M
Hello,
We are a small (15 people) Norwegian company that employs 2 foreigners. The language used to communicate with them is English - a language which is non-native for all. We are developing and at the moment already implementing the QS based on ISO 9001:2000.
I read some of the threads here and I understand that in order to comply with the standard we need to prove that our internal communication, trainings, competence levels and general QS awareness are effective/acceptable for all employees.
The problem that I face now is related to the language all the documentation should be in. Here are the scenarios I am considering. Can you give some opinions on that topic?
1) Procedures and work instructions related to work area of those 2 persons are in English, rest in Norwegian.
Effect: These 2 persons cannot understand OP, WI, Quality manual and other documents. Rest of the organization understands the English documents reasonably well.
2) Procedures and work instructions related to work area of those 2 persons are both in English and Norwegian, rest is in Norwegian.
Effect: Rest of the organization understands all the documents without any problem
3) All the OP and WI are in both languages.
Effect: All in organization understand the documents. Document control work is doubled.
Backgourd facts
a) company has not formally defined the company language. The practice shows it is Norwegian and the part that affects the work of the 2 persons is translated or communicated to them in a separate session.
b) Those do not know Norwegian. Rest do know English, communicate well, but are not comfortable with relating to written English on day-to-day basis (topic was already discussed)
c) as company is small the internal communication, verbal instructions and training are by far the main source of knowledge and competence.
The core question for me is: Can we avoid scenario 3, without non-compliance. We do know that in this case the 2 person will not be able to refer to these documents, they would however have a general knowledge about the processes. Is it sufficient?
... That was a lengthy way to put a question
. I just wanted to make sure all info needed is in place from the beginning.I hope this will not deter you.
This forum has been a great help so far, especially as I am still learning a lot, many questions got answered before I even posted them. It is a great resource.
I would like to ask for some expert knowledge on this matter?
We are a small (15 people) Norwegian company that employs 2 foreigners. The language used to communicate with them is English - a language which is non-native for all. We are developing and at the moment already implementing the QS based on ISO 9001:2000.
I read some of the threads here and I understand that in order to comply with the standard we need to prove that our internal communication, trainings, competence levels and general QS awareness are effective/acceptable for all employees.
The problem that I face now is related to the language all the documentation should be in. Here are the scenarios I am considering. Can you give some opinions on that topic?
1) Procedures and work instructions related to work area of those 2 persons are in English, rest in Norwegian.
Effect: These 2 persons cannot understand OP, WI, Quality manual and other documents. Rest of the organization understands the English documents reasonably well.
2) Procedures and work instructions related to work area of those 2 persons are both in English and Norwegian, rest is in Norwegian.
Effect: Rest of the organization understands all the documents without any problem
3) All the OP and WI are in both languages.
Effect: All in organization understand the documents. Document control work is doubled.
Backgourd facts
a) company has not formally defined the company language. The practice shows it is Norwegian and the part that affects the work of the 2 persons is translated or communicated to them in a separate session.
b) Those do not know Norwegian. Rest do know English, communicate well, but are not comfortable with relating to written English on day-to-day basis (topic was already discussed)
c) as company is small the internal communication, verbal instructions and training are by far the main source of knowledge and competence.
The core question for me is: Can we avoid scenario 3, without non-compliance. We do know that in this case the 2 person will not be able to refer to these documents, they would however have a general knowledge about the processes. Is it sufficient?
... That was a lengthy way to put a question
This forum has been a great help so far, especially as I am still learning a lot, many questions got answered before I even posted them. It is a great resource.
I would like to ask for some expert knowledge on this matter?
