Discrimination / Retaliation

The Hansum Law Firm has represented companies in a wide range of different business sectors including the healthcare, banking, insurance, services, retail, financial, and technology sectors.

Even though Texas is an at-will employment state, under applicable discrimination laws, a company should not discriminate on the basis of an employee's race, age, disability, religion, sex, or other prohibited factors.

Separately, there are various protections to guard against retaliation. Retaliation can occur in a number of ways. One form or retaliation in Texas can occur in the workers' compensation area. For instance, under the Texas Labor Code a person may not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee because the employee has filed a workers' compensation claim in good faith.

Another form of retaliation can occur under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act for ending someone's employment who filed a charge of discrimination.

If a charge of discrimination or retaliation has been filed against the company, usually with the Texas Workforce Commission or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the company may be asked to submit a position statement. Here in Austin, it is also possible a charge may be investigated by the City of Austin Equal Employment/Fair Housing Office.

The firm has extensive experience in these areas including having submitted or assisted on position statements to numerous agencies over the years in different states. If a lawsuit later happens, the firm can also be available to assist your company. Please contact the firm for more information if you need help in this area.