Discrimination or unfair treatment in the workplace can take a variety of forms, and no two cases are the same. No matter the situation, it is illegal for an employer to harass, demote, or fire an employee based on any of the characteristics listed above. If your employment is altered or strained because your employer finds a characteristic of yours unpleasant or undesirable, you have the right to file a lawsuit. If you decide to file a lawsuit against your employer in Texas due to suspected discrimination, you must first submit a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It’s best to act quickly as there is a time limit to file a charge. There is also a cap on the amount of damages you can recover from your lawsuit. Employers with 100 employees or fewer have a damages limit of $50,000 while those with more than 500 employees have a limit of $300,000.

Beyond the EEOC, Texas law:

  1. Protects whistleblowers: If you bring attention to a serious issue within your place of employment, you have protections in place that prohibit you from being harassed or fired from your job by your employer.
  2. Prohibits discriminatory advertising of jobs: An employer cannot post a job with discriminatory language within the ad, such as asking for a specific gender, telling those with disabilities that they cannot apply, etc.
  3. Promotes competitive job opportunities for disabled individuals.

At M. J. Watson and Associates, P.C., I have an understanding of Texas employment law. If you believe that your employer has acted in a discriminatory way towards you, contact me today. I can help you determine the best course of action moving forward. You deserve the right to succeed in your career free from discrimination, and I’m here to defend your rights.