Key Topic: Interview Questions for Social Audits

Two construction workers wearing hard hats and vests sitting on a stone wall, grayscale
Photo Credit: Sabina Kallari_Pexels

The best social compliance audit interview questions flow directly from the code of conduct; in a sense, they “translate” the broader statements in the code into specific data points that must be gathered to assess compliance with the code. 

For example, with respect to child labor, a code of conduct might say:

  • Suppliers shall not employ children under age 15 or the minimum age for work as defined by local law, whichever is higher. 

Based on this code provision, the audit tool would then guide the auditor to examine issues such as:

  • What proof of age documentation is required at the time of hire? How is this documentation verified? Where is proof of age documentation kept? 
  • If there are children under age 15 in the facility, are they working in a legal apprenticeship or training program? What documentation does the facility keep to verify that this is a legitimate apprenticeship or training program? 
  • Are children doing “light work” as defined by local law and international standards? How does the facility define and document light work? 
  • What are the working conditions of all persons under age 18? What specific tasks are they performing? What equipment are they using? Are these tasks or equipment hazardous? 
  • How does the facility distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous tasks, and how is the facility ensuring that persons under age 18 do not engage in hazardous tasks in violation of local labor law or international standards? 

The ILO’s Combatting Forced Labor: A Handbook for Employers and Business, Booklet 4 contains a useful checklist and guidance for auditors and compliance personnel to identify forced labor at the enterprise level and in global supply chains. 

  • For a guide on protecting against trafficking in persons, see: Responsible Sourcing Tool 1A, Recruitment and Employment Benchmarks 
  • Auditors should research in advance any vulnerabilities that the worker population at the facility may experience and should be attentive to subtle hints that workers may be subject to pressure or coercion.