‘Shame on Fred Meyer, shame on Kroger’: Ursula demands consequences if pregnancy allegations are true

Allegations that two pregnant Fred Meyer workers in Vancouver were denied accommodations and ultimately fired drew sharp criticism from KIRO hosts Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin, who questioned whether the company would face meaningful consequences.

Ursula outlined a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accusing Fred Meyer of violating federal protections for pregnant workers.

“If these allegations are true, shame on Fred Meyer, shame on Kroger,” Ursula said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “Pregnancy accommodations, even if you think that you’re being generous by offering them, it’s actually something that is required under federal law.”

One employee requested more bathroom access, a different position, and excused pregnancy-related absences. Managers allegedly cut her hours, refused her doctor’s notes, and fired her the same day she requested time off to give birth and recover, according to The Oregonian.

A second worker provided medical documentation requesting more bathroom breaks and excused absences. She was later suspended and fired.

Ursula noted that Fred Meyer does not comment on active lawsuits.

Gee: ‘Are they going to make it hurt for Fred Meyer?’

Gee questioned whether the lawsuit would lead to consequences substantial enough to discourage similar treatment of workers.

“Are they going to make it hurt for Fred Meyer?” Gee said.

He argued that workplace protections exist because of a history of abuse, particularly against lower-paid employees who may lack the resources to challenge their employers.

“That’s who gets abused, and then usually nobody really pays attention to it,” Gee said. “What they gonna do? They can’t afford lawyers. A lot of times these stories don’t even make it to Ursula to be talking about this.”

For Gee, financial consequences are essential.

“But this will continue to happen again unless Kroger is really, really hit in the pocket,” Gee said.

Ursula agreed that the allegations, if proven, warrant accountability.

“And Fred Meyer should absolutely face the consequences,” Ursula said.

Ursula raises a separate concern about sick leave abuse

Ursula then shifted to what she described as a separate workplace issue: employees who abuse leave protections, leaving their colleagues to pick up additional work.

She emphasized that the concern was not an excuse for the conduct alleged in the Fred Meyer lawsuit. Instead, she pointed to accounts from friends about coworkers who push workplace protections to their limits.

Gee agreed, arguing that taking shortcuts can damage an employee’s reputation.

“So, if you’re taking shortcuts in this one area of your life, nine times out of 10, you’re taking shortcuts in other areas in your life,” Gee said.

Ursula stressed that she was not describing most workers.

“And again, I want to say that the vast majority of employees do not fit into that category, and protections exist for people who actually need them, and it’s those who abuse them that make life harder for everybody else,” Ursula said.

Before the discussion ended, Gee questioned whether older workers had gone too far in the opposite direction by embracing a work-through-it mentality.

“We went too far. I think so, and I think we still have it,” Gee said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.