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Termination for Cause in Texas: What It Means and What You Can Do (2025 Guide)

Being fired is hard enough—but being told you were “terminated for cause” can make things feel even worse. What exactly does that mean? Can you fight it? And what happens to your benefits?

Let’s break it down.

What Is “Termination for Cause” in Texas?

In Texas, “termination for cause” means you were fired due to misconduct or a specific reason that justifies your employer ending the relationship immediately.

It’s not a layoff. It’s not “at-will” termination for no reason. It’s firing someone for doing something wrong.

Common reasons include:

• Repeated tardiness or absenteeism

• Violation of company policies

• Harassment or discrimination

• Theft or dishonesty

• Insubordination or refusal to perform duties

Employers often label terminations this way to protect themselves from liability or to avoid paying unemployment or severance.

How Does It Affect Unemployment?

This is a big one.

If you’re fired for cause, you may be denied unemployment benefits in Texas—especially if the cause involves:

• Misconduct

• Violation of policy

• Intentional wrongdoing

But not all terminations labeled “for cause” automatically disqualify you. If your employer can’t prove misconduct, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) might still approve your benefits.

Can You Challenge a Termination for Cause?

Absolutely.

If you believe your firing was:

• Based on false information

• Discriminatory or retaliatory

• Labeled as “for cause” without real evidence

You have the right to fight back.

You can:

• Appeal your unemployment denial

• File a complaint with the EEOC or TWC if discrimination is involved

• Consult a Texas employment lawyer to explore wrongful termination claims

Real-Life Example:

“Carlos” was fired for allegedly violating internet policy—but his supervisor never warned him or provided evidence. With legal help, Carlos appealed and won his unemployment case.

Do You Still Get Paid if Terminated for Cause?

Yes—up to a point.

In Texas, employers must pay you:

• All wages earned up to your last day

• Any unused vacation or PTO if it’s in your company policy

They don’t have to offer:

• Severance pay (unless contractually promised)

• A positive reference

• Continued benefits (except COBRA, if eligible)

Can You Sue for Being Fired for Cause?

It depends.

If your termination was truly justified, there’s usually no legal recourse. But if it was:

• Based on discrimination (race, gender, age, disability)

• Retaliation (for reporting harassment or safety issues)

• A breach of contract

Then you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

A Texas employment attorney can assess your situation and let you know what options you have.

How to Protect Yourself Going Forward

If you’re worried about being fired—or already have been—here are steps to protect yourself:

1. Request a written explanation of your termination

2. Gather documentation (emails, reviews, warnings, witness accounts)

3. File for unemployment anyway—let TWC decide

4. Consult an attorney if anything feels off or unfair

5. Avoid signing anything (like a severance or release) without legal review

The Lange Firm Can Help

At The Lange Firm, we help Texas workers who’ve been:

• Wrongfully terminated

• Falsely accused of misconduct

• Denied unemployment after being fired for cause

We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you fight back if you were treated unfairly.

Final Takeaway

“Termination for cause” isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of your next step.

If you were fired unfairly, don’t settle. Contact The Lange Firm today to find out how we can help you protect your rights, restore your reputation, and move forward.