Employment Law Guide: Know Your Rights in Round Rock, Texas

Introduction: Why Round Rock Workers Need a Local Employment Law Guide

Few issues affect a person’s livelihood more directly than the fairness of the workplace. Whether you clock in at Dell Technologies’ global headquarters, serve guests at Kalahari Resorts, work for the Round Rock Independent School District, or commute to Austin’s fast-growing tech corridor, understanding texas employment law is essential. Texas follows a strong at-will doctrine, which means that—unless limited by statute or an express agreement—an employer can terminate employees for almost any reason or none at all. Yet state and federal statutes still provide powerful protection against discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages, retaliation, and unsafe working conditions.

This comprehensive guide highlights the rights of employees in Round Rock, explains the most common legal violations in Central Texas, outlines critical deadlines, and shows how to enforce your claims through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Civil Rights Division (CRD), or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Throughout, we cite only authoritative sources, including the Texas Labor Code, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and controlling court decisions from Texas and federal courts.

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Understanding Your Employment Rights in Texas

1. The At-Will Employment Rule—and Its Limits

Texas Labor Code § 21.051 makes it illegal for an employer to discharge or discriminate against an employee because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability. Likewise, Title VII and the ADA prohibit similar conduct nationwide. Despite these laws, Texas is an at-will state. In Sabine Pilot Serv., Inc. v. Hauck, 687 S.W.2d 733 (Tex. 1985), the Texas Supreme Court confirmed that an at-will employee may be fired for any reason except for refusing to commit an illegal act. Other exceptions include:

• Statutory Retaliation Claims (e.g., Texas Labor Code Chapter 21 retaliation provisions; FLSA retaliation, 29 U.S.C. § 215).

• Public Policy Protections for military service (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act – USERRA).

• Contractual Carve-Outs through individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements.

2. Protected Classes and Activities

Under both the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (Texas Labor Code Chapter 21) and federal law, employers with at least 15 employees are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, disability, religion, sex (including pregnancy and LGBTQ+ status per Bostock v. Clayton County, 140 S. Ct. 1731 (2020)), national origin, or age (40+). Retaliation for opposing discrimination or participating in an investigation is also unlawful.

3. Wage and Hour Basics

Round Rock workers are covered by the FLSA, which sets the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr) and requires overtime (1.5× regular rate) for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. The Texas Payday Act, Texas Labor Code §§ 61.001–61.095, provides an administrative path for recovering unpaid wages through the TWC.

4. Leave and Accommodation Rights

Texas does not mandate paid sick leave statewide, but employees may have rights under:

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – up to 12 weeks unpaid, job-protected leave for eligible workers.

• ADA Reasonable Accommodation – employers must engage in an interactive process to accommodate qualified disabilities unless it causes undue hardship.

5. Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) applies in Texas. Employees may file a complaint with OSHA or contact the TWC’s Workplace Safety Division for training and resources.

Common Employment Law Violations in Texas

1. Discrimination and Harassment

According to the EEOC’s 2023 statistics, nearly 8,000 workplace discrimination charges originated in Texas, with race and sex discrimination leading the list. In Round Rock’s tech sector, gender-based pay disparities and age discrimination during layoffs are frequent complaints.

2. Wage Theft and Misclassification

The Texas Tribune has reported that tens of thousands of Texas workers file claims under the Payday Act each year. Common tactics include classifying employees as independent contractors, refusing to pay overtime, or making off-the-clock work a condition of employment.

3. Retaliation

Retaliation is the most common charge filed with both the EEOC and the TWC-CRD. Examples include reducing hours after a safety complaint or terminating an employee who requests ADA accommodations.

4. Wrongful Termination

Because of at-will employment, wrongful termination cases hinge on proving a prohibited reason—such as race discrimination or whistleblower retaliation under Sabine Pilot. Successful plaintiffs may recover reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, and attorneys’ fees.

5. Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Disputes

Under Texas Business & Commerce Code § 15.50, post-employment restraints must be reasonable in time, geography, and scope, and must be part of an otherwise enforceable agreement. Courts in the Western District of Texas (which includes Williamson County) often scrutinize tech-sector non-competes involving Dell and other local firms.

Texas Legal Protections & Employment Laws

1. Key Statutes

• Texas Labor Code Chapter 21 (Texas Commission on Human Rights Act) – state antidiscrimination statute.

• Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. §§ 201-219) – wage and hour protections.

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – prohibits discrimination in employment.

• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – protects workers 40 and older.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – rights for qualified individuals with disabilities.

• Texas Payday Act – administrative wage recovery.

2. Statutes of Limitations

• TWC-CRD Discrimination: 180 days from the adverse action (Texas Labor Code § 21.202).

• EEOC Discrimination: 300 days in Texas because the TWC is a deferral agency (42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)).

• FLSA Wage Claims: 2 years (3 years if the violation is willful) – 29 U.S.C. § 255.

• Texas Payday Act: 180 days from the date wages became due (Texas Labor Code § 61.051).

• Sabine Pilot Wrongful Discharge: 2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003).

3. Available Remedies

• Back Pay and Front Pay

• Reinstatement

• Compensatory and Punitive Damages (capped by employer size under 42 U.S.C. § 1981a and Texas Labor Code § 21.2585)

• Civil Penalties and Liquidated Damages (e.g., FLSA double damages for willful wage violations)

• Reasonable Attorneys’ Fees and Costs

Steps to Take After Workplace Violations

1. Document Everything

Keep emails, text messages, schedules, pay stubs, performance evaluations, and a written log of events. Texas courts give significant weight to contemporaneous documentation.

2. Follow Internal Policies

Most employers in Round Rock maintain anti-harassment and wage-complaint procedures. Notifying HR preserves evidence and can reduce damages if the employer responds appropriately (Faragher-Ellerth defense under Title VII).

3. File Administrative Charges Promptly

• Discrimination or Harassment: File a Charge of Discrimination with either the TWC-CRD or the EEOC within 180/300 days. You may dual-file so that one charge is recognized by both agencies.

• Unpaid Wages: Submit a Wage Claim to the TWC within 180 days or pursue an FLSA suit in federal court.

• Safety Complaints: Report imminent dangers to OSHA’s Austin Area Office (within Regional Office in Dallas) or submit online.

4. Keep Deadlines in Sight

Missing a statute of limitations will almost always bar your claim. Consult counsel early to preserve evidence and meet filing deadlines.

5. Consider Mediation or Settlement

Both the EEOC and TWC offer free mediation. In the Western District of Texas, judges often enter scheduling orders that require early alternative dispute resolution.

When to Seek Legal Help in Texas

1. Complexity and Power Imbalance

Employers in the greater Austin-Round Rock metro area regularly retain experienced counsel. If you face termination, demotion, or retaliation, an employment lawyer round rock texas can evaluate the merits of your case and negotiate severance.

2. Calculating Damages

Statutory caps, mitigation of damages, and labor-market variables make case valuation tricky. Attorneys use payroll data and vocational experts to estimate front pay—particularly relevant in high-salary tech positions at companies like Dell or Emerson.

3. Navigating Federal vs. State Courts

Discrimination cases may proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division) or in Williamson County state court. Removal, venue, and arbitration clauses all affect strategy.

4. Ethical and Licensing Considerations

Only attorneys licensed by the State Bar of Texas may provide legal advice or represent clients in Texas courts. Verify your lawyer’s disciplinary history through the Bar’s public lookup tool.

Local Resources & Next Steps

1. Government Agencies Serving Round Rock

Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division – file discrimination charges and wage claims. EEOC Charge Filing Portal – dual-file federal discrimination charges. Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area – Round Rock Career Center – job placement, training, and unemployment assistance. OSHA Austin Area Office – workplace safety complaints.

2. Courts and Forums

• Williamson County District Courts – state wrongful-termination and contract suits.

• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (Austin Division) – federal discrimination and FLSA claims.

• AAA or JAMS – private arbitration if required by employment agreement (subject to enforceability under Texas and federal law).

3. Community Organizations

• Equal Justice Center (Austin) – low-income wage and workplace rights representation.

• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) – free legal services for qualifying individuals in Williamson County.

• Round Rock Chamber – networking and employer resources, including best-practice HR seminars.

Conclusion

You do not have to navigate round rock workplace rights alone. Texas law and federal statutes give employees real leverage—if you meet mandatory deadlines, preserve evidence, and pursue claims strategically. When in doubt, consult a qualified attorney who focuses on texas wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage disputes.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and their application varies based on specific facts. You should consult a licensed Texas employment attorney about your particular situation.

If you experienced workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, or wage violations, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and employment consultation.