If I were an Auditor…
After spending the past couple of weeks in North and Far North Queensland listening to growers, we heard the issues loud and clear. Fair margins were rightfully at the top of the list, as were workforce issues including the new deed and guidelines with the PALM scheme, however the main theme we heard was around compliance burden and auditors. Disturbingly we also noted the significant impact to growers’ mental health an audit can cause.
So, this week it is an ode to auditors (from whatever persuasion) from the words of our growers.
If I were an auditor, I’d…
speak nicely to growers and think well of them. They are trying their best to get it right! Farming is their forte.
try to add value to their business by sharing knowledge.
streamline the number of audits over the year like they do in the meat and livestock industry – imagine that!
set an appointment time and stick to it – respect that growers are busy too.
give credit where credit is due and be open with feedback where they are doing well and not only focus on the bad – this is better for anyone’s mental health.
wear the required PPE and turn up in work boots.
learn about farms and growers especially if you’re not from the country.
have a duty of care to the growers I’m auditing so their mental health remains intact after I leave.
have referrals on-hand if growers and/or their staff are upset during or after my visit.
accept growers’ honesty, openness and directness.
respect their boundaries and realise I am entering someone’s home to do my work.
be consistent with how I charge for my services.
be myself and hold lightly the power in my hands.
Ensure I wouldn’t make growers feel like they are back in school being visited by the school principal.
learn as much as I can about engaging growers to do the best, most respectful job I can.
In summary, growers want to get things right however also need it acknowledged there are a lot of things to get right! Growers understand audits are a part of their industry however more respect for the grower is needed. The audit matters, the approach matters.
