Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules, and the principles laid down in our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, has top priority at the Volkswagen Group. The success of our company is based on Integrity and Compliance. To meet these standards, it is important to learn of potential employee or supplier misconduct and to put a stop to it. That is why the Central Investigation Office operates an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblowing system for us.
A key pillar of our Whistleblower System is the principle of procedural fairness. It also guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct. You can find more information here.
In our opinion, it is not enough to base correct behavior solely on rules and guidelines, but it takes attitude to do the right thing, even if no one is looking. Integrity is an attitude that represents an inner compass for correct action in grey areas, in the absence of explicit rules or in the event of conflicting goals.
For us, living integrity as an example means doing the right thing in a professional context on the basis of our own convictions. This means complying with our Group Essentials and the ethical principles established therein and behaving correctly in accordance with rules. This also includes the steadfastness needed to adhere to these principles – regardless of economic and social pressure.
