Our Whistleblower System
Compliance with legal regulations, internal rules, the principles of our Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Business Partners has top priority at Autostadt. The success of our company is based on integrity and compliance. In order to live up to this aspiration, it is important for us to find out about potential misconduct on the part of our own employees or those of our suppliers and to prevent it. For this reason, we have commissioned the Volkswagen Group Central Investigation Office to operate an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblower system for us.
One important pillar of our whistleblowing system is the principle of fair procedure. This guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, those concerned and other employees who are involved in clarifying the reported misconduct. It also includes offering opportunities for anonymous reporting and communication. We promise not to take any measures to identify anonymous whistleblowers who do not misuse our whistleblower system. Discrimination against whistleblowers or any other persons involved in investigations at Autostadt will not be tolerated. The presumption of innocence applies to all individuals concerned until a violation is proven. Investigations are carried out with the utmost confidentiality. The information is handled in a fair, fast and secure process.
HOW ARE WHISTLEBLOWER REPORTS HANDLED?
Qualified and experienced employees of the Central Investigation Office carry out a thorough check on all whistleblower reports for potential serious rule violations and systematically investigate them. You will first be issued an acknowledgement of receipt. The Investigation Office then assesses your report. This includes procuring information, in particular from the whistleblower. Only if this leads to an initial suspicion of a potential serious violation of the rules will a suitable investigative unit be commissioned to investigate the case. Once this investigation has been completed, the Investigation Office evaluates the outcome and, if it detects any misconduct, it recommends appropriate sanctions. Information about the processing status* of your report and the outcome of any investigation will be provided to you without delay. Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners can also be reported to the Central Investigation Office, including serious risks and violations of human rights and the environment by direct and indirect suppliers. This also applies to other reports that require immediate action by the company. The Investigation Office informs the responsible departments, which then process the matter accordingly. This includes in particular measures required to minimise or terminate violations and/or risks.
Find more information on the procedural principles of the Volkswagen Group Complaints Procedure here.
* The processing time may vary and depends, among other things, on the subject of the whistleblower report.
DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR FEEDBACK CONCERNING AN AUTOSTADT PRODUCT OR SERVICE?
If you have any questions about your new or used vehicle, please contact:
E-mail: kundenbetreuung@volkswagen.de
Telephone: +800 865 579 2436
Or directly via your contractual partner.
In the event of feedback or complaints regarding services provided by Autostadt:
E-mail: feedback@autostadt.de
Telephone: +49 5361 401647
Please appreciate that the whistleblower system is unfortunately not able to accept, process or, in particular, forward any customer concerns.
SUBMITTING A REPORT TO OUR WHISTLEBLOWER SYSTEM
The whistleblower system provides various channels through which to report potential employee misconduct or violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners in our supply chain, where a rapid assessment is required and potentially also a response on the part of our company.
– 24/7 HOTLINE
Reports can be submitted 24/7 via the following international toll-free telephone number:
+800 444 46300
If your local telephone provider does not support the free service, you can also use the following telephone number, which is subject to a fee, to provide information:
+49 5361 946300
– ONLINE CHANNEL
You have the option of contacting the Investigation Office in different languages via an online communication platform. The system is confidential and protected. If your preferred language is not listed, you can make a report in one of the other languages listed. You may also contact the Investigation Office in any language by e-mail or post.
– VOLKSWAGEN AG OMBUDSPERSONS
The Group has appointed external lawyers (ombudspersons) who advise on the whistleblower system and ensure that whistleblower reports are forwarded to the Investigation Office – anonymously if desired. If you would like to contact the ombudspersons, you will find all the necessary information at the following link:
Ombudspersons in the Volkswagen Group
– E-MAIL
You can reach the Investigation Office by e-mail at the following address: io@volkswagen.de
– POSTAL ADDRESS/SUBMISSION OF A REPORT IN PERSON Postal address: Central Investigation Office Postfach 1717 38436 Wolfsburg Germany In person: Please arrange an appointment in advance by contacting: io@volkswagen.de
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR NEED A LOCAL CONTACT?
If you have any questions or suggestions for improvements regarding the whistleblower system, you can also contact the responsible Investigation Office. You are also welcome to contact compliance@autostadt.de in connection with all matters relating to the whistleblower system.