Uber's CEO may take leave of absence in wake of sexual harassment probe

The chief executive of Uber could be forced to take a leave of absence after the taxi-hailing app said it would adopt recommendations from a report instigated by sexual harassment claims.

Co-founder Travis Kalanick may go on temporary leave or cede his position as chief executive while Uber makes changes to its management practices, according to various media reports.

Uber’s board unanimously voted to adopt all the recommendations of a review into the company’s policies and corporate culture by former US Attorney General, Eric Holder.

The company has not confirmed what the recommendations are but they will be released to employees today.

One of Holder’s proposals was that Emil Michael, Uber’s senior vice-president of business and a close confidant of Kalanick, should leave the company, the New York Times reported.

The review came after former Uber engineer Susan Fowler made claims of sexual harassment against her manager.

Uber has fired more than 20 people last week after separate probe into issues including 215 complaints of sexual harassment and bullying.

Michael’s departure would mark the latest in a series of high-profile resignations at Uber.

Uber’s finance chief, Gautam Gupta, last week announced he was stepping down. New York general manager, Josh Mohrer, and the head of Uber’s self-driving unit, have also resigned.

Kalanick came under fire earlier this year after being caught on video berating an Uber driver. He later apologised, saying “I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up.”

Kalanick has taken time off in the past two weeks after his mother died and his father was injured in a boating accident.

Uber is valued at almost US$70bn but is yet to make a profit. 

Story by ProactiveInvestors