Case Background

Berta Cifuentes had worked at the Costco warehouse in Goleta, California, for over two decades, earning a reputation as a dependable and ethical employee. She had received multiple performance accolades and was known for mentoring others and upholding Costco’s core values. But her longstanding career came to a sudden halt in late 2022 when Costco terminated her over a disputed timecard entry.

Cifuentes, who suffered from depression and anxiety, had requested accommodations to help her manage symptoms that interfered with early morning shifts. Despite repeated discussions with management and a record of approved leaves, she claimed her requests had been brushed aside. The company cited a “falsification of company records” for her firing, a claim stemming from her correction of a minor timekeeping discrepancy involving less than a second.

What Set Things in Motion

Cifuentes filed suit alleging disability discrimination, retaliation, failure to provide reasonable accommodations, failure to engage in the interactive process, and wrongful termination. She claimed Costco had used the pretext of a timekeeping error to punish her for ongoing disability-related attendance issues and for seeking adjustments to her schedule.

The Personal Impact

The termination deeply affected Cifuentes, both emotionally and financially. After years of being a respected employee, she believed she had been pushed out unfairly for conditions beyond her control. The alle