Volkswagen Group Internal Audit and Group Security regularly and systematically monitor compliance with the rules, carrying out random checks regardless of any suspicion of non-compliance and investigating every time breaches are literally suspected. The worldwide ombudsman system in place since 2006, can be utilized to report any breaches or suspicions in 9 different languages to 2 external legal professionals appointed by the Group. Prevention takes place by means of information and coaching. In 2013, over 200.000 staff throughout the Group took part in classroom and on-line courses on the matters of compliance in general, but also the Code of Conduct, human rights and combatting corruption. Online E-Learning programs and classroom training are firmly anchored in present corporate processes. At Volkswagen, the completion of the net training module on the Code of Conduct is obligatory for all new workers. Since 2013, the Volkswagen Group’s E-Learning software has additionally been available to suppliers to lift consciousness among an unlimited variety of staff. In 2014 the compliance agenda targeted on the persevering with expansion of the GRC organization, tightening compliance requirements for the sales group, international cash-laundering prevention, and the dealing with of contracts for work or companies.
In addition, based on the “Volkswagen Group necessities relating to sustainability in its relationships with business partners” (Code of Conduct for Business Partners), provider awareness of topics including human rights was elevated. Business partners of the Volkswagen Group are topic to a Business Partner Check, a danger-oriented assessment of their integrity, also primarily based on the “Volkswagen Group requirements regarding sustainability in its relationships with enterprise partners” (Code of Conduct for Business Partners). By the use of applicable preventive measures integrated in our existing administration system, we foster compliance with the rules inside our group and sharpen our employees’ awareness. However, we're additionally conscious that the chance of individual misconduct can by no means be fully eliminated. To lift employee awareness of compliance-associated issues we use each traditional communication channels reminiscent of employee magazines and data stands, and electronic media reminiscent of intranet portals, apps, blogs, audio-podcasts and on-line newsletters and tips. For example, our Anti-Corruption Guidelines are available to all staff, enterprise partners and members of our governance our bodies on the Volkswagen portal as nicely because the Internet. Across all regions, 5,728 managers participated in classroom training and E-Learning applications on the subject of anti-corruption.
On the subject of human rights, greater than 6,000 staff worldwide obtained in 128 hours of coaching distributed across 329 classroom coaching programs. In addition, workers can study more about this subject utilizing our online E-Learning applications. On United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day, many Volkswagen areas held a wide range of multi-channel actions associated to corruption prevention. A movie was additionally made for the occasion and proven internationally. In 2014 over 185,000 employees across the Group took part in 4,444 classroom and on-line programs on the subjects of compliance basically, money laundering, the Code of Conduct, competition and antitrust legislation, human rights and combatting corruption. Online E-Learning applications and classroom training are firmly anchored in existing corporate processes. Employees of all model firms and a lot of Group companies are in a position to obtain personal advice about compliance issues, often by contacting the compliance group via a dedicated e-mail handle. In the fall of 2014, a letter particularly addressed to all staff of Group Security and Plant Security at Volkswagen AG as soon as once more referred to as attention to the Group Code of Conduct, together with its human rights requirements.
What's the company’s approach to the engagement of stakeholders (together with workers, and native communities impacted by the company’s activities), on human rights issues? In cooperation with the Institute for Market, Environment and Society (imug) Volkswagen established a stakeholder panel, which has now been running for over 17 years. It follows the companies’ activities, especially our environmental and sustainability reporting activities, and produces a essential commentary yearly. To this end, imug holds detailed interviews with a complete of 33 representatives of different stakeholder teams. This evaluation helps to critically scrutinize and enhance the reporting on sustainability and human rights, and likewise provides information about weaknesses in our Group-wide sustainability coordination. The brands Audi, MAN Volkswagen and Porsche have carried out their very own - mostly very intensive - online surveys of their stakeholders, as have Volkswagen do Brasil and Volkswagen Financial companies. Moreover, in 2013 all firms in the Volkswagen Group took part within the “Stimmungsbarometer” - an opinion survey for staff of the Volkswagen Group.
