Mississippi Employee Handbook Requirements

Mississippi has the most minimal state employment regulatory framework in the nation. The state has no state minimum wage law, no state anti-discrimination employment statute of general applicability, no mandatory paid sick leave, and no requirement for meal or rest breaks. Mississippi is a strict at-will employment state with very limited judicial exceptions, and has preempted local governments from enacting employment regulations that exceed state or federal requirements.

In the absence of a comprehensive state anti-discrimination law, Mississippi employers with 15 or more employees must comply with federal Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and other federal statutes. Mississippi does have a limited Equal Pay Act and some protections for military service members. The state's workers' compensation law applies to employers with five or more employees (and any number of employees in hazardous occupations). Mississippi also enacted the Employment Protection Act in 2014, which provides whistleblower protections for employees who report suspected illegal activity.

Mississippi's economy is driven by manufacturing (automotive, furniture, and aerospace), agriculture (poultry, soybeans, cotton), healthcare, military installations, and energy. The state's lower cost of doing business attracts manufacturing and distribution operations. Employers should focus on robust federal compliance given the limited state-level framework, and should be particularly attentive to workplace safety given the prevalence of manufacturing and agricultural operations.