Understanding Texas Employment Law and the Role of an Employment Lawyer

Employment law is a vital field that touches the lives of nearly everyone who works. It’s a set of legal standards and regulations that govern the relationship between employers and employees. This law covers a wide range of topics, from hiring practices to workplace safety, and from discrimination to wrongful termination. Understanding the role of an employment lawyer is crucial in navigating these complex legal landscapes.

Throughout this page we will outline the basics of employment law, but remember, the team at Jackson Spencer is always one phone call or web form away from being able to answer any more specific questions you may have to ensure your workplace rights are fully understood and protected.

Understanding Texas Employment Law and the Role of an Employment Lawyer

Employment law is a vital field that touches the lives of nearly everyone who works. It’s a set of legal standards and regulations that govern the relationship between employers and employees. This law covers a wide range of topics, from hiring practices to workplace safety, and from discrimination to wrongful termination. Understanding the role of an employment lawyer is crucial in navigating these complex legal landscapes.

Throughout this page we will outline the basics of employment law, but remember, the team at Jackson Spencer is always one phone call or web form away from being able to answer any more specific questions you may have to ensure your workplace rights are fully understood and protected.

How Does Employment Law Work in Texas?

Employment law broadly includes federal, state, and local regulations that establish how employers must treat their employees, former employees, and applicants for employment. These laws are designed to ensure fair treatment in the workplace and to protect both the employer and the employee.

In Texas, there are additional laws that protect employees that may not be present in all other states. Consider reaching out to our team via phone or web form to learn more about the nuances of Texas employment law – we’ve seen it all, and we can help. For example, in Texas it is easier to submit a sexual harassment claim than in many other states (Texas gives you more time to file, also requires fewer employees). In some ways Texas can be more restrictive than other states: for example, in some types of claims there can be very short deadlines for filing a lawsuit which can put more pressure on your case to develop facts as fast as possible. Failure to meet those deadlines can lead to your case being lost forever – to avoid this, we recommend consulting our team at Jackson Spencer Law as soon as possible.

Key aspects of employment law include:

1. Discrimination and Harassment:

Laws such as the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. Harassment, a form of discrimination, can also be a serious issue in the workplace.

2. Wages and Hours:

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor.

3. Family and Medical Leave:

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons.

4. Benefits and Pensions:

Laws regulate how employers must handle employee benefits and pension plans.

5. Severance Agreements:

One aspect of an employee’s relationship with an employer is how much severance an employee might get in case of termination, and under what circumstances severance is given. An employment lawyer can help you understand your own severance agreement and help you negotiate the best possible severance package.

How Does Employment Law Work in Texas?

Employment law broadly includes federal, state, and local regulations that establish how employers must treat their employees, former employees, and applicants for employment. These laws are designed to ensure fair treatment in the workplace and to protect both the employer and the employee.

In Texas, there are additional laws that protect employees that may not be present in all other states. Consider reaching out to our team via phone or web form to learn more about the nuances of Texas employment law – we’ve seen it all, and we can help. For example, in Texas it is easier to submit a sexual harassment claim than in many other states (Texas gives you more time to file, also requires fewer employees). In some ways Texas can be more restrictive than other states: for example, in some types of claims there can be very short deadlines for filing a lawsuit which can put more pressure on your case to develop facts as fast as possible. Failure to meet those deadlines can lead to your case being lost forever – to avoid this, we recommend consulting our team at Jackson Spencer Law as soon as possible.

Key aspects of employment law include:

1. Discrimination and Harassment:

Laws such as the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. Harassment, a form of discrimination, can also be a serious issue in the workplace.

2. Wages and Hours:

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor.

3. Family and Medical Leave:

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons.

4. Benefits and Pensions:

Laws regulate how employers must handle employee benefits and pension plans.

5. Severance Agreements:

One aspect of an employee’s relationship with an employer is how much severance an employee might get in case of termination, and under what circumstances severance is given. An employment lawyer can help you understand your own severance agreement and help you negotiate the best possible severance package.

What Does an Employment Lawyer Do?

So, realistically what can an employment lawyer do for you? From drafting and reviewing employment contracts, to helping you negotiate the best severance package, to protecting you from retaliation and discrimination in the workplace – the team at Jackson Spencer Law is licensed to practice in all of Texas and have represented hundreds and hundreds of cases with decades and decades of experience at your disposal. The roles and responsibilities of an employment lawyer include but are not limited to:

  1. Advising on legal rights and responsibilities: Employment lawyers help clients understand their legal rights and obligations. For employees, this might involve explaining rights under employment contracts or laws like the FMLA. For employers, it could involve ensuring policies comply with labor laws.
  2. Handling disputes: These lawyers often deal with disputes between employers and employees. This might include issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage disputes.
  3. Drafting and reviewing documents: Employment lawyers prepare and review employment contracts, employee handbooks, non-compete agreements, and severance agreements to ensure legal compliance.
  4. Litigation: When disputes cannot be resolved outside of court, employment lawyers represent their clients in legal proceedings.

What Does an Employment Lawyer Do?

So, realistically what can an employment lawyer do for you? From drafting and reviewing employment contracts, to helping you negotiate the best severance package, to protecting you from retaliation and discrimination in the workplace – the team at Jackson Spencer Law is licensed to practice in all of Texas and have represented hundreds and hundreds of cases with decades and decades of experience at your disposal. The roles and responsibilities of an employment lawyer include but are not limited to:

  1. Advising on legal rights and responsibilities: Employment lawyers help clients understand their legal rights and obligations. For employees, this might involve explaining rights under employment contracts or laws like the FMLA. For employers, it could involve ensuring policies comply with labor laws.
  2. Handling disputes: These lawyers often deal with disputes between employers and employees. This might include issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage disputes.
  3. Drafting and reviewing documents: Employment lawyers prepare and review employment contracts, employee handbooks, non-compete agreements, and severance agreements to ensure legal compliance.
  4. Litigation: When disputes cannot be resolved outside of court, employment lawyers represent their clients in legal proceedings.

Why is Employment Law Important?

Protects Employees:

It ensures that employees are treated fairly and are not subjected to unsafe working conditions or discriminatory practices.

Accountability For Employers:

It also protects employers by providing clear guidelines on how to legally manage their staff, reducing the risk of costly legal disputes.

Promotes Fairness:

Employment law seeks to create a balanced and fair workplace where employees can work without fear of unjust treatment, and employers can manage their workforce effectively.

When Do I Need an Employment Lawyer?

I think I’m about to get fired

Few things are as disheartening as the realization that your company might be preparing to fire you. You might want to stop working, lash out, or confront your supervisors. Here’s what to do if you think your termination is around the corner – and what not to do if you suspect you may be getting fired.

I think I’ve been discriminated against

If you suspect you have been discriminated against at work, you may be able to file a claim against your employer and receive monetary damages. Work with an experienced lawyer first to make sure you hit important deadlines and have all the right information to win your claim.

I was a whistleblower. Now what?

Don’t be afraid to lose your job: There are federal and state laws that protect you from being retaliated against if you report fraud or misconduct.

I need more severance

Don’t sign a severance agreement right away: gather your information first and consider getting advice from an experienced employment lawyer.

I’m being sexually harassed at work

Federal and state laws protect you from being sexually harassed in the workplace. We have 12 examples of conduct that may be sexual harassment, and next steps to take if you have experienced these at work.

My company owes me overtime

For covered, non-exempt employees, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay at a rate of not less than one and one-half times an employee’s regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a 7-day “work week.”

I need help with a contract

We know all the ins and outs of contracts between an employer and employee.

I was denied my request for unemployment benefits

If your former employer denies your right to unemployment benefits, the Texas Workforce Commission will require a telephonic hearing during which witnesses will testify. Almost all employers are represented by counsel, so it’s beneficial to have an attorney on your side as well to present your case.

How to Hire an Employment Lawyer in Texas

  1. Free Consultation – Contact Jackson Spencer Law for a free consultation over the phone (or if easier, fill out our detailed web form so that we can learn more about your situation and provide you the best possible answer on how to proceed)
  2. Gathering the facts – Our team will help you make sure the facts are in place to build a legitimate case against your employer or make sure that your contract / agreement with your employer is aligned with your best interests
  3. Engagement Agreement – This gives our team the permission and ability to represent you in your case and sets out the rules of how we will protect your best interests

Resources for hiring an employment lawyer in Texas:

How to Hire an Employment Lawyer in Texas

  1. Free Consultation – Contact Jackson Spencer Law for a free consultation over the phone (or if easier, fill out our detailed web form so that we can learn more about your situation and provide you the best possible answer on how to proceed)
  2. Gathering the facts – Our team will help you make sure the facts are in place to build a legitimate case against your employer or make sure that your contract / agreement with your employer is aligned with your best interests
  3. Engagement Agreement – This gives our team the permission and ability to represent you in your case and sets out the rules of how we will protect your best interests

Resources for hiring an employment lawyer in Texas:

Contact Us Today:

    Our Attorneys

    Fighting for Employees in Texas

    Experienced. Knowledgable. Caring.

    The attorneys at Jackson Spencer Law are here for you.  We know the law — and we know the rights and protections that employers owe to their workers. Whether it’s negotiating a severance package or a settlement with an employer, navigating the complexities of a whistleblower case, or taking a discrimination lawsuit to court — let our Texas legal team go to work for you.

    Attorney Jennifer Spencer on phone

    Jennifer Spencer

    Attorney

    An experienced trial lawyer and CPA known for her aggressive, organized, and highly effective litigation style, Jennifer Spencer is a champion for the rights of those who have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, sexually harassed, terminated after whistleblowing, passed over for promotions or otherwise wrongfully treated in the workplace.

      Attorney Neal Bridges at his computer

      Neal Bridges

      Attorney

      Neal Bridges approaches every employment matter with the understanding that he’s not only delivering justice for his clients, but also peace of mind and hope for the future. He is experienced in a wide array of employment law situations, from negotiating severance agreements to representing clients in litigation over wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or retaliation.

      James Hunnicut

      James Hunnicutt

      Attorney

      James Hunnicutt’s entire professional history has been focused on advocating for those who have been taken advantage of and treated unfairly. He draws on his background as a consumer protection lawyer to advocate for employees who have been treated unfairly in the workplace, and he works aggressively and thoroughly to vindicate employees’ rights.

      Practice Areas

      Discrimination

      Wrongful Termination

      Retaliation Claims

      Sexual Harassment Claims

      Whistleblower Cases

      Overtime and Back Pay

      Contracts and Employee Handbooks

      Discrimination

      Wrongful Termination

      Retaliation Claims

      Sexual Harassment Claims

      Whistleblower Cases

      Overtime and Back Pay

      Contracts and Employee Handbooks

      Jackson Spencer Law

      The attorneys at Dallas-based Jackson Law have in-depth experience in representing employees who are in disputes with their employers. How can we help you?

      Man and woman facing staircases with unequal levels of difficulty

      Discrimination

      Discrimination is a big problem, and it’s not going away. If you can claim a protected status, you may have a case. Read more

      Jackson Spencer Law

      Wrongful Termination

      If you were recently fired and are questioning the legality of your termination, we need to talk. Read more

      Wrecking ball hitting a brick wall

      Retaliation Claims

      Your employer can’t punish you for engaging in a legally protected activity. Know your rights. Read more

      Illustration of female surrounded by shadowy male hands

      Sexual Harassment Claims

      A glance at today’s headlines tells you harassment is a huge issue. Let’s talk about what you’re experiencing. Read more

      Woman confronting shadowy image of a large whistle, symbolizing whistleblowers

      Whistleblower Cases

      What can you do if you learn of illegal activity at work? Plenty. Learn about your rights — and possible rewards. Read more

      Jackson Spencer Law

      Overtime and Back Pay

      Not all employees are eligible for overtime — but many are. We’ll help determine what you’re owed. Read more

      Pen nib popping balloon

      Contracts and Employee Handbooks

      Are you an employer? Handbooks and codes of conduct aren’t required, but they’re always a good idea. Let’s make sure you’re covered. Read more