OMBUDS SERVICES

2026-11-03

Wake County Public School System is seeking to procure contracted workplace ombudsman services to provide confidential , independent , neutral and informal resources to assist employees in addressing conflicts and concerns . The purpose of this contract is to engage one or more independent contractors to serve as the Employee Ombuds for WCPSS . The Ombuds will provide employees with access to a confidential , independent , impartial , and informal resource for the resolution of workplace concerns , conflicts , and issues . The Ombuds function is intended to : ▪ Facilitate informal conflict resolution ▪ Promote fair and equitable treatment of employees ▪ Provide feedback and recommendations to leadership The Ombuds shall supplement — not replace — formal complaints , grievance , or legal processes . 2 . 1 Core Responsibilities The Ombuds shall : A . Intake and Consultation o Provide voluntary , confidential consultations to employees o Receive and assess concerns from individuals or groups o Clarify issues and help identify desired outcomes B . Systems Monitoring and Feedback o Identify patterns and trends o Elevate significant concerns to appropriate leadership ( without breaching confidentiality ) o Provide recommendations for organizational improvement 3 . Authority and Limitations The Ombuds shall : 3 . 1 Authority o Access relevant information necessary to perform duties o Observe meetings , committees , or task forces as appropriate and permitted o Operate independently 3 . 2 Limitations The Ombuds shall NOT : o Make binding decisions o Conduct formal investigations o Participate in formal complaint or grievance procedures o Serve as an advocate for any party o Provide legal advice o Accept formal complaints

North Carolina

2026-05-05