A seemingly harmless pair of black orthotic sandals nearly cost Joyce Weber her decades-long career as an auditor appraiser for San Joaquin County. For years, she relied on these sandals to manage her plantar fasciitis, a painful condition affecting the feet. However, in 2019, these very sandals became the center of a contentious conflict with her supervisor.
Weber had worn her orthotic sandals to work for years, with previous supervisors allowing it. But in 2019, her new supervisor took issue with her choice of footwear, claiming it violated the dress code policy.
"I had severe pain down on my heel, up my thigh, to the point that the orthotic sandals were providing support to my plantar, my arch. I have no arches, I have flat feet," Weber explained, emphasizing their importance for medical reasons.
Despite multiple doctor's notes justifying her need for the sandals, Weber received a letter of reprimand from her supervisor for wearing them to work. This marked the beginning of a challenging ordeal that Weber faced, including unfair treatment in the workplace, lack of medical accommodations, and even accusations of mishandling her work, which jeopardized her employment.
"They turned work papers over to the District Attorney’s office in order to get me fired or terminated or something, and the DA says there’s not enough evidence here," Weber recounted.
To address her concerns, Weber approached the agency's human resources department and sought support from a union. When her situation didn't improve, she took the step of filing a disability discrimination lawsuit against San Joaquin County.
As the litigation process unfolded, Weber decided to retire within the next year. This summer, nearly four years after filing the lawsuit, she received a settlement of $375,000 from the county.
Public documents revealed that Weber's former supervisor, Steve Bestolarides, had acted in retaliation. Surprisingly, the county chose not to discipline Bestolarides despite its own investigations confirming his actions.
Weber's decision to speak out stems from a desire to inspire others facing similar challenges. "I just want to encourage other people. When you see a wrong, say something. Don’t be afraid, even if it’s government. Even if it’s small government, big government, speak up," she urged.
In response to inquiries, the county released a statement to KCRA 3: "The County is pleased that this case was resolved without the need for further litigation. In reaching the settlement, the County admitted no wrongdoing but acknowledges that litigation can be costly and extremely taxing on those involved in the process. Reaching resolution will allow all parties to move forward."
Weber's case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing workplace discrimination and standing up for one's rights, no matter the circumstances.
