Costco Wins Appeal of Puerto Rico Manager’s Pregnancy Bias Suit

A Costco Wholesale Corp. manager failed to show she faced pregnancy, gender, or disability bias when the company determined she couldn’t perform the essential duties of her warehouse position and placed her on temporary leave, the First Circuit said Thursday.

Joan Oquendo worked as a receiving manager for a Costco in Puerto Rico. She asked to work the day shift to accommodate pregnancy-related medical problems, including hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition which causes severe nausea and vomiting.

Oquendo submitted a form from her doctor clearing her to work day shifts, subject to certain physical restrictions including no lifting over 10 pounds, ...