When a company has a mature food safety culture, each of its workers has the knowledge, skill, and empowerment to ensure they are fulfilling their specific role in assuring food safety. But this does not mean that there are never errors, slip-ups, or near misses.
Coaching vs Retraining in Food Safety Culture
And when that occurs, a manager’s first inclination may be to retrain the worker. However, as discussed in a recent MeatingPlace article, that is not always the right response, as retraining assumes the person doesn’t know how to, or can’t, correctly perform the task, which isn’t always the case. Rather, when a person knows how to perform the task but does not do it correctly, the focus should be on coaching on the why, centered on both discussion on why it was not performed correctly and coaching on why the task is critical to food safety.
Thus, coaching, which aims to enhance performance and confidence through interactive discussion, focuses on the behaviors and dedication needed for the food safety culture commitment.
Understanding Employee Behavior in Food Safety Culture
Having a mature food safety culture means that all workers recognize the impact their individual actions have on consumer health, and, thus, take the responsibility to follow food safety protocols consistently – not just when being watched or when it fits their mood. It also means that there is not only a visible commitment by all, but also that open communication is encouraged and practiced, and workers feel empowered to discuss issues with their managers.
Addressing Food Safety Mistakes Through Coaching, Not Retraining
Perhaps an error occurred because the person was in a hurry. While this could be as simple as the person needing to head home early, it also could be because they felt overworked and unable to complete all tasks in the allocated time. In either case, getting the person to explain that “why” is the first step, from which it can be determined if it was a one-time/temporary thing or if another solution needs to be found. Either way, simply putting the person into a retraining session is unlikely to do anything except potentially cause further angst.
Perhaps the person is frustrated with the way things are being done and feels there are better ways, so they don’t have the motivation to do the task. Again, discussing the situation with the person to learn why they are frustrated and explain why things are done as they are may help relieve their frustration – or they may even provide thoughts on better ways to do the task.
When Food Safety Training Is Required and When Coaching Is More Effective
Coaching can be thought of as an approach that enhances worker performance, self-confidence, and well-being by focusing on constructive feedback and a supportive environment. It means reinforcing positive behavior and understanding negative behavior to help determine a workable solution.
This does not mean that retraining is never the answer. In fact, you may learn that the person did not, in fact, know or had forgotten the correct way. In such a case, retraining is needed, but you can focus the training on exactly their needs. Additionally, FSMA requires initial food safety and hygiene training, along with periodic retraining, to ensure food-handling personnel are qualified to perform their duties. Retraining is also required if employees do not meet standards or the food safety plan has been updated; and industry best practice is for at least annual training, with many companies holding regular pre-shift food safety sessions.
Strengthening Your Food Safety Culture with Coaching and Training Programs
So, while training and coaching are both essential aspects of a strong, mature food safety culture, they have different purposes and approaches to elicit the desired outcome.
TAG has developed an exclusive food safety culture maturity model by which to rate and improve a company’s culture of food safety, and can assist in your coaching efforts toward personnel commitment. We also have a wide range of training programs – both online and custom – developed and led by TAG’s experienced team of instructors. Give TAG a call to enhance your food safety efforts!
Summary: Building a mature food safety culture requires more than training; it requires coaching that focuses on understanding employee behavior and reinforcing why food safety matters. By emphasizing communication, accountability, and continuous improvement, organizations can create a food safety culture where safe practices are consistently followed.
