Hi all,
In the last few months, I've been asked to sign off work that an auditor would ask uncomfortable questions about. I've started refusing as I don't want to be fucked under the bus when an audit happens and my theory is that if the manager is happy, they can sign it and answer questions.
Since I've started doing this, there's been issues with my handwriting all of a sudden, saying its illegible. I've shown this to other people who said there is no issue with legibility. I'm wondering is it possible to have a confidential discussion with HR? as I'm not being treated unfairly because I value my reputation
Thanks ☺️
Do not go to HR, they're there to protect your employer, not you. With regards to an audit, there's no consequences unless you're a very high up on the QA food chain or QP. Even if you're on the FDA debarment list, it has no impact on you, not like a future employer is going to check it anyway. Just do your work to the best of your ability and don't rock the boat. And don't be thin skinned about your "reputation" if you're a hard worker word will get around and if your manager is a dick head, trust me, we know.
I would tend to agree HR will Protect the company not you
Find a different job.
HR is not your friend so I would think carefully. From my experience of HR departments, when it comes down to it, their loyalty is to the company, and not safeguarding of the employees.
Edit: Id raise it with someone in QA first.
I’d go to QA like others have said. You don’t need to mention about being pushed to sign anything until you get their reaction if you don’t want to.
Either go to them the next time you’re asked to sign something that’s not correct and check what they think of it without mentioning that you’re being pressured to. Or go to them with a previous record where this happened and tell them you were looking over recent records and you have a question about whatever it is you have the issue with.
I have never got in trouble for talking to QA and asking questions. I was given out to by my own manager and told half jokingly to stop finding problems alright.
But all that happened after I did it a few times was the quality team got to know me and if I came to them with a question, they knew I was leading up to what was more than likely a problem. They returned the favour by coming to me now and again with technical questions related to my field.
Put the ball in QAs court, they make the decision and they can explain it to you. After chatting to them, if it was in person, summarise their explanation and send it to whoever you were talking to, asking them to confirm what you have wrote is what they meant. You then have written evidence that you did the right thing, questioned something, got an answer from QA and an explanation. Then drive on with your work following QAs decision.
If you feel after talking to them that they made the wrong decision don’t be afraid to ask them a few more questions, or ask them to explain the reasoning a bit more or in a different way.
I have. The line was literally "As long as nobody rats, we're golden". I ratted. Didn't go down well at all, for me. Manager got away scott free.
I get you but I’m not suggesting OP rat on anyone, I’m not telling them walk in and say John told me sign off on this even though I don’t think it’s right.
I’m saying ask an innocent question that they’re looking for another perspective on this one thing just to be sure they are doing the right thing.
You must have been working with a right bunch of assholes in that situation though, hope you got out of it and are somewhere better now.
Does your job have a whistleblowing line? I'd be tempted to go that route
Unfortunately we don't but that's the first route I'd go. Can I have an unrecorded conversation with a member OF HR?
I'm unsure, I will say HRs job is more about protecting the business than protecting you, so I'd be wary. Also the problem with unrecorded is well, there's no documentation, which means it can be ignored or twisted anyway, the best thing you can have in this kind of situation is a paper trail.
Beyond that I'm unsure of the best approach without a whistleblowing lime, my apologies
This is Ireland HR will more than likely assist you. Either to correct the issue or out the door. 1. Document everything hard copy with times dates, and witnesses. 2. Research whistle blowers. 3. If it's questionable information that you are signing off on that could lead to fraud or loss of life get as many of the senior staff aware that you are not comfortable and therefore has to be a solution to fix this fast. 4. If it's only from your direct supervisor that is looking for signature then definitely get HR involved and top cover from up the corporate ladder explain that you were mislead and want to get it back under control before it has the ability to harm the company and your reputation.
Best of luck with it.
With large companies, they tend to compliance or integrity emails/hotlines. These are usually shared in yearly trainings. If this applies for you, this can be an alternative going to your HR, as the teams covering the hotmails tend to cover the company in a more global sense and may take a grim view of any local managers hiding anything dodgy.
I’d say stand your ground.
If they’re now saying your handwriting is illegible, write in block capitals which will take longer, and if they give out that things are taking longer you can just say “I’m making sure my handwriting is legible enough since it was an issue”
Them saying your handwriting is illegible is them trying to piss you off and give in to what they want.
Would you go to QA and say that you've been asked to sign off questionable shit and now you feel you're being punished
No. I’d still refuse to sign off the questionable stuff.
Saying your handwriting is illegible isn’t enough for you to say you’re being punished but if you “overcome” that by “improving” your handwriting and they start on you for something else, you can build a case that you are being picked on.
If you’re close to someone in QA, the only thing you could do is be cheeky and ask them their opinion on the questionable stuff. That way you have flagged the questionable stuff to the correct department without “trying” to get someone in trouble
I hope you don't mind.. I private messaged you
No problem, go ahead!
Doesn't matter if you're not entirely accountable, you should always maintain an impeccable reputation - that's what matters.
The Irish pharma industry is pretty small and it's very easy to gain a bad reputation
Also agree with other comments, HR are not your friend!