Root cause analysis, lack of time to effectively train employees
Okay, so if I know the root cause is a lack of time to effectively train employees, what can of worms am i opening by including that in a corrective action plan for a CAR?
A very large one. First question will be what other areas did you not train your employees in?
Agreed with Brian. The auditor's response will be: well, why didn't you make the time?
Training of employees is one of those must-haves for any auditing scheme, and is always a fundamental part of your Food Safety program. To say you didn't have time opens up other things you didn't have time for, and what are your employees really doing if they weren't properly trained.
I would recommend falling on your sword and claiming you just let training slip through the cracks.
Chris
You always need a driver for change, so maybe this is the kick up the pants that senior management needs to provide adequate resources. Of course in doing so you may put your own position at risk; you will know better than I about that. Regardless if lack of employee training is causing food safety issues that could lead to illness of consumers then I think you have a duty to be honest. Not an easy one.
Regards,
Simon
Without knowing the specifics of your particular situation, I'm not sure that a "lack of employee training" could be effectively considered a root cause. From upper management's perspective, It sounds too much of a generalisation.
In other words, to whom is this lack of training focussed on?
In their initial stages, most employees will need to be supervised and mentored. Perhaps this supervision / mentoring was poorly done from the outset? If so, why?
If they are more experienced employees, (and assuming they had been mentored adequately in their early stages of employment) might it actually be a performance related shortcoming?
In my experience, generalisations such as "lack of employee training" can usually only be espoused to those of greater responsibility; when people are placed in situations they are inadequately prepared for, OR, their role has grown beyond their current capabilities.
Good luck.