Nichols v. First Data Corporation

Nichols v. First Data Corporation - Plain English Summary

What Happened

A worker filed a retaliation complaint against two companies: First Data Corporation and Jones Lang LaSalle Americas (JLL). The worker claimed they experienced retaliation after reporting a problem, likely related to protected activity. To hold both companies responsible, the worker needed to show they both employed them or worked together as joint employers.

What the Court Decided

The court dismissed the case, agreeing with JLL's request to throw it out. The judge found that the worker did not provide enough evidence that JLL and First Data actually shared employer responsibilities. Without proving joint employment, the retaliation claim could not move forward under federal civil rights law and Nebraska's fair employment rules.

Why This Matters for Workers

This case shows that when workers face retaliation from multiple companies, they must clearly demonstrate those companies jointly controlled their employment. Simply working for or through multiple companies isn't enough—workers need concrete evidence the companies acted together as employers. This can make it harder for temporary workers or contractors to win retaliation cases involving multiple organizations.