Many people who are fired from their jobs wonder if the termination was illegal. Unfortunately, many firings are completely legal in the state of Texas. Texas is an at-will employment state. This means the employer can fire a worker for almost any reason. It is possible to terminate an employee for no reason at all. If the reason for termination is false or absurd, that does not necessarily result in an illegal termination. Nevertheless, it is important for workers to understand Employment Laws in Houston. There are times when termination may actually be illegal. If workers find that their firings were illegal, it is a good idea to contact an attorney that specializes in employment law as soon as possible.
Even if it is not hard for employers to terminate workers legally, bosses cannot fire workers for certain reasons prohibited under federal law. For example, it is not legal to fire a worker on the basis of gender, age, or ethnicity. Furthermore, it is illegal for employers to fire employees in retaliation for workers compensation claims or discrimination claims. Those who suspect that they have been fired for one of those reasons should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. In rare circumstances, there may be an employment contract signed by both parties that limits the employer’s ability to terminate a worker. Executive management employees as well as some union workers may have additional protections against termination beyond what is provided by federal law.
Although Employment Laws in Houston are clear as far as what types of terminations are illegal, proving that a firing was illegal can be difficult. In many instances, the employer will come up with a legal reason for firing a worker even though the real reason is illegal. That is why workers who believe that they are going to be fired should gather evidence prior to termination. Any evidence gathered prior to being terminated could potentially be helpful to an employment lawyer.
Under most circumstances, cases involving illegal terminations are settled out of court. Juries can be unpredictable. Most people who are terminated illegally and sue their employers are satisfied with financial compensation and would rather not return to a hostile workplace. More information on employment laws visit law firm of Filteau & Sullivan
