Working in an at-will employment state means that your employer can terminate you at any time for almost any reason. However, certain federal and state laws prevent wrongful termination and protect workers in certain situations, especially if an employee is asked to perform illegal acts. Sabine Pilot and the Texas Whistleblower Act are two laws that protect Austin workers and their jobs. The Austin employment lawyers with Carabin Shaw are well versed in Texas employment law. They will be able to determine if you have faced unlawful termination or retaliation regarding Sabine Pilot or whistleblowing. If you were involved in a Sabine Pilot or whistleblower case, then you need a suitable lawyer, and it is worth connecting with an Austin attorney for Sabine Pilot and whistleblower cases.
Wrongful RetaliationRetaliation occurs when an employer punishes an employee. There are many forms of retaliation, including:
Fortunately, there are laws in place to protect Austin workers. Sabine Pilot and the Whistleblower Act are two acts that protect workers from wrongful retaliation, especially from termination. In Texas, you must be able to demonstrate that “you engaged in a protected activity, your employer took an adverse action, and there was a direct connection between the protected activity and the adverse reaction.” If you want to get the most out of your attorney, contacting a Carabin Shaw Austin attorney for Sabine Pilot and whistleblower cases will ensure that you are receiving the right kind of help for your case. Our lawyers will help you establish and prove this causal relationship.
Protections Under Sabine PilotSabine Pilot derived from a 1985 Texas Supreme Court Case. In this case, the employer, Sabine Pilot, asked an employee to perform an illegal activity. The employee knew the act was criminal, so he refused. After his refusal, Sabine Pilot fired him. The court then decided that his termination was illegal. This case set the precedent that employees cannot be fired or face retaliation for refusing to perform an illegal activity. The Sabine Pilot ruling protects all Texas workers and establishes limits for employers in an at-will employment state.
If this sounds similar to your situation, you can file a Sabine Pilot claim with one of our Austin employment lawyers. If you are a worker in Austin, Sabine Pilot protects you, and it is within your right to take advantage of it.
Texas Whistleblower ActAnother act integral to Austin employment law is the Texas Whistleblower Act, which passed in 1983. This act protects employees who file violations in good faith from adverse actions from the employer. The employee must be able to demonstrate the law violation objectively. To be protected under this act, the employee must have faced termination, suspension, or another negative personnel action.
If you believe your place of employment is violating any federal or state laws, you may be able to file a whistleblower complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Alternatively, if you submitted a whistleblower complaint and are facing retaliation, it may be time to speak to an attorney today. No worker should face retaliation for reporting legal or ethical violations against their employer. If your place of employment violates any OSHA laws, you may be eligible to file a complaint and be protected.
Finding the Right LawyerIf you have faced retaliation in the form of termination, demotion, denial of benefits, or salary reduction, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. For this, you need the right kind of lawyer. It would be to your benefit to hire an Austin attorney for Sabine Pilot and whistleblower cases. Not only will they understand the complexities of Austin employment law, but they will be able to determine whether or not you have the grounds to sue. If wrongful retaliation, such as termination, has derailed your life, you can get back on track by contacting a Carabin Shaw lawyer.
If you have faced unlawful retaliation, do not hesitate to speak to a wrongful termination lawyer in Austin, TX. Call Carabin Shaw toll-free at 800-862-1260 today.