Armenta

BACKGROUND

In February 2011, Armenta was terminated from her employment with MNI. At that time, she was 63 years old, and had worked at MNI for 23 years. MNI manufactures, imports, and distributes confectionary specialty foods and gift packs. MNI employs permanent employees, who work year-round, and seasonal employees, who work from May through November. Employees who work full- time receive employer benefits, such as health and life insurance, regardless of whether they are permanent or seasonal employees; part-time employees do not receive those benefits. At times during her employment Armenta was a permanent employee, and at other times she was a seasonal employee. However, she always was a full-time employee. In August 2012, Armenta filed a lawsuit against MNI, alleging four causes of action: (1) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (2) age discrimination in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA); (3) wrongful termination in violation of public policy; and (4) retaliation in violation of Government Code section 12940, subdivision (h). The complaint alleged that Armenta worked for MNI as a machine operator from July 1988 until February 2011.…