We previously covered the preparation checklist for a BSCI factory audit. This article walks through what actually happens on audit day, so you know what to expect.
The General Flow of Audit Day
- Opening meeting: the auditor briefs factory management on the audit scope and process, outlining the day's rough schedule
- Document review: verifying the various documents the factory provides — business license, employee roster, attendance records, payroll, labor contracts, fire safety certifications, and more
- Facility walkthrough: the auditor physically tours the production floor, dormitories (if applicable), cafeteria, fire exits, hazardous material storage areas, verifying whether actual conditions match the documentation
- Worker interviews: a random sample of workers is interviewed individually about actual working hours, wage payment, and whether they've been asked to misrepresent information — management is typically not present for this part
- Closing meeting: before the audit ends, the auditor briefs management on any issues found that day and outlines corrective action requirements
Where Problems Most Commonly Arise
- Attendance records not matching actual working hours: the most common issue type — e.g., clock-in records don't align with actual time on the floor
- Worker interview responses contradicting documentation: if what workers report doesn't match the factory's provided documents, this tends to get flagged as inaccurate record-keeping
- Blocked fire exits: a common hard finding during the facility walkthrough, and an easy point deduction
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does audit day take? A: It depends on the factory's size and headcount — generally, a small-to-medium factory audit takes about a day, while larger factories may need more time.
Q: Does the auditor announce ahead of time which workers will be interviewed? A: No — worker interviews are typically randomly selected on-site, so the factory can't pre-arrange "prepared" workers to respond. This is one of the audit's core purposes — ensuring the picture reflects reality.
If you're preparing for a BSCI factory audit, reach out to us — we can help you organize your pre-audit preparation and think through how to handle common issues.