Levi's Jennifer Sey quits due to pressure over her views on COVID school closings

Jennifer Sey was a rising star in Levi Strauss. Former gymnast, Sey labored her method as much as the highest at Levi Strauss for many years.

She was even thought of for the function of CEO. COVID-19 was the consequence. She wrote in a weblog that she left the attire producer after being pressured by it to cease speaking about her opposition to highschool closings as a result of pandemic.

Sey said that she declined $1 million in severance on account of worry it might include non-disclosure agreements that may stop her from discussing the explanations for her departure.

"The cash would have been very good. She stated Monday that she could not make it.

Levi's confirmed Sey's resignation in an e-mail to CBS MoneyWatch. Whereas the corporate searches for a substitute for Sey, Chief Business Officer Seth Ellison will assume the function of brand name president interim. Sey's feedback and allegations weren't addressed by Levi's.

This resignation is simply the most recent instance in a collection of company conflicts over COVID-related insurance policies. It follows the boycott on Carhartt merchandise that was sparked final month by its CEO stating that he nonetheless mandated COVID-19 vaccines for all workers, regardless of the Supreme Courtroom's rejection of the federal regulation. Sey said that she was towards faculty closings on account of "the harms triggered digital studying".

She stated that her views had been criticized by a number of Levi's executives and departments, together with the HR and authorized departments. Sey stated that though she was informed that she was on monitor for changing into the subsequent CEO of the corporate, she wanted to cease speaking about faculty.

Sey wrote, "Within the final month the CEO informed me it was 'untenable for me to stay'."

"Making an attempt to please mobs"

Levi's is "trapped, attempting to please mob -- and suppressing any dissent inside group." Sey stated that Levi's is "trapped attempting to please the mob -- and silencing any dissent throughout the group."

Sey, a mom of 4, said that she spoke out about faculty closings as a non-public citizen and never for Levi's. She said that she moved her household from San Francisco to Denver, California so her kindergartner may attend faculty there in individual. This transfer attracted consideration each regionally and nationally.

On social media, her opinions obtained each reward and criticism.

"You make a alternative. One reader identified that most individuals do not find the money for to afford this luxurious. However do you actually perceive why faculties are closed? Sure, there's some danger for kids. The very fact is that viruses usually tend to enter properties by way of faculties than by youngsters.