Houston Worker Rights Under Sabine Pilot

Houston residents should know that Texas is an employment-at-will state, meaning that, in most cases, employers can terminate employees for almost any reason. However, one exception to this is the Sabine Pilot doctrine, which protects employees from being wrongfully terminated due to their refusal to participate in an illegal act. Sabine Pilot protects workers throughout Texas. If you believe you were wrongfully fired, it may be time for you to learn more about Houston worker rights under Sabine Pilot. Don’t let wrongful termination hinder your success—call an employment lawyer today.

An employer can fire an at-will employee at almost any time for practically any reason. All states, except Montana, are at-will employment states. There are, however, a few exceptions to this. For example, it is illegal to fire someone based on discriminatory practices or his or her refusal to do something illegal. Fortunately, there are protections to which all employees can refer.

If you are in Texas, it is vital that you know your Houston worker rights under Sabine Pilot. If you are unsure if your firing was illegal or not, it may be worth speaking to an experienced employment lawyer. The attorneys at Carabin Shaw are experienced in dealing with Houston employment law and can help you build and file your case.

The Sabine Pilot claim comes from a 1985 Texas Supreme Court case. In this case, Sabine Pilot, the employer, asked employee Michael Hauk to pump bilges from boats into the water. Hauk knew this act was illegal, so he refused to carry it out. When he refused, Sabine Pilot fired him. The court ruled in favor of Hauk, which set the precedent that employers cannot terminate employees for refusing to participate in illegal activities.

Understanding Houston worker rights under Sabine Pilot is essential for employees because the doctrine protects all at-will employees in Texas. Sabine Pilot protects workers by making it so employers cannot force employees to perform illegal activities or retaliate against them by refusing to do so. If you are in the Houston area and have been terminated as a retaliation, Houston employment lawyers are eager to hear your case.

Employment law typically deals with the integrity of firings and protections for workers. As an employee, it is good to know some employment law basics. Wrongful termination is when an employee’s termination goes against any local, state, or federal law. Any termination that goes against the Sabine Pilot would be considered to be wrongful termination. If you are unsure about whether your cases fits these parameters, a lawyer can help determine the legality of your firing.

It is crucial that Houston residents understand the Houston worker rights under Sabine Pilot. Essentially, if you have been asked to do something illegal (like forgery, illegal dumpings, account fraud) and were fired for refusing to do so, you may be protected under the Sabine Pilot doctrine. The Houston employment lawyers at Carabin Shaw are trained in managing employment law cases like this and want to take yours on.

If you believe you have suffered from a wrongful termination in Houston, you may be eligible to sue your employer. Our team of Carabin Shaw lawyers will likely encourage you to request to see your personnel file and make notes about your dismissal. If we believe you have a good case under the Sabine Pilot doctrine, we will do everything in our power to fight on your behalf.

If you were asked to go against standard practices during your employment, contact an employment lawyer with Carabin Shaw today. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means that we will not charge you unless we win your case. We also promise that your initial consultation will be free of charge because we want to respect your time.

Call us toll-free, day or night, at 800-862-1260. Our attorneys are standing by, ready to help.