For the most part, we enjoy our careers, and even if we’re looking for a new job, we generally think highly of our employers and trust they are doing the right thing. But what do we do if we find out our bosses or coworkers might be involved in some illegal, unethical, or otherwise shady business practices? Most of us would be afraid to report on company misconduct for the fear of getting fired.
Fortunately, there are strict regulations under Magnolia State law to help protect employees who come forward about fraud or illegal conduct in the workplace. Here is a brief overview of “whistleblower†laws in Mississippi.
Whistleblower Laws
Just about all states have some form of what are known as "whistleblower" laws. These statutes generally prohibit an employer from retaliating against an employee who reports illegal, dangerous, or unethical business practices. The idea behind these laws is to shield employees from demotion, firing, or other reprisals if they come forward with important information, and the scope of protection can be increased if there is fraud or malfeasance against a state or federal government.
Mississippi Whistle Blower Statutes
Mississippi’s whistleblower laws are listed in the table below.
| Code Section | Mississippi Code 25-9-171, et seq. |
| Prohibited Employer Activity | Can not dismiss or otherwise adversely affect the compensation or employment status if employee testifies or provides information to an investigative body |
| Protection for Public or Private Employees? | Public |
| Opportunity for Employer to Correct? | - |
| Remedies | Can file civil action (without exhausting administrative remedies) for back pay and reinstatement |
| Penalties | Each member of any agency's governing board or authority or executive director may be individually liable for civil fine; maximum $10,000 per violation |
Mississippi’s whistleblower laws generally extend protections only to public employees at the state level. There are, however, some federal protections that may apply to whistleblowers who believe their company has defrauded the government. Under the federal False Claims Act allows, employees are able to file what are known as “qui tam actions†to report fraud against the government and remain shielded from employer retaliation. Also, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 protects whistleblowers in cases of securities, shareholder, and other kinds of fraud.
Mississippi Whistleblower Laws: Related Resources
State (and federal) employment laws can be difficult to make sense of. You can consult with a Mississippi whistleblower attorney if you would like legal assistance regarding an employment matter. You can also find more resources and information on this topic by visiting FindLaw’s section on Employment Law.
