Our whistleblowing system

Compliance with legal requirements and internal rules, the principles of our Code of Conduct as well as the Code of Conduct for Business Partners is a top priority at Volkswagen Immobilien. The success of our company is based on integrity and compliance. In order to live up to this claim, it is important to learn about and prevent possible misconduct by our own employees or those of our suppliers. That is why we have appointed the Central Intelligence Office to operate an independent, impartial and confidential whistleblowing system on our behalf.

An important pillar of our whistleblowing system is the principle of fair trial. It guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, those affected and employees who are involved in clarifying the reported misconduct.

This also includes that we offer possibilities for anonymous reporting and communication. We will not take any measures to identify anonymous whistleblowers who do not abuse our whistleblowing system. Discrimination against whistleblowers and all persons who contribute to investigations at Volkswagen Immobilien will not be tolerated. The presumption of innocence applies to the persons concerned until the violation is proven. Investigations will be conducted with the utmost confidentiality. The information will be processed in a fair, fast and protected procedure.

1. How do we process your tip?

Qualified and experienced employees of the Central Investigation Office thoroughly examine all reports of potential serious breaches of rules by employees of the Volkswagen Group and systematically investigate them. First of all, you receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Subsequently, the Intelligence Office evaluates your report. This includes obtaining information, in particular from the whistleblower. Only if this gives rise to an initial suspicion of a potential serious breach of regulations will a suitable investigation unit be commissioned to investigate the case. Once this has been completed, the Investigation Office will assess the findings and, if misconduct is found, make an appropriate sanction recommendation. Information on the processing status* of your tip and the outcome of a possible investigation will be communicated to you without delay.

Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, including serious risks and human rights and environmental violations by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Central Intelligence Office. This also applies to other reports that require immediate action by the company. The Clarification Office informs the responsible offices, which process the facts accordingly. This includes, in particular, measures required to minimise or end 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 notice.

2. Do you have a concern or feedback regarding a Volkswagen Immobilien product or service?

Please contact your personal customer advisor if you have any questions about your tenancy, your property or any other concern, feedback or complaint about services provided by Volkswagen Immobilien or our business partners.

We ask for your understanding that the whistleblower system unfortunately cannot accept, process and, in particular, forward customer concerns.

3. Submit a report to our whistleblower system

The whistleblower system provides several channels to report potential employee misconduct or Code of Conduct violations for business partners in our supply chain, allowing for a quick review and – if necessary – a response from our company.

However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact the designated authority described below (see 5.).

24/7 Hotline

You can make reports around the clock by calling the following international toll-free number: +800 444 46300*.

If your local telephone provider does not support the toll-free service, you can also use the following toll-free telephone number to submit a report: +49 5361 946300.

*In some countries, not all telephone providers support the free international hotline. In this case, please use the chargeable telephone number or the country-specific telephone number.

Online reporting channel

You have the possibility to contact the Enlightenment Office via an internet-based communication platform BKMS in different languages. The system is confidential and protected.

If your preferred language is not listed, a report can also be made in any other language. You can also contact the Enlightenment Office in any language by e-mail or post.

Ombudsmen

Two external lawyers (ombudsmen) are available to advise on the whistleblower system or to ensure that reports from whistleblowers – anonymously if desired – are forwarded to the Clarification Office. “If you would like to contact the ombudsmen, you can find all the necessary information at the following link: http://www.ombudsmen-of-volkswagen.com/

E-mail

You can reach the Volkswagen Immobilien Ombudsman’s Office by e-mail at Adresse: io@volkswagen.de.

Central Enlightenment Office

Postal address:

Central Reconnaissance Office
PO Box 1717
38436 Wolfsburg, Germany

Please arrange appointments in advance via io@volkswagen.de.

4. Do you have further questions or need a local contact person?

You can also address questions or suggestions for improvement regarding the whistleblower system to the responsible Enlightenment Office. In addition, you are welcome to contact our Compliance Officer by e-mail at compliance@vwimmobilien.de for all matters relating to the whistleblower system.

If you have been interviewed in terms of an investigation, you have the possibility to give feedback to the Ombudsperson as independent body.

5. External reporting channel for Germany

The following authority appointed by the German government also accepts tips on potential misconduct as an external reporting channel: BfJ – Hinweisgeberstelle (bundesjustizamt.de).