Mississippi Whistleblower Protections
All Mississippi citizens are protected by state and federal whistleblower laws. We have provided information about many of the laws in Mississippi below. For more information about federal laws, click here.
Government Employees
Other Whistleblower Laws
Statutes specifically protecting government whistleblowers
Protection of Public Employees from Reprisal forgiving Information to Investigative Body or Agency, M.C.A. § 25-9-171 et seq.
Parties Protected By Statute
“[A]ny individual employed or holding office in any department or agency of state or local government.”
M.C.A. § 25-9-171(c)
Protected Actions Under Statute
“[a]n employee who in good faith reports an alleged improper governmental action to a state investigative body, initiating an investigation. For purposes of the provisions of Sections 25-9-171 through 25-9-177, the term “whistleblower” also means an employee who in good faith provides information to a state investigative body, or an employee who is believed to have reported alleged improper governmental action to a state investigative body or to have provided information to a state investigative body but who, in fact, has not reported such action or provided such information.”
M.C.A. § 25-9-171(j)
Specific Remedies Authorized By Statute
- Back pay and reinstatement.
- An employee whose employment is suspended or terminated or who is subjected to adverse personnel action in violation ofSection 25-9-173 is entitled to sue for injunctive relief, compensatory damages, court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees; provided, however, that an employee may not recover an amount that exceeds the limitations provided in Section 11-46-15 ($500,000).
- Each member of any agency’s governing board or authority may be found individually liable for a civil fine of up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for each violation ofSection 25-9-173. In any instance where the agency in violation of Section 25-9-173 has no governing board or authority, the agency’s executive director may be found individually liable for a civil fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
- If the court determines that any action filed under this section by an employee is frivolous and unwarrantable, the court may award to the employer court costs and reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred in defense of actions brought by the employee under this section.
M.C.A. § 25-9-175