Workplace Discrimination in Texas: Know Your Rights

Workplace discrimination is illegal in Texas and throughout the United States. Federal and state laws protect employees from being treated differently because of protected characteristics — and when employers violate these laws, they can be held accountable. At Anderson Alexander PLLC, our Corpus Christi employment law attorneys fight for workers who have been subjected to illegal discrimination throughout the Coastal Bend and Texas.

WHAT IS WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION?

Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfavorably because of a protected characteristic. Federal law protects workers from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, sex and gender under Title VII and the Equal Pay Act, pregnancy and childbirth under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, age for workers 40 and older under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, religion under Title VII, and genetic information under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Texas state law under the Texas Labor Code provides additional protections for employees.

TYPES OF WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

Disparate treatment occurs when you are treated differently than similarly situated employees because of a protected characteristic. Disparate impact occurs when employer policies appear neutral but disproportionately harm members of a protected group. Hostile work environment occurs when harassment based on a protected characteristic is severe or pervasive enough to create an abusive work environment. Retaliation occurs when you are punished for reporting discrimination, filing a complaint, or participating in an investigation.

COMMON EXAMPLES OF WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION IN TEXAS

Being passed over for promotion in favor of less qualified candidates of a different race or gender. Being paid less than colleagues doing the same work because of your sex. Being fired shortly after disclosing a pregnancy or disability. Experiencing racial slurs or offensive jokes in the workplace that management ignores. Being denied reasonable accommodation for a disability. Facing retaliation after filing an EEOC complaint or reporting workplace safety violations.

HOW TO FILE A WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION CLAIM IN TEXAS

Before filing a lawsuit, most employees must first file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is a critical step with strict deadlines.

In Texas, you generally have 300 days from the discriminatory act to file an EEOC charge. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim even if the underlying discrimination was clear and well-documented.

After the EEOC processes your charge, they will issue a Right to Sue letter that allows you to file a lawsuit in federal court. Anderson Alexander handles the entire EEOC process and federal litigation for our clients throughout Texas.

WHY ANDERSON ALEXANDER FOR YOUR TEXAS EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CASE

Austin Anderson and Clif Alexander are named to Super Lawyers for their work representing clients in employment law and personal injury cases. We have the experience to take on large employers and their legal teams.

We represent employees in race discrimination claims, gender and sex discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, age discrimination under the ADEA, disability discrimination under the ADA, retaliation claims, hostile work environment cases, and wage and hour violations.

Portland TX: a2xlaw.com/personal-injury-attorney-portland-tx Rockport TX: a2xlaw.com/personal-injury-attorney-rockport-tx Contact us: a2xlaw.com

Call (361) 452-1279. Free consultation.