A report released last month showed that over two dozen Dane County employees reported retaliation, poor workplace culture, and more to a newly created Ombuds office in 2024, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Ombuds office visitors communicated an overall distrust of county administration that impeded willingness to report workplace complaints for fear of retaliation.
The Ombuds office was created in 2024 among several reforms aimed at improving the county’s workforce culture and empowering employees. It is run by Defyne LLC on a two year, $236,000 contract. It saw 28 employee visits last year.
The report concluded that while “employees love their jobs and appreciate their benefits,” they “don’t trust that the administration is looking out for their best interests.”
Nick Bubb, the county assistant director of administration, said, “The Ombuds has made a few recommendations for improving the grievance process. While we review those suggestions, we feel that the grievance process, which includes an appeal to an impartial hearing officer, has served all parties well in the many decades it has been in use.
“The county remains open to considering different approaches that will further foster an environment of support for our employees.”
