Indiana Conflict Resolution Institute
 Project: National Institutes of Health










 

 
Projects: United States Postal Service Employment Arbitration Indiana Dept. of Env. Management Indiana ADR Providers Shared Neutrals Program U.S. Dept. of Justice

U.S. Env. Protection Agency

 Environmental Conflict Resolution Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission National Institutes of Health Focus Groups Sessions U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Other

Ombuds Evaluation Project

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Cooperative Resolution offers an alternative to NIH employees who have a conflict or problem with a colleague, coworker, or supervisor, or with practices, policies, or conditions of employment. This ombuds program and other methods of appropriate dispute resolution are designed to improve conflict management at NIH.

The Center for Cooperative Resolution (CCR) represents a change in NIH’s conflict management system. This study will determine how effective an ombuds program is compared with other traditional methods of conflict resolution. To properly determine the differences and likely advantages of CCR, an extensive evaluation of the program is necessary.

In cooperation with NIH, the Indiana Conflict Resolution Institute (ICRI) is in the process of assessing the effectiveness of CCR in helping employees resolve disputes. The study focuses on a number of variables generally used to evaluate the success of conflict resolution programs, including:

  • Settlement rates;
  • Time to settlement;
  • Participant satisfaction; and
  • Impact on participants through transformation of relationships;

Intake forms, final reports, and exit surveys of participants will provide the necessary data. Comparison of results from those pilot institutes employing the CCR program with non-pilot institutes using other methods of conflict resolution within NIH will present the empirical results needed to give a realistic picture of the program’s effectiveness.

As NIH seeks a better way to address workplace conflict, this yearlong evaluation by the NIH and ICRI will provide data on whether CCR is accomplishing its objectives, and feedback to improve its program. This information will also be useful to other organizations and agencies.

 

Indiana Conflict Resolution Institute
Last updated: July 30, 2004
Comments: ICRI Administrator
Copyright 1999 - Indiana University, Bloomington