Volkswagen is discontinuing its operation within the specified department.
Fight Continues for Two VW Managers After Bullying Lawsuit Dismissal
It's a setback for two VW managers as their bullying lawsuit against the company has been dismissed. But they're not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
At stake is a compensation of around eight million euros.
Bullying at VW: A Big SCandal?
These two VW managers are part of a small team set up by Volkswagen post-diesel scandal. Their job was to uncover and report misconduct. They did just that, according to the "Braunschweigische Zeitung". Among their findings were carcinogenic substances in two VW models and incomplete data sheets. They reported these discrepancies internally, their lawyer stated at the Labour Court in Braunschweig on the 24th of June.
However, instead of being regarded as whistleblowers by VW and treated with seriousness, they’ve faced reprisals. Promotions have allegedly been denied, and their department was put on ice by VW, despite the company claiming that this had been planned for a while.
The Whistleblower Row
The VW lawyer argued in court that the plaintiffs should have used the general whistleblower system and the so-called clarification office of Volkswagen. A legal scholar, brought in by the plaintiffs, disagreed, “It can't be said there's only one system. Otherwise, it would be a reporting trap,” he was quoted as saying in the "Braunschweigische Zeitung".
Keep On Fighting
The court ruled in favour of VW – effectively dismissing the lawsuit. The managers, who used the internal reporting channels before the Whistleblower Protection Act came into force, have no legal claim, as per the ruling. Their lawyer expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the court had "made it too easy" for itself.
The managers are determined to keep fighting and are planning to appeal to the Higher Labour Court in Hannover.
More updates on VW's response to the ruling, the department's closure, and the technical actions taken regarding the reported defects can be found in the "Braunschweigische Zeitung".
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Remember, after a dismissal, further appeal processes, settlement negotiations, or additional legal actions may still arise, as in many employment and bullying cases. Additionally, companies often take measures to prevent future incidents, such as reviewing harassment policies, conducting training sessions, and establishing clearer reporting mechanisms once a bullying lawsuit surfaces[2][5].
Finance and business interests are at play as the two VW managers, part of a team set up post-diesel scandal, plan to appeal against the court's ruling that dismissed their bullyng lawsuit. The stakes involve a potential compensation of around eight million euros, a significant figure in sports or business terms.
