Ethical Principles

HCC Office of the Ombudsman adheres to the Code of Ethics of the International Ombudsman Association that includes the following:

Independence: The Ombudsman is independent in structure, function, and appearance to the highest degree possible within the organization.

Neutrality and Impartiality: The Ombudsman, as a designated neutral, remains unaligned and impartial. The Ombudsman does not engage in any situation which could create a conflict of interest.

Confidentiality: The Ombudsman holds all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence, and does not disclose confidential communications unless given permission to do so. The only exception to confidentiality is where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm.

Informality: The Ombudsman, as an informal resource, does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure related to concerns brought to his! her attention.

Note: The Office of the Ombudsman does not use electronic mail because it is not a confidential means of communication. Persons desiring to communicate with the Office of the Ombudsman should use the confidential phone line to schedule an appointment.