A coworker told me our boss ( business owner/operator) had said he might have to let me go.

12 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 4:32PM UTC

   I would check with your labor board depending on the reason for dismissal

2. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 6:12PM UTC

   Unfortunately Texas is an at will employment state. Talk to an attorney ASAP.

3. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 7:31PM UTC

   But why automatically jump to "talk to an attorney ASAP"? Beyond what OP has been told by a secondary source, it seems like she knows absolutely nothing. And as you mention, this is an at-will state.

4. AnonymousNovember 23,2024 at 1:12PM UTC

   My thoughts exactly! Why does this board always assume the default position of calling an attorney?! The OP has provided zero context about her role & performance for anyone to give advice on seeking legal counsel. Who on earth contacts an attorney over workplace gossip. Stop this madness!

5. Adriane1November 22,2024 at 6:26PM UTC

   Texas has workers comp. If they let you go without 3 write-ups on the same topic then you can claim it. It is only about 70% but you can look for work until it ends. Also if your role changes and there is not sufficient training for the new role, then they let you go; you can claim workers comp. At will states have this and it falls back on the company they have to pay the funds for WC insurance. It goes up for the company when there is a lot of arbitrations in the company it can cause the company to fail because of legal costs. Good luck!

6. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 6:44PM UTC

   Um...I think this would fall under unemployment not workers comp, unless TX does their own thing with workers comp.

7. Mo FNovember 24,2024 at 2:47PM UTC

   Thank you, that is what I was trying to find out.

8. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 7:08PM UTC

   Don't understand the connection from being fired to WC on this. They don't mention they may be fired due to submitting WC. Legal ramifications? I don't align on that, what makes you think it's illegal to let you go? Maybe you've not shared enough, IMO.

9. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 9:35PM UTC

   First of all, I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Secondly, it is very inappropriate your co-worker shared information that you do not know is valid. And more inappropriate if the boss/owner shared this with a colleague. Get that great resume of yours ready and apply to everything you can and leave. If they let you go, you should have the right to get unemployment, but do find an employment attorney (google best employment attorneys in your town) and seek counsel. Many offer free consultations and also, some states like the one I am in offers free legal counsel. Look that up too to see if your state has that. Give your notice and leave. It is not worth your mental health to work in an environment where this is shared with you. Sounds like this owner/boss person has no clue about employee relations.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 23,2024 at 10:02PM UTC

    Your comment: " Give your notice and leave."

    If she's in TX and quits, she most likely will not be eiligible for unemployment. Not everyone can afford to just quit - especially in a job market like this where it's taking jobseekers a long time to land a new position.

    And her co-worker may have been trying to give her a heads up that she may be laid off so that she wasn't blindsided and could start looking for a new job while she still has a paycheck.

11. AnonymousNovember 23,2024 at 10:08PM UTC

    Should have been more clear. To find a job first then give a 2-week notice.

12. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 23,2024 at 2:04AM UTC

    Unless you're a member of a union, there are probably no legal implications. If I remember correctly, TX is an at will state and they can pretty much fire whenever they want.