advancement, and personal challenges. He was an active member of the International Ombuds Association and served as a core faculty member for the Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice course. Ralph began his career at General Motors where he worked as an engineer, manufacturing foreman, and general foreman. He managed several machining and final assembly departments with 44 hourly (UAW) employees under his supervision. He spent most of his career at McKinsey where he was a management consultant, left the firm for three years to head the Cuyahoga (Cleveland) County Welfare Reform Department, then returned to be people leader for McKinsey’s Operations Practice and people/administrative leader for McKinsey’s Social Sector Office, executive coach in McKinsey’s Black Executive Leadership Program, and senior member of the global McKinsey Black Network. After a 26-year career at McKinsey, he recently served two years as CEO of Breakthrough Public Schools, a network of public charter schools educating over 3,000 elementary students in Cleveland. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, a BS in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University, and a BS in Business Administration from Aquinas College.

Schedule a time to talk with Ralph by sending an email to ralph-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 216-780-9056.

Tera Bisbee (tera-ombuds@mwi.orge and 805-668-3771) is an experienced ombuds, mediator, facilitator, and trainer. She was the organizational ombuds for seven years at Cal State University San Bernardino, where she provided services to students, faculty, staff, administrators, or anyone with a university-related concern. She has provided mediation, conflict interventions, and leadership development for higher education, corporations, and non-profit organizations. She also has a background in leadership coaching, specializing in coaching abrasive leaders to improve their interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence skills. Tools she has employed to help individuals and organizations grow and increase their capabilities include 360 surveys based on leadership competencies and Leadership Effectiveness Training. She enjoys partnering with clients to create solutions, increase their competencies, and transform high-conflict or dysfunctional situations into healthy, effective, and productive ones. She has two Masters degrees, employee and labor relations experience, and has taught management and HR courses for the University of Redlands. She also likes writing and maintaining a sense of humor.

Schedule a time to talk with Tera by sending an email to tera-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 805-668-3771.

Jen Sims (jen-ombuds@mwi.org and 432-294-5673) is an experienced ombuds with MWI. She has experience working as an organizational ombuds for industries, including for-profit universities, governmental, and small businesses. She also works as a conference ombuds, helping to ensure conference attendees feel safe and welcome at conferences. Jen has provided conflict management and collaboration services as an external consultant and professional neutral for over 20 years. She has been a mediator both in Hawaii and Texas since 2005. She also has facilitated large complex public policy issues. Previously she was the Staff Ombuds Office for the University of Texas, where she founded this office and directed it for more than six years. She is an ombuds because she believes people want to do good work and be respected. Though conflicts are inevitable, they also offer opportunities for positive change, learning, and professional development. Before becoming an ombuds, she served in various administrative, teaching, and research roles for the Hawaii State Judiciary and the University of Hawaii. Her practice emphasizes informal methods to address situations that aren’t working well for visitors. Jen applies observation skills, deep listening, inquiry, sense-making, and assessment of patterns to uncover possible responses a visitor might consider.

Schedule a time to talk with Jen by sending an email to jen-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 432-294-5673.

Contact

Email: Email any member of UC Berkeley Ombuds Team at the email addresses provided here – ralph-ombuds@mwi.org, tera-ombuds@mwi.org, jen-ombuds@mwi.org.
Confidential web form: If you would like an ombuds to contact you, please fill in this confidential webform with your information.
Phone: Please contact Ralph at 216-780-9056, Tera at 805-668-3771, or Jen at 432-294-5673.

Any ombuds team member will get back to you within one business day.

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The UC Berkeley Ombuds Team was established under a charter approved by the Chancellor. A copy of that charter is available here. The charter incorporates by reference the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and requires that the UC Berkeley Ombuds Team adhere to the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The charter, as well as the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, contain important information about the UC Berkeley Ombuds Team and the manner in which it functions. Due to the independent, impartial, informal, and confidential nature of the ombuds function, communication with the ombuds does not constitute formal notice to UC Berkeley.