The CERN Ombud’s Office was established in 2010: the same time that the CERN Code of Conduct was published. Appointed by the Director-General, the CERN Ombud provides confidential advice; helps to resolve interpersonal disputes; listens to, examines and shares problems and concerns; and helps people apply the CERN Code of Conduct. 

The Ombud represents a zero-barrier, informal, independent, impartial and confidential channel for all members of the personnel (users, graduates, fellows, students and staff members) as well as everyone else working at or on behalf of CERN.

The Ombud is guided by the fundamental ethical principles of independence, impartiality, informality and confidentiality when fulfilling responsibilities such as:

• helping individuals at all levels of the Organization: remaining non-judgmental, showing empathy and respect for individual differences without serving as an advocate for any person or entity;
• resolving conflict: facilitating non-violent communication and mutual understanding between conflicting parties; proposing informal resolutions to disputes, such as collaborative problem-solving, facilitated discussion or mediation – including in harassment complaints, as provided for in Operational Circular No.9;
• assisting the Organization by bringing emerging or systemic concerns to the attention of the Management, thereby promoting fairness, respect, diversity and belonging.

According to the International Ombuds Association, organisations with an ombud’s office commonly cite the following benefits of the service:

• offering a safe place for members of the workforce to discuss concerns and understand their options without fear of retaliation or that simply raising a concern will automatically lead to formal action being taken;
• helping to identify unethical behaviour that had previously been undetected or unreported;
• facilitating two-way informal communication to resolve workplace disputes before they escalate;
• improving employee satisfaction, morale and retention by humanising the institution through the establishment of a resource that provides safe and informal opportunities to be heard;
• providing upward feedback to management about organisational trends.

Visitors to the CERN Ombud’s Office in 2024 & 2025 represented the full range of CERN’s personnel categories and came from all sectors, units and departments. The wide range of situations and concerns shared voluntarily with the Ombud, discussed frankly and in complete confidence, allow the Ombud to take the pulse of the Organization and address patterns of concern, to the benefit of CERN and its workforce.

As in previous years, most of the issues raised involved conflict in working relationships, either between persons in a hierarchy or between peers, where those involved had different ideas, opinions or ways of working.

Independence does not equal isolation and ombuds are at the very heart of their organisations. In my time working at CERN, I have built key partnerships based on mutual trust, and I have since established new ones during my first year and a half as Ombud. In addition, the CERN Ombud is a member of several professional ombud networks.

Since 2011, the CERN Ombud has published regular articles in the Bulletin, covering the CERN Code of Conduct, the Organization’s values, the role of the Ombud and other CERN response channels. These have provided a great opportunity to raise awareness of common challenges across the Organization and to promote mutual respect and conflict resolution.

The role represents a commitment by CERN and its Management to the well-being of all its collaborators and to the promotion of a safe, healthy and respectful workplace.

Contacting the Ombud should never be a last resort – it should be the first step!

Thank you and see you soon,

Marie-Luce Falipou

CERN Ombud

Office 500/1-004

Tel. 161210

Visit the Ombud’s website to learn more or get in touch: https://ombuds.web.cern.ch