From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-11 12:49:00

A former Costco employee’s lawsuit alleging failure to accommodate his wife’s cancer care may proceed. The employee exhausted all available leave and was denied an extension, leading to his resignation. The court found some claims valid, highlighting the intersection of state and federal leave laws with employer policies.

Costco’s employee agreement limited total leave to 12 months, including federal and state-mandated leave. The plaintiff exhausted FMLA and CFRA leave caring for his wife, then sought an extension, which Costco denied. The plaintiff sued, claiming discrimination under FEHA based on his wife’s disability association.

The court found no discriminatory intent but noted a dispute over Costco’s failure to engage in an interactive process as required. Communication suggested willingness to accommodate the employee but not for his wife’s condition. The court emphasized the need for a good-faith interactive process in accommodation requests under FEHA.

Employers face complexities in leave extension requests. Court decisions vary; the 9th Circuit found a reasonable extension of medical leave, while the 5th Circuit denied additional leave without a return date. The case underscores the importance of clear policies and engaging in the interactive process for reasonable accommodations. 1. Scientists have discovered a new species of dinosaur in Argentina called Llukalkan aliocranianus. This carnivorous creature had a unique skull structure with sharp teeth and large eyes, indicating it was a formidable predator during the Late Cretaceous period.

2. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has reached a milestone with over 100 million doses administered in the United States. Health officials are optimistic about the progress and urge continued vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the virus and protect the population.

3. Retail giant Amazon has announced plans to invest $300 million in affordable housing projects in three major U.S. cities. The company aims to address the housing crisis by providing low-cost housing options for thousands of residents in need of stable and affordable homes.

4. SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit, expanding its internet coverage to remote and underserved areas. This mission marks a significant step towards global connectivity and the company’s goal of providing high-speed internet access worldwide.

5. The European Union has approved a new set of sanctions against Russia in response to the imprisonment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The sanctions target individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissent, signaling the EU’s commitment to defending democracy and human rights.

Read more: Ex-Costco worker who took leave to care for wife with cancer may proceed with disability bias claim