Former caseworker for Rep. Chavez-DeRemer files lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliatory firing
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A former caseworker for U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-06) filed a lawsuit on Friday against the congresswoman’s office, alleging she was not given disability accommodations and was fired as retaliation amid a sexual discrimination claim.
The former employee, Jennifer Tjulander, worked for Chavez-DeRemer’s campaign in 2022 as a field organizer and was later hired to work in the congresswoman’s office after she won the election in Jan. 2023 as a caseworker, according to court documents.
In the lawsuit, Tjulander claims her disability was brought on by the sudden death of her stepfather in October 2022, leading her to request workplace accommodations — including telework on certain days — and that her manager Rebecca Wright, a district manager, initially allowed that telework. Court documents claim Tjulander was given an office-issued laptop and cell phone to work from home.
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Later, during a mediation meeting in March, Tjulander did not accept a settlement over the sexual discrimination case she filed on Jan. 11, 2023 — in which she claimed that a man was hired for a deputy district director role even though she had more relevant professional experience, and claims she was paid less than her male colleagues. The lawsuit claims after the unsuccessful mediation meeting, Wright started denying Tjulander the option to work from home.
Despite other office employees regularly working from home, Tjulander alleges Wright told her the days she could not work in the office because of her disability would be deducted from her leave time, court documents say.
The lawsuit points out that when Tjulander was hired, the caseworker position did not mention a requirement to work in person.
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Two weeks after Tjulander submitted medical documentation supporting her accommodation request, she was called to a meeting with Wright and Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff Jihun Han, according to court documents. During the meeting, Tjulander says she was asked questions “pointedly aimed at finding a reason for termination,” before she was told she was being fired for “’unprofessionalism,’” and “’not following office protocols.'”
The lawsuit claims not allowing her to work from home was retaliation and also constituted disability discrimination.
“Those entrusted with forming the law should be held liable to abide by the law. I knocked more doors for Rep. Chavez-DeRemer than anyone on the campaign,” Tjulander said in a statement. “I gave so much of my time and effort to help Rep. Chavez-DeRemer get elected and worked wholeheartedly to assist her constituents as her Caseworker. The actions taken against me in retaliation for acting within my legal rights made one of the most difficult times of my life that much more unbearable. I just hope no one else has to go through what Rep. Chavez-DeRemer and her staff put me through.”
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In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Office of Rep. Chavez-DeRemer told KOIN 6 News, “Please be assured that Ms. Tjulander’s complaint does not provide a complete and accurate representation of her employment. The Office of Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or retaliate. It is against Office policy to discuss specific details about internal personnel matters, outside of the appropriate forum. The Office looks forward to responding to the allegations at the appropriate time and place, and is confident that it will be exonerated in due course once all the facts come to light.”
Kevin Owen, a partner at Gilbert Employment Law which is representing Tjulander, added, “Jennifer had extraordinary courage in speaking up over and over while Rep. Chavez-DeRemer’s Office consistently displayed a complete lack of empathy and responsibility to her under the law. Providing legally required reasonable accommodations is the bare minimum the Congresswoman and her staff should have done. Rep. Chavez-DeRemer is expected to follow the law, just like any other employer in Oregon.”
He furthered, “To turn around and fire her instead is truly unacceptable.”
Tjulander accuses Chavez-DeRemer’s office of violating the Congressional Accountability Act — including termination for requesting reasonable accommodation — along with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, court documents show.
Tjulander seeks lost wages, employment benefits, and other compensation, and asks for any adverse materials relating to her determination be expunged from her records, and seeks damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and harm to her reputation.
She also asks for an order for all employees in Chavez-DeRemer’s office to complete trainings for Congressional Workplace Rights and the Office of Employee Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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