Volkswagen set to make deadline for emissions whistleblowers to come forward

German automaker Volkswagen is set to announce on Thursday a deadline for internal whistleblowers who have information about the diesel emissions scandal to come forward without fear of reprisal.

German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported Wednesday that the company is trying to increase pressure on its employees to help VW get to the bottom of the scandal that has engulfed the company and its many brands.

The newspaper did not provide details of what the automaker proposes to do with an employee who comes forward with information about the emissions rigging after the deadline, which will reportedly be at the end of this month.

VW has hired advisory firm Deloitte and U.S. law firm Jones Day to investigate the circumstances surrounding the installation of software into diesel cars that changed engine settings to reduce emissions whenever the vehicle was put through tests.

The paper said the initial results of the amnesty program were encouraging, as some useful information has come to light. The revelation earlier this month that the company's cars, including some gasoline-powered ones, were emitting more carbon dioxide than previously thought reportedly came from information from an employee who came forward under the whistleblower program.

VW is promising staff they will keep their jobs and will be exempt from damage claims if they shed light on the scandal, but board members and levels of management directly below them are to be excluded from the scheme.

The automaker was not immediately available for comment.