Hostile Work Environment - Austin

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Contact our Austin employment lawyers if you have a hostile work environment claim against your employer. Depending on the facts of your case, your employer may be liable for creating a hostile work environment. However, Texas employment laws are limited, and not all hostile work environments create a legal violation. Contact an Austin employment lawyer to discuss your matter by scheduling a consultation today.

What Is a Hostile Work Environment in the Workplace?

The term “hostile work environment” is used to describe a wide range of unfair work environments or employment disputes. Not all hostile work environments are against the law or create a cause of action for an employee because Texas follows the at-will employment doctrine. For example, a hostile work environment created by rudeness or disrespect by an employer is probably not against the law. However, a hostile work environment based on sexual harassment is probably against the law.

Contact an Austin employer lawyer today and schedule a consultation if you have a claim against your employer for a hostile work environment. During a consultation, our Austin employment lawyers will assist you in understanding your rights and if our Austin employment law firm can assist with your claim.

Understanding Sexual Harassment and Claims for Hostile Work Environment

Under the law, there are two main types of sexual harassment claims. One type of sexual harassment claim is known as quid pro quo sexual harassment. This type of claim may arise when a supervisor offers or threatens to alter the terms of employment in exchange for inappropriate sexual relations. For example, an employee may have a claim under this theory if a supervisor offers an employee a raise in exchange for sex. Contact an Austin employment lawyer if you would like to discuss a claim for this form of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment in the workplace may also give rise to a claim for hostile work environment. Under this theory, an employee bringing a claim must have been subjected to a pattern of sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior from a co-worker, other than the employee’s supervisor. However, in bringing a claim for hostile work environment, the employee bringing the claim might be required to put the employer on notice of the sexual harassment prior to the employer becoming liable. This means that an employee may have to complain about sexual harassment and give the employer an opportunity to prevent further harassment prior to being successful in a claim against the employer.

This area of employment law can be complicated because it often varies on the facts of each case. If you want to discuss a claim for sexual harassment or hostile work environment, contact an Austin employment lawyer today.

Hostile Work Environments and At-Will Employment in Texas

Texas follows the at-will employment doctrine. This means, with limited exception, a Texas employer has the right to terminate an employee for almost any reason or no reason at any time. It also means, with limited exception, that an employee has the right to resign for any reason or no reason at any time. For example, as absurd as it may seem, an employer could likely terminate an employee because the employer does not like the color of the employee’s socks. This often seems like a harsh doctrine.

Although this is a broad doctrine, there are several exceptions and restrictions to the at-will doctrine. For example, it may be against the law to terminate an employee because of his or her, race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or pregnancy. Additionally, an employer may be liable for terminating an employee for complaining about unlawful pay practices, unsafe work environments, or unlawful discrimination (such as disability discrimination), all of which could give rise to a claim for retaliation. Additionally, an employee may have a claim for breach of contract if the employee is terminated in violation of an enforceable employment contract.

It is often difficult to understand or prove why an employee was truly terminated. If you believe that you have a claim against an employer, contact an Austin employment lawyer and schedule a consultation today.

Contact an Austin Employment Lawyer

If you would like to discuss your employment claim, schedule a consultation with an Austin employment lawyer. Whether you have a claim for hostile work environment, workplace retaliation, breach of employment contract, sexual harassment, or unpaid wages, our Austin employment law firm will help you understand your rights.