I would be so embarrassed to be on either side of that conversation. I'm almost embarrassed even to hear that here. I've seen enough to not be shocked by that but it still is quite a shame...
I can't relate just how bad it has become. I have told a few stories here. I might have told this one:
A few years ago I was assigned to a county district office. Not long into it the managers sat me down for a meeting. I was informed that I was not allowed to write corrections if another inspector had approved the work. If I was there to inspect for corrections, I was only allowed to verify that the corrections were completed and I was not allowed to write new corrections. As I was exiting the meeting an assistant office manager told me that I don’t need to write every correction that I see.
That day I was given a final inspection on a house. I had not been there previously. This was the third attempt at a final and there was a correction related to a stairway. As I walked up to the house, the contractor was installing the service panel dead front. I noticed that of the forty or more circuit breakers, none were AFCI.
I introduced myself and apologized that I wouldn’t be able to sign his job card. He was startled. He said that he had done the correction and if he failed today, liquidated damages would kick in. I told him that I am not allowed to write corrections so I can’t help him. He asked me to do the inspection. I made it clear that I would break the rules ... write corrections and tear him up or I could leave a note that says “Sorry I missed you. Schedule a followup inspection” He didn’t want either choice so I left.
The next day I met the inspector that had been with that project from the beginning. He asked me if it passed final. I told him that I couldn’t help them because there were no AFCI breakers. He said, “AFI??? I’ve heard of those. What are they?”
That inspector is now an assistant office manager. And by the way, he’s one of the smarter ones.