A top executive at Lowes hardware store has quit 'effective immediately', reportedly netting $2.5 million just months after selling off $1.4 million in shares.

Jennifer Weber - who had been executive vice president of human resources since 2016 - sold 12,589 shares at $112.62 per share for a total of $1.42 million in September. Lowes' stock closed Thursday at $95.31.

She received a further $2.5 million following her resignation, Idaho Reporter claims.

It comes as Lowes workers have hit out at what they say is 'profit coming before safety' as the stores remain open.

One staff member at store in Austin, Texas died following complications caused by COVID-19, the company confirmed Thursday.

A worker said: 'We're tired, overworked, understaffed and forced to go along with all these lies that Lowe's is telling the public.'

The company said: 'Lowe's is devastated to learn of our associate's passing, and we will work closely with the family to ease this tragedy however we can. Our thoughts are also with our store associates, and we're providing grief counselors as well as a 14-day paid leave as needed.'

Jennifer Weber, pictured, has quit her executive role 'effective immediately'

'We're tired, overworked, understaffed and forced to go along with all these lies that Lowe's is telling the public', one worker for the company has said amid the pandemic

A spokesman for the company told The Charlotte Business Journal: 'Jennifer Weber has decided to leave the company, and we thank her for her leadership, enthusiasm and dedication to Lowe's over the past four year.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Lowes for comment on the timing of Weber's departure.

Lowe's senior vice president, talent management and diversity, Janice Little, will temporarily take over the role.

The company announced it was looking to hire 30,000 additional workers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

It also said the store would be closed for Easter Sunday and said it would be temporarily increasing wages through the month of April

But Lowes staff have hit out at what they say is a lack of safe working conditions in the stores. One said: 'I had to provide my own cotton mask, and I'm wearing my work gloves and washing them out at night.

'Most of my coworkers don't have any masks, and the cashiers are the only ones who have gloves. Corporate was supposed to send us masks and gloves this week, but so far they haven't arrived at the stores.

'There's no budget for buying the stuff elsewhere.'

Another told Mel Magazine: 'Safety should come before profit, period. If you don't have safe and healthy employees, you don't make a profit. Put them first.

'You're being forced to jump through hoops to get the two weeks off, and that's only if you can get your manager to approve it. I've seen associates with fairly major medical issues get turned down.'

A Lowes employee counts shoppers and limits the number inside as others wait in line to get into Lowes Home and Garden Center in Washington, DC, on April 5

A shopper wears a mask as he departs Lowes Home and Garden Center in Washington, DC

A sign asking for customers to maintain 'social distancing' due to the spread of coronavirus is displayed at the Lowe's Home and Garden center on April 2 in Scottsdale, Arizona

A spokesman for the company said: 'The health and well-being of our associates and customers is our top priority. We are making masks and gloves available to all associates in the workplace who want them and they are receiving them this week.'

Marvin Ellison, Lowe's president and CEO, recently bought $1 million of worth of stock at $014. Lowes' stock closed Thursday at $95.31.

Ellison said: 'Our ability to support communities with essential goods and services during this pandemic is thanks to our outstanding, dedicated associates.

'We want to provide our teams with a much-deserved day off to spend Easter Sunday with their families and loved ones and recharge.

'We will take steps to ensure that no hourly associate loses scheduled hours or has a reduction in pay as a result of closing on Sunday.

'I want to personally thank our 300,000 associates who have helped families stay safely at home. Their actions are nothing short of heroic.'