Home / Workplace Discrimination
DFW Employment Law
You should be judged by your work — not by who you are.
Federal law and the Texas Labor Code protect employees from discrimination based on protected characteristics. If your race, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, or pregnancy cost you a job, a promotion, or fair treatment, the law is on your side.
Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code make it illegal for employers to treat you differently because of your race, color, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation/gender identity), religion, national origin, age (40+), or disability. Discrimination can take the form of firing, demotion, pay gaps, denied promotions, or a hostile work environment.
Protected characteristics under the law
- Race and color
- Sex — including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity
- National origin
- Religion
- Age (40 and older)
- Disability — including the failure to provide a reasonable accommodation
- Genetic information
What discrimination can look like
It isn't always blatant. Discrimination shows up as being passed over for promotions, paid less than coworkers doing the same work, disciplined more harshly, excluded from opportunities, subjected to slurs or a hostile environment, or fired and replaced by someone outside your protected group. Often the strongest evidence is a pattern — how you were treated compared to others.
How a discrimination claim works in Texas
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the EEOC (the Dallas District Office covers the DFW area) or the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division before you can sue. There are strict deadlines — generally 300 days from the discriminatory act for federal claims, and as little as 180 days for some state claims. We help you file correctly and on time, then pursue the claim from there.
Do I have a case?
If any of this sounds familiar, let's talk.
- You were passed over for a promotion that went to a less-qualified person outside your group.
- You're paid less than coworkers doing substantially the same job.
- You were disciplined or fired while others who did the same thing were not.
- You've heard slurs, jokes, or comments about a protected characteristic at work.
- You were treated differently after disclosing a pregnancy, disability, or your age.
Common questions
Straight answers.
What counts as illegal discrimination?
Being treated worse at work because of a protected characteristic — race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age (40+), or disability. It can affect hiring, pay, promotions, discipline, firing, or the day-to-day environment.
Do I have to file with the EEOC first?
Usually, yes. Most discrimination claims require filing a charge with the EEOC or the Texas Workforce Commission before going to court — and there are short deadlines. We handle that process for you.
What's the deadline?
Generally 300 days from the discriminatory act for federal claims; some Texas claims must be filed within 180 days. Because the clock can start running early, it's best to call as soon as you can.
What if I'm still employed there?
You're still protected. It's illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for reporting discrimination or filing a charge, and we can advise you on how to proceed while keeping your job.
Areas we serve
Representing employees across Dallas–Fort Worth.
Serving employees across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Charges for the DFW area are handled through the EEOC Dallas District Office and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Take the first step
The sooner you have counsel, the more options you have.
Reaching out today can change the outcome.