9 replies to this topic

[PQAManager]

I have an employee that does not practice the hygiene expected by GMPs.  How do I address this as a QA Manager and SQF Practitioner?  I want to know where I stand legally too on a touchy subject like this?  We have talked to this employee numerous times and it doesn't seem to help.  One manager doesn't want to fire him because he comes to work and is on time.  What do I do?

[mgourley]

I guess the question would be what specifically is the nonconformance?

Is there anything in a employee handbook that spells out what the requirements are?

Have you asked HR?

 

Marshall

[Alexandra's birdwing]

Be specific to the non conformance the employee's hygiene is having with regard to food safety,  whether that is your own business  personal food hygiene standards, customer expected standards and / or a globally recognised food safety standard clause e.g FSSC, BRCGS, IFS,  ISO/TS 220002-1 :2009  clauses 13.7 and 13.8  are very prescriptive on what is required, around personal cleanliness 13.7 and personal behaviour 13.8 . This makes it less about the person and more about meeting the objective standards everybody across the business is required to follow in order to  meet good food safety standards,  based on evidence of what works to make safe food products . Hope it helps.  

[PQAManager]

The employee smells bad at least once a week.  Also, it seems that other employees are saying he wears the same pants sometimes and his clothes do not look clean.

[mgourley]

If there are specific rules about employee hygiene at your workplace, and the person is not abiding by those rules, you need to at least counsel the employee.

Ensure the employee is aware of the importance of personal hygiene as it relates to food safety in your facility.

Was the employee trained? Is it documented?

 

Again, if you have to involve HR to ensure you are doing the right thing, please use them as a resource.

If this particular employee was never trained on the importance of personal hygiene, you missed an opportunity.

If this particular employee was trained on the importance of personal hygiene, then he is not meeting the requirements and needs to be counseled or disciplined in some form.

 

This particular employee may have socio-economic issues that prevent him from showing up to work clean. I get all that, but that does not absolve you of your requirement that employees meet established personal hygiene rules.

 

Marshall

[sqflady]

Coaching, verbal warning, written warning, termination.  

[tharinduth]

The employee smells bad at least once a week.  Also, it seems that other employees are saying he wears the same pants sometimes and his clothes do not look clean.

 

Hi, try to give him disposable gown each day to use during the production. It may helps to prevent cross contaminations at least. 

[SQFconsultant]

Fire

[Fishlady]

Do you know if he has a stable living situation? He may not have access to a shower or washing machine outside of work. You should check with HR to see if there are resources he can use if this is the case.

[PQAManager]

Thanks everyone for your input.  He is no longer with the company so things worked themself out.