We regularly get audited by regulatory and certification bodies, as well as the occasional supplier, and one question that is always asked - often related to cost/time allocated - is the number of employees.
Should I report just the personnel related to the scope of the audit? Or do you include all personnel, regardless of role? In the past, I've just reported all, as it made no difference. But now we've got a handful of people doing non-QMS related stuff (they are on-premise the same shift as everyone else, but don't interact with the quality system at all).
I get varied answers from auditing bodies. Personally, I don't think they need to be included if their role is outside the scope of audit, and that those auditing bodies that say they should are just wanting you to report the highest employee count possible especially if it increases the calculated audit time.
Curious to know what others think...
Should I report just the personnel related to the scope of the audit? Or do you include all personnel, regardless of role? In the past, I've just reported all, as it made no difference. But now we've got a handful of people doing non-QMS related stuff (they are on-premise the same shift as everyone else, but don't interact with the quality system at all).
I get varied answers from auditing bodies. Personally, I don't think they need to be included if their role is outside the scope of audit, and that those auditing bodies that say they should are just wanting you to report the highest employee count possible especially if it increases the calculated audit time.
Curious to know what others think...