Nicole Eichberger
Partner
Nicole A. Eichberger is a partner in the Labor and Employment Law Department and a member of the Class & Collective Actions and Wage and Hour Groups. Nici is an experienced trial lawyer and represents clients in all types of employment-related matters, from single-plaintiff and complex employment to large, complex class and collective actions alleging discrimination, non-compete violations, and wage and hour disputes.
Nici has significant experience assisting clients in the defense of numerous class and collective actions. She frequently counsels employers, fiduciaries, and trustees on employment, wage-and-hour and benefit issues.
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On May 24, 2017, the Louisiana Senate Finance Committee voted 7-3 against Senate Bill No. 153, which aimed to increase the state minimum wage to $8.00 per hour in 2018 and to $8.50 per hour in 2019. The bill also would have required the state minimum wage to be raised to match any increase to … Continue Reading
New Orleans Mayor, Mitch Landrieu, has issued an executive order that bans questions about salary history during the application processes for City positions. The executive order is effective January 25, 2017 and is similar to measures in Philadelphia and Massachusetts. The executive order applies to all City departments and prohibits inquiries about a candidate’s salary … Continue Reading
On December 19, 2016, the Fifth Circuit joined the Sixth and Seventh Circuits in holding that “employees” under the FLSA may recover emotional distress damages in FLSA retaliation actions, finding that the district court erred by refusing to instruct the jury on the availability of emotional distress damages for an employee’s retaliation claim. In so … Continue Reading
In EEOC v. St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Eleventh Circuit recently held that the reasonable accommodation standard under the ADA “only requires an employer allow a disabled person to compete equally with the rest of the world for a vacant position” as a reasonable accommodation, and employers are not required to reassign a disabled employee into … Continue Reading
On October 4, 2016, the Fifth Circuit in Reyna v. International Bank of Commerce instructed district courts that when the issue of arbitrability is raised in a prompt motion to compel, it should be decided at the outset of the litigation—even prior to deciding conditional certification in FLSA collective actions. Reyna builds upon the Fifth … Continue Reading
A well-drafted anti-sexual harassment policy and complaint procedure can provide useful defenses for employers defending against claims of sexual harassment. However, a recent decision from the Fifth Circuit should remind employers that simply drafting that policy is only half the battle – they must also ensure that employees actually know that the policy exists. Kandice Pullen (“Pullen”) worked at … Continue Reading
Louisiana is anticipated to become the latest state to enact state-wide protections for applicants with criminal backgrounds under the well-known “ban the box” movement. The bill, HB 266, recently passed both houses of the Louisiana Legislature and is currently awaiting approval from Governor John Bel Edwards, who is expected to sign the bill into law. … Continue Reading
On November 13, 2014, the Fifth Circuit handed down its opinion in Coffin v. Blessey Marine Services, Inc., No. 13-20144, 2014 WL 5904734 (5th Cir. Nov. 13, 2014). The opinion addressed several key factors related to the FLSA’s seaman exemption: Finding that unloading and loading of vessels is not strictly “nonseaman” work; Limiting its prior … Continue Reading
A new Louisiana law that took effect on August 1 serves to prevent employers from inquiring into an applicant’s or employee’s expunged criminal records. The law does provide for certain exceptions such as where the position requires supervisory or disciplinary authority over children. Employers who violate the law are subject to contempt proceedings. As a … Continue Reading
On August 1, 2014, Louisiana’s “Personal Online Account Protection Act,” codified as La. Rev. Stat. §§ 28:1951-1955, went into effect. Louisiana has joined sixteen other states that have enacted laws prohibiting or restricting employers from accessing employees’ personal online accounts – including social media (Twitter, Facebook or similar sites), email accounts, or any other online … Continue Reading
Louisiana Minimum Wage Increase Fails in Senate
By Nicole Eichberger and Minia Bremenstul on Posted in Wage and Hour
New Orleans Mayor Issues Executive Order Restricting City Departments From Inquiring Into An Applicant’s Salary History
Fifth Circuit Joins Sister Circuits in Holding That Employees May Recover Emotional Distress Damages in FLSA Retaliation Suits
By Nicole Eichberger and Minia Bremenstul on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Wage and Hour
Eleventh Circuit Holds the ADA Does Not Mandate Reassignment Without Competition or Preferential Treatment
By Nicole Eichberger and Minia Bremenstul on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Fifth Circuit Instructs that, When Raised, Arbitrability is a Gateway Issue that Must Be Considered Prior to Conditional Certification in FLSA Collective Actions
By Nicole Eichberger and Minia Bremenstul on Posted in Class/Collective Action, Litigation and Arbitration, Wage and Hour
Fifth Circuit Decision Reinforces The Importance of Clearly Communicating Anti-Harassment Policies
Louisiana Legislature Passes “Ban the Box” for State Employers
By Nicole Eichberger and Tulio Chirinos on Posted in Hiring/Background Checks
Fifth Circuit Refuses Application of Bright-Line Test in FLSA Seaman Exemption Dispute
By Nicole Eichberger and Lindsey Chopin on Posted in Litigation and Arbitration, Wage and Hour
Applicants & Employees Can Refuse to Disclose Expunged Criminal Records Under New Louisiana Law
By Nicole Eichberger and Daniel Saperstein on Posted in Hiring/Background Checks
Louisiana Has Joined 16 Other States and Prohibits Employers from Accessing Employee Online Accounts
By Katharine Parker, Tony Oncidi and Nicole Eichberger on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
