‘I did it my way’ is no excuse for poor performance

February 2026 employment law letter

Authors:

Michael P. Maslanka, UNT-Dallas College of Law

The Frank Sinatra song “My Way” popped into my head as I was reading a case from the Houston area, where an employee argued her pregnancy must be the reason for her termination because her performance was excellent (if she must say so herself). Although the song soared on the charts, her use of the concept flopped in court!

‘I did it my way’

Imagine Sinatra crooning away:

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I’ll say it clear

I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain

I’ve lived a life that’s full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

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