Discrimination At Work
Labor Code 21.202 — 180 days to file, 300 for sexual harassment
A Texas employer commits an unlawful employment practice by refusing to hire, discharging, or otherwise discriminating in pay or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin or age, or by limiting, segregating or classifying workers in a way that deprives them of opportunities. Retaliating against someone for opposing a discriminatory practice, filing a charge or complaint, or taking part in an investigation is also unlawful.
An employer for this chapter generally is one engaged in an industry affecting commerce with 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year.
| The step | The deadline |
|---|---|
| The stepA written, sworn complaint to the commission | The deadlineNo later than the 180th day after the practice, or the 300th day for sexual harassment |
| The stepA civil action, after a notice of the right to sue | The deadlineWithin 60 days after the notice is received |
| The stepAny civil action under the subchapter | The deadlineNo later than the second anniversary of the date the complaint was filed |
The commission dismisses an untimely complaint. A complaint states the practice, the facts including date, place and circumstances, and enough to identify the employer, and may be amended to cure technical defects.
Sources for this section (7)
- Labor Code 21.051 — Discrimination by employer
- Labor Code 21.202 — Statute of limitations for a complaint
- Labor Code 21.055 — Retaliation
- Labor Code 21.002 — Definitions for employment discrimination, including employer
- Labor Code 21.254 — Civil action by complainant
- Labor Code 21.256 — Statute of limitations for a civil action
- Labor Code 21.201 — Filing of complaint
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.