Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick could be required to leave the company temporarily as the ride-hailing service struggles to recover from months of controversies, according to multiple reports.

Uber's board was considering the management move at a meeting on Sunday (Monday AEST), as well as other policy changes linked to a workplace culture report being prepared by a high-powered law firm and former US Attorney General Eric Holder. Under the report's recommendations, Emil Michael, Uber's senior vice-president of business, could also be forced out, according to the New York Times. The board consists of seven voting members, including Kalanick himself.