What happens in an ESI inspection?

Who comes, and what they do

An officer from ESIC may visit your business. The officer looks at your records and may ask you and your staff questions. The aim is to see that all staff who must be covered are registered and the right ESI was paid on time.

Why you may get a visit

A visit can happen for many reasons. For example, a complaint from a current or former employee, or monthly filings that are missing or look wrong.

What the officer usually asks for

Officers usually ask for records like these. Each officer may ask for different papers, so keep all your ESI papers ready.

• The list of your employees with their IP numbers (the employee's ESI number)
• Wage records
• Records of your ESI payments, and ESI payment slips (challans)
• Any other records the officer asks for

Use contractors? Keep records of the staff they send, and proof that you paid the contractor.

If something is wrong

If the officer finds ESI that was not paid, or was paid too little, you may have to pay it, with interest and damages (an extra charge, like a fine). Read what paying ESI late costs, or try our free ESI penalty calculator.

If you get a letter from ESIC, reply by the date it gives. Don't ignore it.

A checklist to be ready

• Keep your employee list, wage records and ESI payment records neat, on paper and on your computer.
• Each month, check that the ESI you paid matches that month's salaries.
• Add each new employee to ESI from the day they join, if the rules cover them, and keep their IP number.
• Count your staff now and then. Reached 10? Read ESI: who must register.
• Check each month's ESI with our free ESI contribution calculator.