Dallas Employment Lawyer Blog
Dallas Employment Trail Lawyer Ellie Johnston
October is here—pumpkins on porches, costumes in the stores, and a chill in the air. But for many Texas employees, the real scare isn’t haunted houses or ghost stories. It’s the fear of speaking up at work. When employees exercise their rights—whether requesting a disability accommodation or reporting unfair treatment—they too often face retaliation. And that’s more frightening than anything you’ll find in a corn maze.
In this post, we’ll look at how disability rights and workplace retaliation intersect, what protections the law gives Texas employees, and what steps you can take if your employer crosses the line.
Disability Rights: Not a Favor, a Legal Obligation
For employees with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Texas Labor Code guarantee the right to reasonable accommodations. Accommodations can include modified schedules, ergonomic equipment, or temporary reassignment of non-essential duties. These rights exist so that employees with disabilities can perform their jobs effectively—not as a “perk” or special treatment.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) makes it clear that employers must engage in what’s called the interactive process when an accommodation is requested. This means having a real conversation with the employee about what adjustments would help, rather than dismissing the request or dragging their feet.
Unfortunately, too many employers treat accommodation requests like an inconvenience. That’s where things can turn downright spooky. Some employees notice that after requesting leave or accommodations, they start receiving sudden write-ups, negative evaluations, or hostile comments from supervisors.
Retaliation: The Most Common Workplace “Monster”
Retaliation is the most common form of workplace discrimination reported to the EEOC. It happens when an employer punishes an employee for asserting their rights. That could mean demotion, discipline, termination, or even more subtle forms of mistreatment that create a hostile work environment.
Here are some examples of retaliation we often see in our practice:
•An employee requests FMLA leave for a medical condition, and suddenly their job duties are reassigned, cutting off opportunities for advancement.
•A worker complains about harassment and then is written up for “performance” issues that never came up before.
•An employee reports unsafe working conditions, only to be moved to the least desirable shifts.
In each case, the retaliation isn’t just unfair—it’s illegal.
Why October Is the Perfect Time to Talk About Fear at Work
Halloween might be about make-believe scares, but workplace retaliation creates real fear. Employees often worry: “If I speak up, will I lose my job?” That fear is powerful, and employers sometimes count on it to keep workers silent.
But here’s the truth: the law is on your side. If you’ve been punished for requesting accommodations, reporting discrimination, or exercising any workplace right, you may have a strong claim under both federal and Texas law.
What Texas Employees Can Do
If you think you’re facing retaliation or disability discrimination, here are some steps to protect yourself:
1.Document Everything – Keep a log of requests, conversations, and changes in treatment. Save emails, texts, and performance reviews.
2.Follow Company Policy – If there’s a complaint process, use it. This shows you gave your employer the chance to do the right thing.
3.Know Your Rights – Federal and Texas law both protect you from retaliation for asserting legal rights. You do not have to accept mistreatment as the price of speaking up.
4.Contact an Employment Lawyer – Retaliation and disability discrimination claims can be complex. An employment attorney can help you navigate deadlines, preserve evidence, and hold your employer accountable.
Don’t Let Retaliation Haunt Your Career
No one should feel like they’re walking through a haunted house every time they go to work. Disability discrimination and workplace retaliation aren’t just bad business practices—they’re violations of the law.
If you’re a Dallas employee dealing with retaliation or denied accommodations, you don’t have to face it alone. At Rob Wiley, P.C., we help workers stand up to employers who try to silence them.