According to a report on Recode, Uber employees are circulating a petition asking the board to allow Travis Kalanick to stay at the company. Recode says an email was sent to them, validating the story.
Kalanick recently resigned from Uber due to pressure from five major shareholders; with that, employees have both publicly and internally expressed their discontent with the board as well as the media for painting Kalanick in an ill manner.
“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 reads. “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.”
Margaret-Ann Seger, a product manager at Uber, wrote in a Facebook post: “I’m angry, sad, flustered, confused, but mostly just heartbroken.”
Just as Kalanick officially stepped down from his role, Uber’s management team sent out a staff email that read:
“First, as you’d expect, the emotions around Travis’ decision are intense. 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. Travis gave more to this company than anyone. He had a deep and meaningful impact on countless numbers of people at Uber and around the world, and for that, we will forever be grateful.”
Also, a link to an internal Uber site has been passed round, asking employees to show their support for Kalanick: “My ask is simple: one click (and an optional note) to express your support for Travis’ return. The form is totally anonymous. I will deliver the results to the Board.”
