City of El Paso v. Granados
Irene Granados, a former employee of the City of El Paso, initiated a lawsuit alleging sexual discrimination and retaliation after her employment was terminated on February 9, 2005. Following the Civil Service Commission upholding her termination on October 13, 2005, Granados filed a discrimination charge and subsequently an original petition. The City appealed an order denying its plea to the jurisdiction and motion for summary judgment, contending Granados failed to timely exhaust her administrative remedies by not filing a discrimination charge within 180 days of her termination notice. The appellate court determined that the 180-day limitation period commenced on February 9, 2005, the date Granados received notice of termination, and not on the date the Civil Service Commission affirmed it. Concluding that Granados's administrative claim was untimely, the court ruled that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the trial court’s order, granted the City's plea to the jurisdiction, and dismissed the case.