Can I file for TWC benefits due to hostile work environment after sexual harassment?

Yes, you might qualify for Texas unemployment if you can prove constructive discharge - which means conditions were so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. Document EVERYTHING. Keep a journal with dates, times, exactly what was said/done, who witnessed it. Email yourself these notes so they're timestamped. Report the ongoing harassment to HR in writing and keep copies. Texas is an at-will state, but the TWC does recognize hostile work environment as "good cause" to quit in some situations. But you need solid documentation.

same thing happend to me last year!!!! i quit and applied for benefits and they DENIED me said i didnt have good cause to quit!!! fight it hard if u decide to leave

This is exactly what's considered "good cause connected with the work" to quit under TWC rules. However, you need to take some steps BEFORE quitting: 1. Report the current harassment to management or HR IN WRITING (email or formal complaint). Keep copies of everything. 2. Give your employer a reasonable chance to fix the situation. 3. If they don't resolve it, document that failure. 4. When filing with TWC, you'll need to show you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. A key point: If the company fired the original harasser but now your boss is creating a hostile environment, that's a NEW issue that requires its own documentation and reporting process. The fact they handled the first issue correctly doesn't excuse the current problem.

my cousins husband works at twc and he says they deny almost everyone the first time no matter what. its like they hope people will just give up and not appeal. definitely save all texts emails everything!!!!

I went through something similar in 2024 and managed to get benefits, but it took persistence. The key thing TWC looked for was that I had given my employer a reasonable opportunity to fix the situation before I quit. I filed a written complaint, waited two weeks with no resolution, then resigned specifically citing the hostile work environment. One thing that really helped me was getting through to an actual TWC agent when filing my claim so I could explain my situation fully. I kept hitting busy signals for days until someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh that explains how it works. Worth it to get personalized guidance on how to properly document your case.

IMPORTANT: Have you talked to an employment lawyer yet? Many will do free consultations. You might have a case for hostile work environment that's worth more than unemployment benefits. Sexual harassment + company not protecting you from continued harassment could be a legal claim.

One more critical point about TWC claims for hostile work environment: when you file, you MUST specify that you quit due to "good cause connected with work" and then clearly explain the harassment. Don't just say you quit because of stress or personal reasons. Be very specific that you reported sexual harassment, the company's response was inadequate, and the environment became hostile. The exact wording matters tremendously for how your claim is processed.