Vacation

What is the name of your state? Texas

After 5 years of employment, an individual earns 3 weeks vacation time. I was fired with 5 weeks "to go" at reaching the 5 year mark. Is vacation time ever pro-rated?

That's typically entirely a matter of company policy. I can tell you that the policy I've had is to pay pro-rated vacation out when an employee resigns in good standing and gives two weeks notice of his/her leaving; it's not paid when someone quits without notice or is fired for poor job performance or misconduct.

Is vacation time EVER pro-rated? Yes, it is, sometimes, if company policy permits it or state law requires it.

But in the absence of a state law to that effect (and Texas does NOT have such a law) it is entirely up to the company whether to do so or not.