El Paso Employment Law Attorneys
Do you need legal help?
El Paso Employment Law Attorneys
Do you need legal help?
Attorney Chavez has excellent character and is truly honest and caring. The empathy his staff has shown me during my devastating time has made me feel like I am a member of their own family. I wish this law firm nothing but the best for showing such integrity.
– Luis Amador
Mr. Chávez is an excellent attorney and very professional. He solved my case and exceeded my expectations! If you need legal help regarding a wrongful termination, he is the best attorney for that!
– Maria Terrazas
My experience with Mr. Chavez was nothing but great! Him and his staff are very helpful and were always ready to answer any questions I had. The whole process was smooth and he fought real hard to get me a good settlement. I highly recommend the Chavez Law Firm. You will not be disappointed
– Adriana Solis
Mr. Chavez and all of his staff are 100% professional and dedicated to resolving a problem you may have. I highly recommend them if you have been put in a bad situation. Mr. Chavez takes a personal interest directly in your case and always remains in contact. I have a deep respect for this firm!
– Steve Hendrix
Texas Employment Law Guide
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Born and raised in El Paso, Enrique has represented hundreds of personal injury clients throughout the state of Texas. His interest in law began at the age of four, when his father explained to him that lawyers help people by defending them when wrongs are committed against them. It was the encouragement of Enrique’s father, Enrique Sr., which drove Enrique to become a lawyer and fight to rectify the wrongs committed against his clients through the legal system.
El Paso Employment Law Attorneys
Helping Across the State of Texas
Are you being subjected to discrimination in the workplace? Is your employer or another employee harassing you in a manner that makes you uncomfortable or fearful while at work? Discrimination and harassment are serious violations that many employees face every year. Do not let such wrongful actions occur in your workplace without speaking up. At Chavez Law Firm, our El Paso employment law attorneys can protect your rights and advocate for a desirable resolution to your situation on your behalf.
Having been in practice for more than two decades, our community-oriented firm is passionate about promoting and protecting safe and harassment-free workplaces. Employers, supervisors, and other employees who cause damages to innocent workers should be held accountable. Speak with one of our El Paso employment law attorneys from our firm right away to learn how we can defend your rights and file a claim for fair compensation.
Practice Areas We Handle
Choose the issue that best matches your situation. Several protections may apply to the same workplace event.
Workplace retaliationWhistleblower protectionRace discriminationReligious discriminationAge discriminationDisability discriminationSex discriminationSexual harassmentEEOC chargesFamily and medical leaveReasonable accommodationsWrongful termination
Deadlines in Texas Employment Cases
Different claims have different deadlines. Texas Labor Code Chapter 21 complaints generally must be filed within 180 days; the state filing period for a sexual-harassment complaint is generally 300 days. Many federal discrimination charges in Texas have a 300-day EEOC deadline, but coverage and exceptions matter. Federal employees generally follow a separate process and should contact an EEO counselor within 45 days.
FMLA lawsuits generally have a two-year deadline, extended to three years for willful violations. Other wage, whistleblower, contract, and retaliation claims may follow different rules. Agency filing deadlines and lawsuit deadlines are not interchangeable. Do not wait for an internal investigation or informal negotiations to finish before checking your deadline.
See the Texas Workforce Commission’s discrimination guidance, EEOC time limits, and Department of Labor FMLA enforcement guidance. For an individual assessment, request a consultation.
Types of Protection for Texas Employees
There are numerous laws that protect employees not only from harassment and discrimination but also from retaliation after the employee speaks up. Our legal professionals can examine the circumstances of your situation and determine if your employer acted in violation of any federal regulations.
- Americans with Disabilities Act: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) serves to prohibit discrimination and ensure equal opportunity in the workplace for all individuals. This act also provides regulations for building structure, accommodations, and services to ensure that disabled individuals are not wrongfully excluded in any way. If you have a recognized disability and have experienced discrimination, either in the workplace or with any other business or establishment, you may be able to hold them accountable and obtain compensation by filing a lawsuit.
- Equal Employment Opportunity: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) aids and supports individuals who have experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace. The EEOC enforces federal employment law and can help you to obtain justice and fair compensation for your case. These cases can include denial of a job or of advancement due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We can help you approach the EEOC regarding your employer’s illegal behavior and provide the support you need to maximize your chances of winning your case.
- Family and Medical Leave Cases: Employees of eligible employers have the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year due to serious illness or to care for a family member who is ill. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects eligible employees from facing discrimination or wrongful termination due to their absence and protects their right to their job upon their return. An attorney from our firm can help you file a claim if your right to unpaid leave has been denied or if you have been wrongfully terminated or demoted while taking leave.
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How our El Paso Employment Law Attorneys Can Help You
Taking a stand against your employer can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you cannot afford to lose wages or your job. On the other hand, no problem can resolve itself; you need to speak up in order to stop discrimination and harassment in the workplace. An attorney from Chavez Law Firm can provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult experience, as well as the aggressive representation needed to defend your rights and obtain justice.
Compensation and Justice for Cases of Harassment and Discrimination
Every workplace should be an area where employees are unafraid and unhindered when performing their work. Harassment and discrimination against anyone can cause serious damages and loss of income to innocent individuals. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces all federal laws pertaining to workplace and employment discrimination. It serves to obtain justice and equality in the workplace. If you have been denied a job or advancement due to your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, you could file a claim and find protection under the EEOC.
Discrimination comes in many forms. The EEOC particularly helps with cases involving hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits. Anyone who has had their rights violated by their supervisor or employer and has been unable to resolve the matter by speaking with their employer could find support by approaching the EEOC. Doing so is best accomplished with the counsel and guidance of an experienced El Paso employment lawyer. Chavez Law Firm has what it takes to help you approach the EEOC and file a strong lawsuit against employer discrimination.
Recent Blog Posts
Frequently Asked Employment Law Questions
Can an El Paso employer fire me without a reason?
Texas generally follows employment at will, but an employer cannot fire someone for an unlawful reason. Discrimination, certain forms of retaliation, and enforceable contract rights can change the analysis. An unfair decision is not automatically an illegal one. Save the termination notice, relevant messages, and a timeline so a lawyer can evaluate the actual reason and any applicable protection.
How soon should I contact a lawyer about workplace discrimination?
Contact a lawyer promptly because employment deadlines can be short and depend on the claim. State and federal discrimination procedures do not always use the same filing period. An internal complaint generally does not stop an agency deadline. Bring the dates of each incident and any agency notice so counsel can assess what must be filed and when.
Do I need a lawyer to file an EEOC charge?
You can file an EEOC charge without a lawyer. Legal advice can help you identify the relevant facts, claims, respondents, and deadlines, but hiring counsel is not a prerequisite to contacting the agency. Keep copies of your submission and correspondence. Do not assume that an inquiry or an appointment request alone satisfies the requirements for a timely charge.
Is every hostile workplace legally actionable?
No. Unpleasant conduct or a difficult manager does not automatically create an unlawful hostile work environment. Employment-discrimination law generally requires a connection to a protected characteristic and conduct meeting the applicable legal standard. Sexual harassment can also involve demands tied to job benefits or threats. Document specific conduct, dates, witnesses, and reports instead of relying only on a general description of unfairness.
Can my employer retaliate after I report discrimination?
Applicable employment laws prohibit retaliation for protected activity, but whether a particular report is protected depends on the facts and law. A firing, demotion, or other harmful response may warrant review. Preserve your original complaint and records of what changed afterward. Continue to meet lawful workplace requirements, and seek advice promptly if you believe the employer is punishing you for asserting protected rights.
What should I bring to an employment-law consultation?
Bring the documents you lawfully possess that explain your concern: a timeline, offer letter, relevant policies, pay records, performance reviews, messages, complaint records, and termination or agency notices. Do not access restricted employer systems or take confidential records you are not entitled to keep. You can seek a consultation even if some documents are missing. Ask about next steps, deadlines, fees, and expenses.
Read our guide to wrongful termination in Texas for more information to discuss with your attorney.
Call Our El Paso Employment Law Attorneys Today
Anyone who is facing harassment or discrimination in the workplace should not hesitate to report the violation and seek justice for their mistreatment. At Chavez Law Firm, our El Paso employment law attorneys can help you bring your employer’s illegal actions to light and seek compensation for any emotional and financial damages you may have suffered. With more than 20 years of combined experience, your case is sure to be in excellent hands.
Contact us to review your legal options and get started towards building your case.
Client Reviews
“Chavez Law. Very professional, friendly and effective personal attention by Mr Chavez. He won my case and we settled out of Court for a very considerable amount. Highly recommended.”
– Douglas B.