At trial, EEOC Trial Attorneys Richard Mrizek and Laura Feldman argued that Costco knew about the customer's conduct, but failed to take appropriate steps to correct the harassment and prevent it from recurring.
But an employee who is “forced to take unpaid leave” due to “severe psychological distress,” Townsend, 995 F.2d at 693, cannot “remain on the job while seeking redress of the harassment.” In this case, where, the EEOC argues, Suppo was unable to work at any job due to Costco’s unlawful action, the “remain on the job” expectation would not have encouraged Case: 17-2432 Document: 42-3 RESTRICTED Filed: 12/22/2017 Pages: 28
This finding provides a basis for the district court to determine, on remand, that Costco’s unlawful employment action “caused [Suppo] severe psychological distress.” Townsend, 995 F.2d at 693.
Finally, although causation and mitigation should be reserved for remand, we note that the trial record provides ample basis for a finding by the district court that Costco’s unlawful action caused Suppo psychological distress that, in turn, caused her to lose wages.
The trial record amply supports a district court finding that Costco’s unlawful action caused Suppo’s emotional distress and lost wages.
Workplace equityConfirmed
Costco is cross-appellee in 2017 judgment
Costco is a cross-appellee in a 2017 legal judgment involving a motion for judgment as a matter of law and a motion for new trial.
R.234 (SA.2; ECF No.14-2) (Judgment).[1] On January 18, 2017, Defendant-Appellant Cross-Appellee Costco Wholesale Corp. (“Costco”) timely filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law and a motion for new trial.
Corporate conductSettlement
Costco settles for $14 million
Costco reached a proposed $14 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed in Washington.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington — where Costco is headquartered — accuses the company of violating Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act and the Washington Consumer Protection Act.
In an email sent to potential settlement class members, it was stated that Costco has been accused of sending emails that “advertised temporary or time-limited promotions to consumers, when in fact Costco knew it was going to extend those promotions past the stated time frame.” A couple of email titles were highlighted in the court-approved notice, such as “Today is the last day to access Member-Only Saving” and “Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only.”
The lawsuit alleges that Costco misled certain customers and “violated Washington law” by sending marketing emails with “false or misleading subject lines” to Washington residents.
Costco has just reached a proposed $14 million settlement in the “Michael Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation” class action lawsuit, which was filed last year in the company’s home state of Washington.
Costco Just Settled a Major Class Action Lawsuit—and You Could Get More Than $500 Back - AOL
Corporate conductConfirmed
Costco receives refund reports for Trash Cans
Costco received reports from members returning Trash Cans for a refund.
The large majority of reports that Costco received about the Trash Cans were comments from Memhers who were returning the Trash Cans to Costco for a refund, Further.
At Costco's request, the vendor also notified CPSC pursuant to CPSA Section 15(b) a.nd then recalled the Trash Cans in cooperation with CPSC.
RESPONSE OF COSTCO 13.Coste.o's Product Safety Committee reviewed reports associated with the Trash Cans that Costco received over time.