Karen Russell vs Fred Meyer Stores, Inc.

Case Background

On May 26, 2024, Karen Russell filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging a hostile work environment, discrimination, and retaliation against her employers at Kroger Co., dba Fred Meyer Stores. The case was heard before the Oregon Circuit Court, Deschutes County, and Judge Alycia N. Sykora was the trial judge. [Case number: 22CV17190]

Cause

In November 2017, Karen Russell began working for Kroger Co., dba Fred Meyer as a cashier and customer service representative. Defendants Lois Shelton, Scott Peterson, and Jennifer Luis, employees at Kroger, repeatedly harassed Karen sexually and maintained a hostile environment by ignoring her complaints about Luis’s unwanted advances. In April 2020, Karen learned from a co-worker that Luis was asking about her sexual orientation and dating status. Upset by this intrusion, Karen told Luis to stop. Luis also made disturbing inquiries about Karen’s menopause status. By June 2020, Luis continued with inappropriate questions and comments about Karen’s romantic life and appearance. Karen asked a co-worker to intervene, which they did. In July 2020, Luis approached Karen in the locker room, asking if her name was K. Russell and mentioning flowers she had left, alarming Karen further. Karen told Luis to leave her locker alone but later found her name