“Giftliste” unsettles VW workforce

VW management did not provide a clear statement

After the works council had called for an end to the “witch hunt” at Volkswagen AG, VW management only provided a vague response. A VW spokesperson stated that VW “clearly rejects any form of discrimination.”

Internal investigation continues

Meanwhile, the internal investigation into the “gift list” affair at VW is ongoing. According to information from management, 236 employees have been connected with the list. The list was made available to the works council last week, which is why the issue has only now become public.

It was also announced that so far, five employees had been suspended from work and 70 managers had been assigned to other departments. However, the company did not want to confirm this information and merely confirmed that “first measures” had been initiated.

Overall, 101 employees on the list received “inappropriate gifts.” 50 employees received watches, and 17 of them even several watches. 41 employees received perfume, 6 employees were given electronic devices, and one employee received a stroller.

The works council had criticized the “perverse bonus culture” within the company. The management team had failed to act against the “misconduct” of some employees, even though there had been “sufficient evidence” of misconduct.

In recent weeks, there have been repeated media reports about bonus and target agreements that had led to excessive and inappropriate rewards. In some cases, employees are said to have received bonuses of several hundred thousand euros.

VW has suspended several managers in connection with these allegations. The company has announced that it wants to deal with the allegations “with the necessary seriousness.”