If you have recently lost a job in the oilfield or in some other field in Houston, Texas, you might be facing a range of new stressors. For example, you might be wondering how you’ll pay your bills, may be stressed by the idea of losing your health insurance, and may be wondering whether your termination was legal in the first place. The good news is that the law may provide a range of protections that can include continued health coverage, access to severance pay, and unemployment compensation. If you have lost your oilfield job in Houston, Texas Moore & Associates are employment lawyers who may be able to assist you with protecting your rights, and fight back if you have been wrongfully terminated.
Was My Termination Against the Law in Texas?
If you have been recently fired in Houston, you may be upset, shocked, and anxious about what your next steps should be. In general, employers are permitted to terminate workers at will. Most workers are considered “at will” employees, meaning that the employer can fire the worker at any point. However, there are certain circumstances where it may be against the law to terminate a worker. For example, if you have a contract with your employer that guarantees employment for a period of time and your employer terminates the contract earlier than the terms dictate, you may have the right to seek compensation and damages for the time you would have otherwise worked. Another situation where termination may be unlawful is a situation where you were fired due to discriminatory practices. However, it can sometimes be tough to prove that you were fired for discriminatory reasons. It is important to preserve communications and any complaints you may have filed with human resources. If, for example, you faced sexual harassment and were later fired, you may have a case for wrongful termination. You may want to speak to Moore & Associates, a Houston, Texas employment lawyer who may be able to help you sort out whether your termination was legal.
Finally, it is illegal for your employer to fire you for reporting sexual harassment or for reporting violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. If you believe you were fired for reporting your employer, you may have certain rights under the law. Furthermore, if you believe you were fired because you believe your employer was trying to avoid making a worker’s compensation claim, you may also have rights under the law. Contact Moore & Associates, a Houston, Texas employment lawyer today to learn more.
What Are My Rights When Being Fired in Houston, Texas?
If you have been fired in Houston, Texas, you have certain rights. For example, you have the right to receive your final paycheck. Under Texas law, if you were fired, your employer must pay you your final paycheck within six days after being fired. If you quit your job, however, your employer is only required to pay you in the next regularly scheduled pay period.
If you have a severance package in your contract, your employer must honor this contract. Not all employers have severance packages that guarantee severance pay, but many companies do. If you have been fired, re-read your employment contract and take a look at your company’s employee handbook. If severance is offered, you may need to reach out to your former company’s human resources. If after reaching out, you are still denied severance, consider speaking to an employment lawyer in Houston, Texas like Moore & Associates.
If you were employed, you may also have the right to continue your health coverage under COBRA. If you are being told that you are not employed, not entitled to continued health coverage, or if your severance contract is not being honored, Moore & Associates is an employment lawyer in Houston, Texas who may be able to help you.
Lost a Job? An Employment Lawyer in Houston May Be Able to Help You
Employers in Texas must follow certain procedures when firing employees. For example, they must honor all obligations to their former workers, must make sure that termination isn’t discriminatory or retaliatory, and may also be required to continue health insurance coverage for terminated employees. If you believe you are being fired for retaliatory reasons—for example, for trying to unionize, for standing up for your rights, or for making a report of a safety violation on the oilfield, you may have the right to fight back against your termination.
If you have questions about the nature of your termination and your rights, consider speaking to Moore & Associates, a Houston, Texas employment lawyer. Our firm may be able to help you. USAttorneys.com can connect you with Moore & Associates in Houston, Texas today.
