Friday, July 8, 2011

What is Constructive Discharge in employment law?

 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT: CONSTRUCTIVE DISCHARGE 
   How does it differ from an ordinary firing?

 
A constructive discharge occurs when an employer makes conditions so intolerable that an employee reasonably feels compelled to resign. See Baylor University v. Coley, 221 S.W.3d 599, 604-05 (Tex. 2007), citing Pennsylvania State Police v. Suders, 542 U.S. 129, 141, 124 S.Ct. 2342, 2351, 159 L.Ed.2d 204 (2004); Hammond v. Katy Independent School District, 821 S.W.2d 174, 177 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1991, no writ).
Many factors are relevant to the issue, including evidence of badgering, harassment, or humiliation by the employer calculated to encourage the employee's resignation. Davis v. City of Grapevine, 188 S.W.3d 748, 766 (Tex.App.--Fort Worth 2006, pet. denied).
SOURCE: El Paso Court of Appeals - 08-09-00007-CV - 7/6/11 
RELATED LEGAL TERMS: employment disputes, wrongful termination, whistleblower claims, discrimination, retaliation by employer


2 comments:

  1. Does the employer's activity have to be aimed to cause the employee to quit? I would imagine not, but what is the answer?

    ReplyDelete
  2. If an employer reduces your hours and your pay so that you are making half of what you used to, does that count?

    ReplyDelete