Life can be full of adversity, and an unfortunate fact is that workplace discrimination can be one of them. While both state and federal laws have been enacted to define and mitigate discrimination against protected classes of people, unfair treatment of employees due to various prejudices still occurs. It is important to protect yourself when this happens. Reasonably, you may wonder, what are the types of workplace discrimination in Mississippi?
EEOC Protections
Mississippi workplace discrimination laws are largely defined under federal guidelines. As in other states, workers are federally protected from discrimination under the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Established to enforce federal anti-discrimination laws within the workplace, the EEOC protects workers in businesses with 15 employees or more from enduring discrimination based on race or color, religion, sexual status, such as pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age for those 40 years or older, and genetic information.
Workplace discrimination cases typically include acts of harassment and unfair treatment, such as:
- Refusal to hire an applicant, or termination of an employee, based on their protected class.
- Denial of equal pay or promotions to employees based on their protected class.
- Denial of reasonable requests for workplace changes with respect to religious beliefs or disabilities of an employee.
- Improper questions about genetic or medical information
- Retaliation for complaints about discriminatory acts or workplace atmosphere.
Filing a Workplace Discrimination Claim
Even with these protections, Mississippi has the second-highest rate of complaints with the EEOC, with 60 per 100,000 people. Filing a workplace discrimination claim must follow a strict series of steps for litigation to occur:
- Contact an experienced workplace discrimination attorney.
- Make sure all evidence is kept. Things such as e-mails, personal messages, video recordings, and other forms of evidentiary support can be critical when making a claim to address workplace discrimination.
- The next step is to make an internal complaint with your company. In July of 2025, Code R. 120-57 was put into effect, requiring businesses to effectively communicate to all employees a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, and follow up all reports with a prompt internal investigation.
- While an internal investigation is pursued, you must likewise file a discrimination claim with the EEOC. Such claims must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory incident for them to be pursued.
- Within 10 days of filing a claim, the EEOC will decide to dismiss the claim or contact your employer. Should a claim not be dismissed, an employer will likely be sent a letter asking them to either respond to the claim or take part in a mediation.
- Depending on the outcome of communication with your employer, the agency’s legal staff will decide whether to pursue litigation. If they decide against it, they will provide you with a Notice of Right to Sue, giving authorization to file on your own. From the issuance of the notice, you will have 90 days to pursue your claim in court.
Hire a Workplace Discrimination Lawyer
One of the problems associated with discrimination in the workplace is unfortunately not going away. In 2024, the EEOC reported a 9% increase in allegations from the year before. When hiring a workplace discrimination lawyer, it is essential to obtain counsel with extensive experience and an understanding of the complexities of federal and state laws.
FAQs
What Are the Types of Discrimination in the Workplace?
The types of discrimination in the workplace recognized by the EEOC include discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. In addition, federal laws recognize age discrimination for those over 40 and any form of discriminatory behavior based on genetic information. All of these are recognized as forms of discrimination that can occur in the workplace under federal law.
What Are the Employment Discrimination Laws in Mississippi?
Employment discrimination laws in Mississippi follow both federal and state guidelines. Particularly, the EEOC is put in place to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, amongst others. Mississippi laws likewise entail certain requirements, such as Miss. Code R. 120-57, which requires strict enforcement of federal laws by employers.
What Can I Do If I Am Feeling Discriminated Against at Work?
If you are feeling discriminated against at work, there are several things you can do. Be sure to keep documented details of the discrimination. You can then file a complaint internally with your company, which is bound to investigate. In addition, you can contact the Mississippi branch of the EOCC, located in the Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building on 100 West Capitol Street, Suite 338, in Jackson.
What Is Unfair Treatment in the Workplace?
Unfair treatment in the workplace is any prejudicial treatment of an employee. As outlined by the EOCC, this can take the form of discrimination against protected classes. Actions that may constitute unfair treatment can be harassment, refusal of reasonable requests made by an employee in the interest of their religious beliefs or disability, or if they are asked inappropriate questions about genetic information or medical conditions.
Hire a Workplace Discrimination Lawyer
At Johnson, Ratliff & Waide, PLLC, our experienced lawyers have been assisting employees in receiving justice for decades. With a combined experience of over 70 years in the courtroom, our talented lawyers are prepared to ensure your rights are protected. We look at the unique circumstances of each case to provide our clients with the tailored services they need.
While discrimination may be an unfortunate fact, it does not mean that it should be endured. It is critical to challenge workplace discrimination in all its forms and to ensure that your rights are protected. Contact us today to learn how we can help you. Our team has been serving the people of Mississippi over a wide range of litigation matters to ensure their clients’ rights are defended.
