There are two ways that your employer can terminate your employment relationship: firing and laying off. The end result is the same, i.e., you lose your job. What is different is the rationale behind each.
U.S. News and World Report explains what the difference is between laying off and firing and which may apply in your case.
Laying off
When the company you work for lays you off, it means that the company has made changes on its end and bears responsibility for its decision to terminate your employment. In other words, laying off is not a punishment for something that you have done wrong. It means that the company is either no longer able to continue your position or, for whatever reason, has decided not to.
Firing
When a company fires you, it means that it has determined that you have done something wrong and the only recourse is to terminate your employment. Firing may occur because the company believes that you have committed one major transgression of its rules, such as stealing something belonging to the company. However, it can also happen because you violated a less serious rule repeatedly. For example, if you repeatedly came in late to work despite repeated warnings to be on time, it could be grounds for firing.
Texas is an at-will employment state, meaning that your company does not necessarily have to show a reason for firing you. However, a company’s reasons for firing employees are not always legal. If the firing occurred because you exercised rights, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim or reporting sexual harassment, the law may consider it wrongful termination.
