Employment in Texas is generally considered to be "at-will," which means that either the employer or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule, including cases of wrongful termination.
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer terminates an employee in violation of federal or state law. In Texas, there are several reasons why an employee may have grounds to sue their employer for wrongful termination. These include:
Breach of contract: If the employer and employee have a contract that specifies the terms and conditions of employment, and the employer terminates the employee in violation of the contract, the employee may have grounds for a breach of contract claim.
Discrimination: If the employer terminates an employee based on their race, gender, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristic, the employee may have grounds for a discrimination claim under federal or state law.
Retaliation: If the employer terminates an employee in retaliation for the employee's engagement in a protected activity, such as reporting discrimination or harassment, the employee may have grounds for a retaliation claim.
Violation of public policy: If the employer terminates an employee for reasons that violate public policy, such as refusing to engage in illegal activities or reporting illegal activity, the employee may have grounds for a wrongful termination claim.
In order to bring a wrongful termination claim in Texas, the employee must generally file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of the termination. The EEOC will investigate the claim and may bring a lawsuit on behalf of the employee or issue a "right to sue" letter, which allows the employee to file a lawsuit against the employer.
It is important to note that Texas is an "employment-at-will" state, which means that employees without a written contract can generally be terminated for any reason or no reason at all. However, this does not mean that employers are immune from wrongful termination lawsuits.
If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, it is important to consult with experienced employment lawyer Ryan Pigg who can review the details of your case and advise you on your legal options. While wrongful termination claims can be difficult to prove, with the right legal representation, you may be able to obtain compensation for your losses and hold your employer accountable for their actions. Call Ryan Pigg at (855) 713-PIGG for legal assistance.
