Melodramatic twists and turns at Uber have sent the biggest shockwave yet through the ride-hailing app after under fire chief executive Travis Kalanick agreed to take indefinite leave following publication of a damning report into Uber's workplace culture.
Meanwhile, a statement was included in Uber's note announcing new policies that are meant to help it fight sexual harassment and change a corporate culture that has been blamed for allowing workplace misconduct to flourish. As NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports, this is just the beginning of a long effort to rebuild Uber's reputation. Several employees have said that Kalanick pushed back the catered dinner hour at Uber to encourage employees to work later. He's become a controversial lightning rod for the company he co-founded and built.
In March, a video showing him arguing with an Uber driver who asked him why the company's rates had dropped went viral. It also highlights the need for Uber to name a COO who could take on some of Kalanick's "day to day" work.
That spurred outrage in the tech world as the incident came hard on the heels of the completion of a law firm's investigation, led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Tammy Albarran, over allegations of a hostile work environment at Uber, including allegations of unchecked sexual harassment and gender bias.
The recommendations "definitely paint a picture of a company that was out of control and pretty chaotic", said Ames, the Borg Institute executive. You can't have a culture that is so offensive to people. She welcomes the changes, increasing oversight of managers and hiring initiatives aimed at attracting more women and minorities. Kalanick was not at the meeting, a source familiar with the matter said. "I've gotten nothing but aggressive hostility from them".
Kalanick did not offer a date for his return. He describes his grief over his mother's death but also references a need for personal change.
The report, recommendations of which were adopted by the board, said Uber "should reformulate its written cultural values" to "reflect more inclusive and positive behaviors". I will be available as needed for the most strategic decisions, but I will be empowering them to be bold and decisive in order to move the company forward swiftly.
Scalise 'May Have Brought Some Unity' To US Through 'Great Sacrifice'
Leaders decided the game will go on as scheduled at Nationals Park in Washington, home of the city's professional baseball team. Scalise and the others had been at the GOP team's baseball practice in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, when they were shot.
George Boue is an ethics expert for the Society for Human Resource Management.
Bonderman then interjected: "Actually, what it shows is that it's much likely to be more talking".
Uber holds its catered dinner for employees at 8:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
GEORGE BOUE: Because human resources is always the part of the organization that has the moral compass and is best positioned to address situations quickly. Last week, the company fired 20 people, including some managers, at the recommendation of Perkins Coie, which separately investigated 215 employee complaints.
Kalanick also emphasised on the fact that, going further, Uber 2.0 success largely depends on the management team.
"If we are going to work on Uber 2.0, I also need to work on Travis 2.0 to become the leader that this company needs".
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