Wrongful Termination in Texas
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Texas recognizes wrongful termination only for narrow public policy violations, with limited exceptions to at-will employment.
How Texas treats Wrongful Termination
Texas courts have established that at-will employees may be fired for any reason or no reason, but recognize a narrow exception when termination violates a clear, well-established public policy. The primary recognized exceptions involve firing for jury duty, military service, or reporting illegal activity under the Texas Whistleblower Act. Texas does not recognize implied contracts or good faith and fair dealing as grounds for wrongful termination claims in most employment contexts. Claims must demonstrate the termination directly contravened a specific, identifiable public policy, not general notions of fairness.
The general definition of Wrongful Termination
Illegal firing of an employee in violation of law, contract, or public policy.
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason or in violation of an employment contract or established public policy. Common illegal reasons include retaliation for reporting safety violations, discrimination based on race or gender, refusal to commit an illegal act, or exercising a legal right like jury duty. In most US states, employment is at-will, meaning employers can fire workers for almost any reason, but there are important exceptions. An employee who is wrongfully terminated can sue for damages, including lost wages and emotional distress.
Read the full Wrongful Termination entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Texas.