People come to them for interpretations of the rules. Since they are often co-authors of the organizational code of conduct they become responsible for defining for the organization what is right, good, fair, acceptable and unacceptable. When a decision or action is not covered by policy, precedent or the code of conduct and cannot be clearly evaluated in the light of community standards, the ombudsman may be asked for a ruling. They may be both prosecutor and judge, hearing a complaint, weighing its merits and empowered to recommend the resolution they deem most appropriate. They may also be empowered to impose sanctions for ethical transgressions.
Ombudsmen are also counselors.
As the resident expert on ethical questions they are sought out for guidance and direction, helping individuals resolve ethical dilemmas. People often find themselves choosing between alternatives that may all be ethical by the organization's definition, but which vary by degree of rightness from the individual's perspective. Ombudsmen continue to provide a safe haven. They allow for individuals to go outside organizational protocols to raise ethical issues. They protect those who are acting to protect the organization from the unethical actions of those in power.