. EIJ Navigator
. Respectful Workplace Advisors Program
. Advisory, Training, and Values
. Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination
. Mediation Services
. Peer Review Services
. Performance Management Review
. Investigations
. Ombuds Services
EIJ Navigator
The EIJ Navigator is a centralized intake and triage function to guide World Bank Group (WBG) staff to the EIJ service that will best address their workplace conflict or ethical question. For complex cases requiring multiple EIJ services, the EIJ Navigator can also help coordinate across EIJ services and recommend sequencing of interventions.
The experienced team of conflict resolution professionals follows a people-centered approach and will transfer individual cases to the relevant service within EIJ, with the consent of the staff member. The team will also support staff who have questions or concerns while their case is in process in the other service until the conclusion of their case.
All you need to do is contact AskEIJ@worldbankgroup.org and we will take care of the rest.
The EIJ Navigator is part of EIJ’s Client Services function.
Respectful Workplace Advisors Program
Respectful Workplace Advisors (RWAs) are a global network of more than 250 staff volunteers across WBG country offices and Washington, DC. They act as Ethics Champions for EIJ and serve as an informal and “off the record” source of assistance for staff facing concerns about difficult workplace issues.
Nominated by their colleagues for two-year terms, RWAs help foster a positive and respectful workplace environment in which all staff can work together with openness and trust, in ways that demonstrate respect and value differences.
All WBG colleagues, regardless of contract type, have access to RWAs. Colleagues can consult any RWA, not necessarily the one in their location.
The RWA program is part of EIJ’s Client Services function.
Contact: rwa@worldbank.org
Advisory, Training, and Values
The Advisory, Training, and Values (ATV) unit promotes the development and application of ethical standards by all WBG staff. As custodian of the institution’s Core Values and Code of Ethics, ATV provides advice and guidance on compliance with Staff Directives and ethical behaviors. ATV also conducts extensive training and outreach for all staff, ensuring that WBG staff are aware of their obligations and model expected behaviors. By focusing on prevention, ATV aims to heighten awareness of potential ethical challenges and integrate our Core Values into daily activities and WBG operations to facilitate a respectful and ethical workplace culture.
Matters that can be addressed by ATV include: conflicts of interest, financial interests and disclosure, G-5 domestic employee issues, gifts, honoraria, failure to meet personal legal obligations, outside employment, political activities, and social media postings.
Training offerings include ethics and conflict of interest, promoting respectful workplace behaviors, effective communication and workplace conflict management skills, ethical leadership, and teambuilding.
ATV is part of EIJ’s Ethics Advice and Early Interventions function.
Contact: ethics_helpline@worldbank.org or 1-202-473-0279
Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination
The Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination (AHAD) unit addresses reports and allegations of harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination of all types, and sexual exploitation and abuse, covering different levels of severity.
Using a survivor-centered approach, AHAD supports WBG staff as well as external parties who report allegations against WBG staff. AHAD conducts initial consultations to identify the nature of the concerns and advises on options to address them. With consent from affected individuals, the unit may also discuss affected individuals’ situations with alleged offenders and/or management, recommend protective and remedial measures, directly intervene to caution alleged offenders about inappropriate behaviors, or refer cases of potential misconduct to EIJ’s Investigations Unit (INV) for formal review. The AHAD unit deals with individual and systemic issues with the utmost discretion, impartiality, and with consent of the affected individual to foster a workplace culture free from harassment and discrimination.
If you are WBG staff or a family member seeking help against domestic abuse, please contact the Domestic Abuse Prevention Program of the Health and Safety Directorate.
AHAD is part of the EIJ’s Ethics Advice and Early Interventions function.
Contact: ahad@worldbank.org
Mediation Services
The Mediation Services unit offers staff an alternative to formal dispute resolution mechanisms. Mediation is an informal, confidential process through which staff, with the guidance of an experienced mediator, can address and resolve their workplace conflicts, and reach a binding agreement. Mediation Services also facilitates Restorative Dialogs between staff seeking to resolve ongoing issues or concerns.
In addition to mediation, Mediation Services supports teams through team building and conflict management capacity building.
Mediation Services is part of EIJ’s Mediation and Formal Reviews function.
Contact: mediation@worldbank.org
Peer Review Services
The Peer Review Services (PRS) is the first tier of the WBG’s grievance process. It offers current and former WBG staff an impartial forum for the review of disputed employment matters, by a panel of three of their peers, to determine if the action, inaction or decision related to the disputed employment matter constitutes a breach of the employment contract. Panels review whether the decision, action, or inaction has a reasonable and observable basis and was taken following a fair process and in good faith and are supported by the PRS Secretariat.
To have a disputed employment matter reviewed, staff must submit a Request for Review Form with the PRS Secretariat within 120 calendar days of receiving notice or of becoming aware of the employment decision, action, or inaction they wish to challenge. For redundancy decisions, the 120-calendar day deadline starts from the date of the employment termination.
PRS is part of EIJ’s Mediation and Formal Reviews function.
Contact: peerreview@worldbank.org
Performance Management Review
The WBG has a two-tier process for reviewing concerns related to performance management decisions. Administrative Review (AR) is the first tier and is managed by the Human Resources Vice Presidency. If unsatisfied with the AR outcome, staff may proceed to the second tier—a Performance Management Review (PMR), which is a review of the decision by a third-party reviewer. The PMR reviewer will consider whether management acted within its discretion and otherwise satisfied its obligations to the staff member in connection with the decision under review.
Staff members who wish to use the PMR process must submit a request for PMR review within 30 calendar days of receiving the AR decision.
PMR is part of EIJ’s Mediation and Formal Reviews function.
Contact: performancemanagementreview@worldbank.org
Investigations
The Investigations (INV) unit addresses incidents of potential workplace misconduct through a formal investigative process which furthers accountability and helps create a safer working environment for WBG staff. The types of matters addressed by INV include allegations of breach of the Principles of Staff Employment and Staff Directives, including allegations of discrimination and harassment that are not otherwise addressed by the AHAD team’s informal intervention. INV also reviews other allegations of staff misconduct, such as retaliation, abuse of authority, fraudulent claims for benefits, and other misuse of WBG assets.
INV addresses all misconduct complaints it receives, including anonymous complaints, as long as supporting information is received with the allegation. Complainants are encouraged to identify themselves to facilitate the investigation. INV will keep their identity confidential.
INV works with a firm commitment to the principles of due process for everyone involved. If INV finds sufficient evidence to substantiate allegations of staff misconduct, it will submit a report to the Vice President of Human Resources, who imposes disciplinary sanctions if they determine misconduct has occurred.
INV is part of EIJ’s Mediation and Formal Reviews function.
Contact: ethics_helpline@worldbank.org
Ombuds Services
Ombuds Services (OMB) provide impartial, confidential, and informal “off-the-record” support to help staff resolve workplace concerns, including through coaching. Ombuds operate under the principles of confidentiality, informality, impartiality, and independence. OMB is administratively part of EIJ but functionally reports to the WBG President.
Ombuds are independent from WBG formal management channels. They help staff analyze problems and consider options. With staff consent, Ombuds can become involved in resolving issues. They also provide information to staff on WBG policies, alert management to systemic trends and issues, and make recommendations for change. Anyone with a past or current affiliation to WBG (Short Term Consultants and Temporaries, Extended Term Consultants and Temporaries, staff, and retirees) can contact OMB.
Contact: ombudsman@worldbank.org | wbgombuds@gmail.com
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