Office assistant seeks overtime pay in lawsuit

An office assistant has filed a lawsuit against her employer after she was informed that the company did not have to pay overtime wages.

Danise Jackson filed suit against Trial Concepts on March 2 in federal court in New Orleans.

Jackson was hired by the defendant in July 2009 as an office assistant, with duties primarily involving secretarial work.

According to the lawsuit, Jackson obtained information from the Department of Labor regarding Fair Labor Standards Act provisions and demanded an employee meeting to discuss compensation.

Jackson states her supervisor indicated that a prominent New Orleans lawyer, who was a client of the defendant, had informed the company that it was not required to pay overtime compensation.

"Defendant embarked on a relentless campaign to retaliate against Plaintiff that included repeated instances of discrimination, imposition of a hostile work environment, harassment, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress upon Plaintiff," the lawsuit states.

Jackson states the defendant fabricated an unjust and unwarranted reason to terminate her employment.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of overtime compensation owed, liquidated damages, lost wages, benefits, compensatory damages, attorney's fees, court costs and interest.

Jackson is represented by New Orleans attorney Jody Forester Jackson. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00502