She was even considered for the role of CEO. COVID-19 was the result. She wrote in a blog that she left the apparel manufacturer after being pressured by it to stop talking about her opposition to school closings due to the pandemic.
Sey stated that she declined $1 million in severance due to fear it would come with non-disclosure agreements that would prevent her from discussing the reasons for her departure.
"The money would have been very nice. She said Monday that she couldn't make it.
Levi's confirmed Sey's resignation in an email to CBS MoneyWatch. While the company searches for a replacement for Sey, Chief Commercial Officer Seth Ellison will assume the role of brand president interim. Sey's comments and allegations were not addressed by Levi's.
This resignation is just the latest example in a series of corporate conflicts over COVID-related policies. It follows the boycott on Carhartt products that was sparked last month by its CEO stating that he still mandated COVID-19 vaccines for all employees, despite the Supreme Court's rejection of the federal regulation. Sey stated that she was against school closings due to "the harms caused virtual learning".
She said that her views were criticized by several Levi's executives and departments, including the HR and legal departments. Sey said that although she was told that she was on track for becoming the next CEO of the company, she needed to stop talking about school.
Sey wrote, "In the last month the CEO told me it was 'untenable for me to remain'."
"Trying to please mobs"
Levi's is "trapped, trying to please mob -- and suppressing any dissent within organization." Sey said that Levi's is "trapped trying to please the mob -- and silencing any dissent within the organization."
Sey, a mother of four, stated that she spoke out about school closings as a private citizen and not for Levi's. She stated that she moved her family from San Francisco to Denver, California so her kindergartner could attend school there in person. This move attracted attention both locally and nationally.
On social media, her opinions received both praise and criticism.
"You make a choice. One reader pointed out that most people don't have enough money to afford this luxury. But do you really understand why schools are closed? Yes, there is some risk for children. The fact is that viruses are more likely to enter homes via schools than through children.
