Employees

At the end of 2006 the Volkswagen Group employed a global workforce of just under 325,000 employees. It is to their qualifications and personal commitment that we owe our success. In order to maintain our position against the international competition, we need an elite team marked by a high degree of expertise, commitment, creativity and physical fitness.

Criteria for an elite team

We see it as a major part of our responsibility to foster the motivation and long-term employability of our employees. Lifelong learning, job security, equal opportunities and comprehensive health management are all key aspects of our commitment to our employees. Special performance deserves special rewards. One example is the internal Environmental Award for Volkswagen employees, which in the past has been presented every two years. From 2008, the accolade is to be awarded annually. The objective is to honour employees who take the initiative in making an above-average contribution to environmental protection at their place of work.

We are determined to prevent the loss of essential skills when long-standing employees retire. To this end, we have established a comprehensive Knowledge Management System. The system ensures that knowledge is transferred between older and younger employees.

For us, each employee is an equal partner whose opinions and ideas are highly valued. In the next few years, we plan to introduce a “Mood Barometer” of the type which has been successfully implemented by AUDI AG on two occasions, throughout the Group. This diagnostic tool is designed to identify the need for action within the Group faster. It will also offer employees greater possibilities of seeing their suggestions implemented within the Group. One tool for promoting and exploiting good ideas which has been in place for some time is the Volkswagen Group Idea Management Scheme. In 2006, suggestions made by employees at Volkswagen’s six German plants led to savings of about € 168 million.