The automaker had 25 different compliance systems in place throughout their organization. They will are converted into one single universal system. The company's head of Anti-Corruption, Kurt Michels, remarked on the matter.
“Now we have an internal whistleblower system, where you can talk to your colleagues in the compliance department, so you don’t have to call outsiders. You can still call the lawyers nevertheless, you can issue topics anonymously. We try to open every channel available.”
When initially hired, Michels was surprised by how unwilling employees were to speak out about problems of this nature. He was also surprised by how little coordination between brands there was. He compared it to everyone living in a communal house, while only caring about how clean their own room was. A mindset he wants to change.
Volkswagen also announced their intention to fire Oliver Schmidt, the executive responsible for the previous emissions scandal. He will also serve 7 years in prison, as well as pay $400,000 in fines. Schmidt requested to serve his time in Germany instead of the US, though it hasn't been confirmed whether that was granted or not.
