Tips and Ideas for Working with Auditors

[Doug Tropf]

All kidding aside... should auditees at least ask auditors out to lunch?

FWIW, on the topic of unethical activities, most of the study material I covered in preparing for the ASQ CQA exam advised that auditors should decline free lunches and such.

 

[Jim Wynne]

FWIW, on the topic of unethical activities, most of the study material I covered in preparing for the ASQ CQA exam advised that auditors should decline free lunches and such.

I think that's absurd. There's nothing unethical about good hospitality.

 

[Randy]

FWIW, on the topic of unethical activities, most of the study material I covered in preparing for the ASQ CQA exam advised that auditors should decline free lunches and such.

Why, because we're being bought off? I have a per diem I can't possibly meet the max of and a $3.00 $6.00 sandwich is going to influence me? Maybe the preparer's of those materials need to realign their ethics. Do those folks really think that or are they just blowing some more hot, puffy air?

"We really expect a good report, and oh, by the way, here's a ham & cheese to sweeten the deal."

Offer me a Corvette (preferably C3 or C4) and I might consider it, but a Quizno's?

 

[Benjamin28]

I think typically it's not so much a matter of finances. I typically treat auditors to lunch because as Jim says it's just good hospitality, it's unfriendly to allow a visitor to your town/business to go to lunch in an area they are unfamiliar with and by themselves.

On the same side of the coin I don't think auditors should expect you to take them out to lunch and foot the bill.

 

[Wes Bucey]

FWIW, on the topic of unethical activities, most of the study material I covered in preparing for the ASQ CQA exam advised that auditors should decline free lunches and such.

The problem with "absolutes" is there is no way to tell someone it is OK to bring in deli sandwiches for audit crew and their escorts or feed someone in the company cafeteria free to all employees, especially when the facility may be far from any reasonable place for the auditor to fetch his own lunch.

The other side of the coin is when lunch turns into a 3 hour binge at a local "gentlemen's club" with lap dances included (and perhaps surreptitious photos.)

Heck, even the IRS has guidelines for on-site auditors to accept beverages, snacks, and reasonably priced lunches on-site in lieu of leaving the premises for an extended search to find and eat lunch.

 

[Valeri]

I think that's absurd.

During our audits, all our plants have lunches brought in (some locations have better food than others) and the auditor joins top management for lunch. NOTE: Free food does tend to keep management available

 

[michellemmm]

"We really expect a good report, and oh, by the way, here's a ham & cheese to sweeten the deal."

We only offer peanut butter/jelly (sugar free) sandwich.

Can we get certified with zero nonconformity?

 

[Wes Bucey]

We only offer peanut butter/jelly (sugar free) sandwich.

Can we get certified with zero nonconformity?

That sounds like one of those places where bottled water is more expensive than beer and most likely less free of microbial contamination than the beer!

 

[BradM]

FWIW, on the topic of unethical activities, most of the study material I covered in preparing for the ASQ CQA exam advised that auditors should decline free lunches and such.

I'm glad Doug mentioned this...

While you are all correct in your replies, I was trained the same as Doug. Hence the reason I broached the subject.

 

[BradM]

We only offer peanut butter/jelly (sugar free) sandwich.

Can we get certified with zero nonconformity?

Offer me a sugar free PBJ, and I'm gonna find something to write up!!