As an employee in Mississippi, you have rights. Coupled with those rights are responsibilities. Both are meant to make sure that work environments are safe and productive for everyone. Sometimes, though, things happen. An issue arises. If your rights are violated in any way or if an employee fails to uphold their obligations, you may have legal action to compensate for any damages you suffer.
But oftentimes, it's understanding whether or not you have a right to file a claim. Many people fail to file a claim because they fear for their job. These are things you should not have to worry about. What's more, you should be compensated when you suffer damages. At Watson & Norris, PLLC, our employment law attorney based in Mississippi handles a wide range of employment issues. Contact us at 601-968-0000 to schedule a free consultation and to know whether or not you can take legal action for harm suffered by an employer or co-worker.
Do Employees in Mississippi Have Rights in the Workplace?
All employees have basic rights. What those rights are can vary by state, but there are some that are the same across the board. Employees have a right to work in an environment where they are not discriminated against or harassed due to their race, religion, national origin, age, disability, color, sex, or genetic information.
As an employee in Mississippi, you also have the right to:
- Minimum wage
- Overtime
- Proper classification of your position
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), you also have the right to:
- Safe and healthful workplaces
- Protective equipment free of charge, where appropriate
- Information (like chemical hazards, workplace injuries, exposure data, etc.)
- Training, where appropriate
- File a complaint with OSHA to request an on-site OSHA inspection
Federal and state laws establish rights and implement systems to address violations of rights. Always speak to an employment law lawyer in Mississippi if you work in the area and believe your rights have been violated.
Am I an At-Will Employee in Mississippi?
An at-will employee is an employee that is free to leave their place of employment at any time for any reason, or for no reason whatsoever. Most states recognize at-will employment, although there may be special state-specific rules that govern the process.
If, however, you signed a written employment contract, you are more than likely not an at-will employee.
Can my Employer in Mississippi Fire Me for Any Reason?
Whether or not your employer can fire you for any reason, or no reason at all, depends on whether or not you are an at-will employee. If you are an at-will employee, your employer can fire you for any reason except where it is unlawful. For example, they are not allowed to fire you due to your race, sex, religion, or disability.
If, however, you signed a written employment contract, the employer may only be able to terminate your position based on the terms and conditions of the contract.
Again, as this is an area of law that can be state-specific, it is best to speak with an attorney if you believe you were illegally terminated.
How Do I Know If I Have a Wrongful Termination Claim in Mississippi?
Determining whether or not your termination was wrongful can be a complicated task, and the rules for determination vary by state. Most at-will employees can be terminated without reason. Wrongful termination is different from unfair termination. Wrongful indicates the employer did something unlawfully.
Are you a member of a protected class? For instance, what is your ethnicity, national origin, religion, or gender? Are you pregnant? Are you over the age of 40? Do you have a disability? If fired because you are a member of one of these classes, you may have been wrongfully terminated. The next task is to be able to prove it.
On the other hand, if you are terminated because your boss favors another person, there were personality conflicts, or you posted something on social media that your boss did not like, these things do not constitute wrongful termination.
Do I Have to Work Overtime in Mississippi?
In short, the answer is yes, your employer may require that you work overtime. Each state deals with mandatory overtime in its own way, but the federal guidelines from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) do state that it is allowed. The employer must pay no less than 1.5 times the regular rate of pay. There are no limits to the number of hours an employee over the age of 16 can work in one week.
Can I Take a Rest or Meal Break during Work Hours in Mississippi?
The FLSA does not require meal or rest breaks. As such, their availability really depends on state laws, and those vary widely. For meal breaks that last longer than 30 minutes, most employers do not pay for that time period. For rest breaks of less than 20 minutes, most employers will pay for that time period.
A Family Member is Sick and I Need to Take Time off Work to Care for Them. Does my Employer Have to Save My Position and Let Me Take a Leave of Absence?
The answer to this question depends on a few different factors. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does provide employees with up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave per year. This time is uncompensated, and there are several requirements that must be met, including that the employee must have worked with that employer for at least 12 months.
There are other requirements, too. Plus, the FMLA only applies to companies of a certain size (50 or more employees).
If I Quit or am Terminated, What Happens If the Employer Withholds My Last Paycheck in Mississippi?
You must receive payment in full for the time that you worked. In some states, your employer must also pay you for any accrued vacation days.
When you receive your last paycheck depends on your state. Some states require the last paycheck to be delivered immediately, other states require the issuance of the paycheck within a few days, and other states allow up to 21 days.
A month, however, to receive your last paycheck is too long. If you believe your employer has wrongfully withheld your last paycheck, you should contact your state's labor department or even the federal labor department. An attorney can assist you with this as well.
I Complained at Work about Discrimination, and my Employer Retaliated. What Can I Do in Mississippi?
Your employer cannot legally retaliate against you for complaining about work-related discrimination. However, they may still discipline you or terminate your employment for reasons unrelated to the complaint.
If you feel like your employer is retaliating against you for the discrimination complaint, you should first speak with a supervisor or a human resources representative. If this does not resolve the issue, you can address your concern with your state's fair employment agency or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). An attorney can also advise you on your best course of action in these or other situations.
What is a Whistleblower Claim?
When an employee suspects that there is misconduct or fraud occurring within their place of employment, and they report this activity, they are known as a whistleblower. When this occurs, employers often seek to retaliate against the employee by having them fired or transferred. Because of this, federal and state laws have been enacted to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers.
A whistleblower claim is a formal complaint exposing or describing certain types of alleged fraud or misconduct.
What happens if I file bankruptcy or the defendant files bankruptcy while my lawsuit is pending?
The are several times where our clients have to file bankruptcy either shortly before their lawsuit is file and during the litigation. If you have a bankruptcy pending it is very important to disclose that bankruptcy to your lawsuit so they can take the appropriate measures to make sure it does not effect the outcome of your lawsuit. Bankruptcy issues in litigation.
Contact an Employment Law Attorney in Mississippi Today
If you believe your employer has violated your rights under federal or state law, our employment law lawyer in Mississippi can review your case and advise you of any legal action you can (and should) take. At Watson & Norris, PLLC, we uphold the rights and interests of our clients and work toward making sure employers do the same. Contact us using our online form or call us at 601-968-0000 to schedule a free consultation today.