The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management (DAS/RM) wants to know and address the needs of ORM employees.  Towards that end, the Deputy has established an Ombudsman in the Office of Resolution Management.

ORM’s Ombudsman is an impartial and independent official who confidentially and informally assists other employees to prevent or fairly resolve work-related issues and the need for formal conflict resolution processes.  The Ombudsman also may provide informal reports to senior management on the work environment and make recommendations to concerning workplace issues.

ORM’s Ombudsman is available to employees or applicants for employment adversely affected by an ORM action, policy, or workplace issue.  Other VA employees or applicants may use ORM’s Ombudsman, as determined by the DAS/RM. 

The Ombudsman is independent from the chain of authority in ORM, reporting directly to the DAS/RM.  The Ombudsman must provide confidentiality to employees and cannot directly or indirectly disclose the source of any information without the consent of the source or as required by law, as in the case of criminal activity.  Communications with the Ombudsman are typically informal oral or email contacts.

The Ombudsman is currently a member of the Workplace ADR Team in ORM Central Office but works independently of that office in connection with duties performed as Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman is intended to compliment other formal and informal dispute resolution processes by focusing on prevention, timely intervention, management and resolution of workplace issues affecting employees.

Gregory Burke is ORM’s current Ombudsman and can be contacted by calling (202) 501-2925, faxing (202) 501-2755, or emailing gregory.burke@va.gov.