When considering employment in Mississippi, you should be sure to browse the employment laws for the state that are in place to protect an employee while at work. Many of the employment laws in Mississippi are actually federal employment laws, while a few details of these laws are determined at the state level. It's important to not only know but also to fully understand the laws that are most pertinent to you.
It is a good idea to first find out what a company's policy is on medical leave when seeking employment in Mississippi. Mississippi uses the Family Medical Leave Act, which requires employers to provide three months of time off to employees to care for a serious health condition of themselves or their families. The time off is unpaid, but guarantees the job, benefits, and wage remain the same upon return from this absence.
Employment in Mississippi guarantees that that if an employee feels they have been wrongfully terminated, the state's employment laws protect the employee. Wrongful termination includes being fired based on discrimination against such characteristics as age, race, religion, and pregnancy.
Employers are not allowed to use these characteristics as means for deciding promotions or wages, either. Mississippi does not have a minimum wage law, so the minimum wage in Mississippi is actually the federal minimum wage; currently $5.15 per hour. Employees have the right to receive promotions and raises based upon their work and experience, and if an employee has reason to believe they have been discriminated against at work, they should seek legal counsel.
When an employee has been released from employment in Mississippi for reasons beyond their control, Mississippi has unemployment benefits in place. Under state law, employers are required to pay the cost of unemployment insurance. Employees must qualify for these benefits in order to receive them after leaving a job. Qualifications include, but are not limited to being able to work, being available to work, and having earned enough money at the job prior to termination.
Also, Mississippi has the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, in place, which allows employees and their family members to continue to receive their health insurance benefits for up to 18 months after an employee loses their job. This act also allows for family members to receive the health insurance benefits if the employee becomes eligible for Medicare.