Mystery Social Audits

MYSTERY SOCIAL AUDITS AND MYSTERY CSR AUDITS TO VERIFY SOCIAL STANDARDS

Mystery social audits are undercover surveys in which a tester (mystery auditor) physically evaluates defined facts on site. Mystery social audits are used in particular to collect information on the extent to which agreed social standards are complied with.

These are often specifications regarding:

• Remuneration
• Fringe benefits
• Working conditions
• Hygiene
• Occupational safety
• etc.

Synonymously used terms are mystery CSR audits, social checks, mystery checking, mystery audit, covert audits, or anonymous audits.

Mystery social audits are sometimes used in combination with open or partially covert audits, in which the tester first covertly evaluates certain criteria before revealing himself as the auditor and then openly ascertains further criteria.

Typical criteria reviewed include:

• Signage
• Cleanliness
• Order
• Safety
• Hygiene
• Workplace conditions (light, air, protection, ...)

Mystery CSR audits are used in many branches of service, trade and industry. Industrial companies, associations, brands, franchisors, and companies in many other sectors use them to audit suppliers or subcontractors, for example.