Uber employee petition asks for CEO’s return

Uber employees have launched a petition urging the company’s board to keep Travis Kalanick on as CEO two days after he was forced to resign, Recode reported Thursday.

According to Recode, an email being sent around the company asks employees to fill out an online form calling for Kalanick’s return. 

“Nobody is perfect, but I fundamentally believe he can evolve into the leader Uber needs today and that he’s critical to its future success,” the email says. “I want the Board to hear from Uber employees that it’s made the wrong decision in pressuring Travis to leave and that he should be reinstated in an operational role.”

{mosads}Kalanick was forced to step down on Tuesday by top investors in the company. Uber has suffered a series of controversies in recent months, including allegations that the company ignored widespread sexual harassment.

Uber is also under investigation for allegedly using software to evade law enforcement and regulators.

In a statement sent to Uber employees on Wednesday, the company’s executive leadership cast the decision to remove Kalanick as difficult, but one that would ultimately help the company.

“As you’d expect, the emotions around Travis’ decision are intense,” the statement reads. “We understand that, and we want all of you to know that he did not make this decision lightly. Stepping back now was his way of putting Uber first, as he always has.

— Harper Neidig contributed.