Uber boss may be forced out after probe into sex scandals

THE fate of Uber’s boss is on a knife edge as the embattled firm deals with the fallout from a string of sexual harassment claims.

Chief executive Travis Kalanick, 40, could be forced to take a ‘leave of absence’ although no final decision has been made, according to reports.

It came as Uber’s senior vice president Emil Michael resigned from his post yesterday. His departure comes in the wake of recommendations by US attorney general Eric Holder, who held a lengthy investigation into cultures and practices at the taxi-hailing company.

Mr Michael was reportedly among executives that visited a karaoke-escort bar in South Korea, which drew a complaint from a female colleague. He is also said to have talked about hiring a team of researchers to dig up dirt on journalists investigating the company at a public dinner in 2014. The probe was launched after software engineer Susan Fowler revealed that her manager had propositioned her for sex on her first day in the job but Uber had refused to punish him when she reported him.

The shake-up comes as Eric Alexander, head of the firm’s Asia-Pacific business, was sacked last week over claims he obtained the records of a woman who was assaulted in one of its taxis.

Uber also revealed it had fired 20 other staff after a separate probe into 215 complaints including sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying.

Mr Kalanick has admitted his management style is below par, saying he needed to ‘fundamentally change and grow up’ earlier this year.

‘Take a leave of absence’