Most factories believe SEDEX audits are just about fixing documents before the audit day. That’s only part of the process. The real pressure occurs when auditors start asking direct questions. These questions might go to HR, workers, or even happen on the factory floor. What matters is not just what you’ve written down, but what happens every day. This is where the SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories come into play. They reveal gaps your team may not even know about.
SMETA Audit Interview Process in India
The SMETA audit interview process is where the actual truth often emerges. Auditors randomly select workers from different departments, genders, and shifts. They bring them to a quiet place away from supervisors and ask about their daily work lives.
Common worker questions include:
- How many hours did you work last week?
- Do you get time off if you’re sick?
- Has anyone threatened to deduct your pay?
In many SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories, auditors look for mismatches between what workers report and what’s in the records. If HR states that no one works overtime, but five workers claim they did last month, that’s a problem.
The SMETA audit interview process also reveals whether grievance mechanisms actually work or if they exist just on paper. Workers are asked if they feel comfortable reporting issues and if they’ve ever done so. Auditors don’t need major red flags; small signs that things aren’t being done correctly are enough to signal non-compliance.
SEDEX Audit Observations in Indian Factories
This is where many units fall short. Auditors silently observe everything as they walk through your facility. It’s not just about cleanliness; it’s about safety, dignity, and access.
Common SEDEX audit observations in Indian factories that often raise concerns include:
- Expired or blocked fire extinguishers
- Lack of first aid kits or trained responders
- Inadequate toilet facilities
- No handwashing soap or drinking water
- Pregnant workers doing physically demanding tasks
Auditors then ask these SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories like:
- Who checks fire safety equipment and when?
- When was your last evacuation drill?
- Are workers trained in basic hygiene?
These issues can be easily fixed, but only if you’re actively looking. If you wait until the auditor spots them, it’s already too late. SEDEX audit observations in Indian factories are just as telling as worker interviews. They show whether your team truly follows the policies.
SEDEX SMETA Audit HR Questions That Need Strong Answers
When HR teams feel nervous during audits, it’s often because they rely too much on memory and not enough on proof. Auditors are aware of this and dig deeper.
Here are typical SEDEX SMETA audit HR questions you should expect:
- Can you show contracts for all current workers?
- How do you calculate bonuses and overtime?
- How do you verify workers’ ages during hiring?
- How do you document harassment complaints?
If your HR files aren’t organized, even genuine practices may not hold up. Every claim must have a document, date, and signature to back it. Auditors may also ask your HR team SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories, such as:
- Have you ever had a worker complaint? Show us the resolution process.
- What is your procedure for terminating a worker?
- When was your last policy training?
SEDEX SMETA audit HR questions are not traps; they aim to confirm whether your systems work beyond the policy file.
Common SEDEX 4-Pillar Audit Questions Asked in Indian Units
The 4-pillar SMETA audit covers more than just labor and safety. It also looks into environmental issues and business ethics. This is what top buyers expect.
Here are common SEDEX 4-pillar audit questions asked in Indian units:
Labour
Do you track working hours electronically or manually?
Are rest days managed according to the law?
Health & Safety
- Are PPE kits distributed regularly?
- When was the last internal safety training held?
Environment
- Is your effluent treatment system functional?
- Do you track energy or water consumption?”
Business Ethics
- Have managers been trained on anti-bribery policies?
- Is there a whistleblower system?
Auditors link all of this back to SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories by comparing policy with practice. If a factory states, “We monitor energy monthly,” but has no data or files to prove it, that indicates a gap. These common SEDEX 4-pillar audit questions asked in Indian units are getting more detailed because buyers want more than vague compliance.
How to Answer SEDEX Social Compliance Questions in India the Right Way
This part can’t be faked. How you answer SEDEX social compliance questions in India relies on being honest, clear, and prepared.
Here’s how not to respond:
- We follow all laws (vague)
- We don’t have any issues (unbelievable)
- That’s HR’s job (irresponsible)
Here’s how to do it right:
- Yes, we had a harassment complaint in May. It was resolved within three days, and here’s the documentation.
- Our last wage revision was in March. We’ve shared new payslips and letters with all workers.
SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories aim to test how much your team truly knows and applies. The best way to respond is to train your supervisors, HR, and admin staff on real-world examples, not just policy points. When you’re unsure, acknowledge it and show your improvement plan, rather than pretending to know.
Examples of Real SEDEX Compliance Questions for Indian Suppliers
Want to know what’s being asked? Here are examples of real SEDEX compliance questions for Indian suppliers, based on garment, electronics, and packaging units:
- Can we see records of workers under 18? If none, how do you ensure that?
- Are contract workers paid the same as permanent workers for the same role?
- Do you deduct PF and ESI? Can we verify that with pay slips and bank statements?
- What’s your process if a fire breaks out at 2 AM during the night shift?
Auditors will ask these questions and then compare the answers from managers, HR, and workers. If everyone’s story matches, you’re in good shape.
If not, it indicates a breakdown in processes. Having your team practice answers to these real SEDEX compliance questions for Indian suppliers before the audit day can make a significant difference.
What Indian Factory Managers Are Asked During SEDEX Audits and Why It Matters
Managers often get caught off guard. They assume audits focus on paperwork, not shop floor decisions. However, what Indian factory managers are asked during SEDEX audits can directly influence the outcome.
Common questions include:
- How do you track overtime in your team?
- If a worker faints during work, what’s your first step?
- Do you have female supervisors for female workers?
- Who approves shift rosters, and how are breaks managed?
Auditors will cross-check this information with interviews and documents. If a floor supervisor states, “We give 30-minute breaks,” but workers say it’s only 10 minutes, that will be flagged. SEDEX audit questions for Indian factories aim to uncover whether policies reach the ground level. Managers must be trained not only on output but also on their responsibilities towards people.
Getting Ready for a SEDEX Audit? Let Legal4sure Guide You
SEDEX does not demand perfection; rather, it demands genuine systems that function. Fix anything that isn’t correct. Training your team will speak for itself. Legal4sure assists factories in getting ready from the bottom up, with straightforward training, well-defined strategies, and support that is effective on your factory floor.
To pass, you don’t have to use lengthy language. You need an enthusiastic team, honesty, and clarity. Let’s make sure your plant can pass the SEDEX inspection and confidently answer questions about Indian factories.
