Companies doing business in Mississippi must ensure that their human resource policies do not violate Mississippi employment laws in order to avoid the stiff penalties that come from non-compliance. Workers in the state have legal recourse against their employers who ask the wrong questions during new hire interviews, show preference in assigning work and do not provide a safe, harassment-free work environment.

Require both managers and support staff in your human resource department to learn the statutes, which government agencies serve to enforce the laws and how federal and state courts are applying those regulations. Reliable sources for your company's Mississippi labor and employment law education and training program include:

1. Go straight to the statutes for unedited sources of MS employment law.

2. Consult the online published writings of legal professionals who analyze Mississippi labor laws and summarize recent cases.

3. Access blog commentaries on MS employer laws written by noted professionals in the field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find educational information about MS employment laws

Guarantee that your staff's educational program helps them shows them how to determine the state minimum wage, overtime compensation policy and the processes involved in defending against a workers' compensation claim. They should also be able to contact the staff at these agencies that can provide individual assistance.

I recommend: Mississippi.gov is the official source for businesses who need guidance on employee benefits and employment law. Justia.com allows you to locate the constitutional references on which MS employment laws are based. Access case law on Wolters Kluwer that provides you with the legal precedents for Mississippi employment regulations. Learn more about workers' compensation laws in Mississippi by accessing the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission website.

Learn how courts interpret MS labor laws by reading case law summaries

Ensure that the fundamentals your staff learns in any educational program on MS labor laws helps them find out what kinds of questions they are not allowed to ask on interviews and under what circumstances employees may lawfully be terminated.

I recommend: Fox Law Group answers the most frequently asked questions and provides practical advice on how to interview new hires and what kind of preferential treatment by employers is considered grounds for legal action according to MS employment law. Phelps Dunbar provides excellent insight into Mississippi's Employment Protection Act. Louis H. Watson takes current events and explains how MS labor laws can be applied to them.

Educate yourself using discussions by Mississippi labor attorneys

Provide an educational experience on Mississippi employee laws that helps your staff learn what the real issues are from the professionals who handle these claims every day.

I recommend: The law blog discussions on Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, updated daily, relate to a wide range of topics, such as new legislation and debates between government agencies over the application of state employment law. Get answers to your questions about child labor laws fast when you access Labor Law Center Blog. The Mississippi Employment Law Letter from HR Hero.com is for the human resource professional looking for answers on federal and state statutes that affect Mississippi employees.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employment laws in Mississippi allow non-compliant companies to be sued by many different state agencies such as the Departments of Human Services, Employment Security and Attorney General.

Mississippi employment laws help employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Mississippi state labor laws help both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.

Mississippi labor and employment law makes working better for everyone. Labor law, although originally intended to improve working conditions for laborers, boosts business owner’s bottom line by increased productivity.

Mississippi labor laws deal with job safety, employee foreman ratios, break time, lunch time and safety standards within the work environment. Updated Mississippi labor laws meet the demand of new technology and constantly changing work requirements. Understand and comply with MS labor laws to:

1. Stay in compliance with changes to employment laws in Mississippi.

2. Provide productive work environments for employees through MS employment laws.

3. Protect your businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Display MS employment law posters in easy to read locations around your facility

Keeping employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under employment law in Mississippi keeps them empowered. Mississippi labor law posters provide the latest updates or changes in labor law in Mississippi.

I recommend: GovDocs and LaborLawCenter carry up to date government recommended MS employment law posters for display around your facility.

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up to date on MS labor laws

The only way to guard your company from frivolous lawsuits and keep employees happy is to promote a safe work environment and understand your rights as an employer. Keeping up to date on changes to current laws and how the effect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Visit the publications division page of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to understand worker's rights. Also stay up to date on the latest employer news and services from the Employer Services Division.

Increase productivity by going above and beyond required state labor laws in MS

Mississippi employment law, as in any state, give guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to keep employees happy is a great way to increase their overall productivity.

I recommend: Visit the US Department of Labor for state by state links to labor issues and policies. HRhero.com is a subscription service offering the latest updates to state by state employment law.

Find Mississippi labor attorneys from Mississippi employment laws firms

Employment law attorneys from Mississippi employment law firms help clients understand MS employment law. Labor lawyers in Mississippi from Mississippi employment law firms keep clients informed and in compliance with the latest changes and updates to MS employment law.

I recommend: Phelps Dunbar LLP and Butler Snow, provide employment and labor law expertise in Mississippi.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss changes to MS work laws with your union representative. If you are a non union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources department is in charge of all employment law related issues.
• •  Post MS employment laws posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference rooms, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are all great places to for labor law posters.