Employees in Texas have a host of legal rights. For example, they are entitled to be paid the minimum wage. They are also entitled to work in an environment free from criminality and unsafe practices.
Like most other states, Texas follows the “at-will” employment doctrine. Essentially, this means that employees can be dismissed without notice or reason. At the same time, employees can also leave whenever they like.
Nonetheless, workers cannot be dismissed for asserting their legal rights. This is called retaliation. Here’s how retaliation may occur.
Losing your job
As mentioned, workers may be fired for asserting their legal rights. This is one of the more common forms of workplace retaliation. However, some employers don’t take such an obvious route.
If your hours are suddenly slashed after raising a legitimate grievance, this is also a form of retaliation. The same can be said if you lose benefits, bonuses, vacation leave and overtime opportunities.
Being reassigned
Employers may take even more subtle steps to retaliate against you after raising a grievance. This often happens because employers know that firing you or slashing your benefits would be too obvious.
Instead, you may be reassigned to a different work location and role. Your tasks may change from being important to being menial. You may end up working alone for long periods, away from the rest of the workforce.
Any form of adverse treatment based solely on raising a legitimate legal grievance is retaliation. This is not something you have to put up with. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.