Introducing SQF To Employees

Hi all,

We are currently in the process of starting SQF implementation.  I have experience with compliance from previous jobs, but 99% of the employees at my current job are unaware of what certification means both to the company and to them in regards to their jobs.  What is some good advice on ways to introduce SQF to employees to help them understand the importance of getting certified and start the "culture change"?

There is a bounty of information on the www.sqfi.com website that can be conveyed to the employees and training programs such as those offered by Alchemy are great too. 

1) First off, make sure managment is committed, as you know thats an sqf requirement, better yet make sure they're "dedicated" if managment doesn't support you, then neither will the staff.

2) Be positive, if the people in charge of it are negative why should the staff be positive.

3) Let the staff be aware of whats happening, get them involved, let them do the work, reward them when stuffs right, let them know when things are wrong. Don't keep progress or hold ups secret, transperancy helps with the "buy in" . Explain to them why they have to do everything they do, workers are far more willing to do 20 minutes of paperwork in a day if they know it serves a purpose rather than just "because i say so".

Sorry i had more to say but screwed up

to continue on number 3

Encurage input,  i get input when i make/revise forms sop's and procedures, because they know what they do and i don't, who am i to tell them do it "this way" if they do it "that way" because they know "this way" doesn't work. Validate their input, example If they tell you something they do is redundant or obsolete either they don't understand why they do that task or it needs to be removed. 

4) Be approachable, being a misserable tyrant doesn't help one bit neither does being a push over, respect works both ways and having a good reputation goes a long way. Also during training i let everybody know what being the SQF Practitioner entails so that way your not just some guy who sits at his desk and plays solitaire all day.

5) Set the expectations, this goes hand in hand with training, i tell everybody this when they start, and i do actually say this " this level is the minimum, this level is what i like, im not i tyrant and im reasonable, and if you want to do the minimum thats fine, but if you ever drop below that you'll here about it, and if you do extra i'll make sure the right people hear about it."

I've found this lets them know that your a decent person but not a push over

6) REWARDS, this is optional, but don't make it the only means you use or you will fail, rewards of some type help with motivation, but they can also set the wrong expectations. Bonus plans are site or company tailored but they have to be done right.

Hope that helps, if you have any more questions you may pm me

Hi all,

We are currently in the process of starting SQF implementation.  I have experience with compliance from previous jobs, but 99% of the employees at my current job are unaware of what certification means both to the company and to them in regards to their jobs.  What is some good advice on ways to introduce SQF to employees to help them understand the importance of getting certified and start the "culture change"?

Hi Sarah,

This can be done for all employees with a brief 'Introduction to SQF' presentation.

Communication of requirements can be carried out by:
Training relevant to roles
Supervision/Coaching/Mentors
Team briefings
Staff reviews
Daily Management meetings
Shift Handover meetings
Newsletters
Notice boards

Regards,

Tony