Refusal to Perform an Illegal Act
In Texas, it is unlawful for an employer to discharge an employee in retaliation for the employee refusing to commit an illegal act. This type of claim is often referred to as a “Sabine Pilot” claim because the first case to recognize this exception to the employment-at-will doctrine involved a pilot on the Sabine river who was discharged after he refused his employer’s directions to dump pollution into the water. These wrongful termination claims are often very complicated and, if you are involved in one or are contemplating filing one, we encourage you to use an Austin employment attorney who has substantial knowledge and experience in this area. We do. Throughout more than two decades, we have represented clients with many such claims.
What We Can Do If You Are An Employee
Unfortunately, some employers encourage their employees to commit acts that are illegal and, if the employee refuses, the employer fires or otherwise retaliates against him or her. The results can be devastating to the employee and his or her family. While it may sometimes be difficult to refuse to do what your employer demands, Texas law protects you from retaliation. If your employer retaliates against you for refusing to commit on illegal act, we urge you to contact an Austin employment lawyer that is knowledgeable and experienced in this area of the law. A good Austin employment lawyer can explain the law; advise you as to whether your employer has engaged in illegal conduct against you; advise you of your rights and options; intercede with your employer when appropriate; and aggressively prosecute your lawsuit if your case cannot be reasonably settled. We do all of these things and have done so for well over 20 years. We have been involved with many of theses cases for employees: for example, we have handled cases where an employer fired an employee after the employee refused to violate laws on pollution; where an employer discharged an employee after the employee refused to falsify records to send to the government; where an employer fired an employee after the employee refused to commit perjury; and where an employer fired an employee after the employee refused to haul an illegal and unsafe load on an 18-wheeler that endangered the public. We invite you to review the testimonials from some employees we have represented on employment matters. If you are an employee who would like to have an experienced and knowledgeable Austin employment attorney with a long track record of success for employees on your side, contact us.
What We Can Do If You Are An Employer
Hopefully, your business will never knowingly ask an employee to commit an act that is illegal. Given the complicated nature of some laws, you may not even be aware that an act could be illegal. If you have a concern whether conduct might be illegal, we can help. We can review your employment situation and make recommendations to minimize litigation risks. We also conduct internal workplace investigations if a complaint has been made, or a problem is suspected. We can represent you in lawsuits, arbitrations and mediation, and we handle almost any other employment issue you can imagine. We have been very successful in our representation of employers and we invite you to review the testimonials from several of the employers we have represented on employment matters. If you are an employer who would like to have an experienced and knowledgeable Austin employment attorney who has a long track record of success for employers on your side, contact us.