Wrongful Termination: Protecting the Rights of Employees
Did you lose your job because you complained about illegal actions or harassing and discriminatory behavior in your workplace? Do you believe you were fired because you were pregnant or took medical leave or asked for an accommodation for a disability?
Texas is an at-will employment state, which means that you can resign, or you can be fired, with or without notice or cause. But there are two situations under which an employer cannot fire an employee at will:
- When there is a contractual employment agreement that states the reasons you can be terminated, or
- When that firing is discriminatory because it involves a legally protected class, retaliation for participating in an activity protected by law or a “public policy exceptions”
If you believe you were the victim of an unlawful firing (called “wrongful termination,” contact a Plano employment lawyer at the Frisco law office of Albin Oldner Law, PLLC. We represent employees who have been the victim of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination in North Texas communities, including Plano, McKinney, Allen and Frisco.
Call our office at (214) 225-4325 or contact us online.
Protected Class
Federal and state laws forbid discrimination (including termination) of an employee because of her or his membership in a protected class. That protected class status includes:
- Race/color
- National origin
- Religion
- Gender
- Pregnancy status
- Aged 40 or older
- Disability or genetic information
“Public Policy Exceptions” For Which Your Employer Can’t Fire You
“Public policy exceptions” is the term that covers conditions under Texas law under which an employee is protected from unlawful firing for refusing to perform an illegal act. If you were fired for these reasons, you can seek financial compensation.
State and federal law also protects against retaliation and certain whistleblower actions. Do you believe you were fired or retaliated against because you:
- Became pregnant
- Took medical leave as allowed under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Filed a workers’ compensation complaint
- Refused to commit an illegal act
- Blew the whistle on your employer’s illegal activities
- Complained about or filed a sexual harassment or discrimination grievance against a coworker or supervisor
- Filed a claim of employment discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Texas Workforce Commission.
Contact Our Frisco and Plano Employment Lawyers
Speak with a Frisco employment attorney if you’ve been the victim of retaliation or wrongful termination from a job. We are prepared to investigate your case and take it to court.
Call (214) 225-4325 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
