Mississippi employers must abide by the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and the Equal Pay Act, both of which prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender. Accordingly, employers may not take sex into account when they determine pay, hire new workers, or promote within the company. They are also required to make sure that the working environment is neither hostile to a particular gender nor overtly sexual.

What Must be Proven in a Discrimination Claim?

Discrimination occurs according to the Equal Pay Act if both men and women are working in the same job and performing the same tasks, yet receive different wages. Employers in Pearl can also be held liable in a discrimination claim if their hiring and promotion policies favor one gender, or if the they take retaliatory action against a worker who files a complaint against their employer.

When is Sexual Harassment Prohibited?

Any unwelcome sexual behavior directed at the victim, including physical or verbal acts, is considered to be sexual harassment. Employers in Pearl might also be liable for the behavior, even when the conduct was done by an employee's co-worker.

Mississippi employers can also be held liable for sexual harassment if it allows conduct that leads to an overly sexual work environment. It is typically somewhat challenging to prove gender discrimination if you don't have an attorney, because certain aspects such as proving intent can be complex. Pursuing a claim also involves following procedures, many of which can be detailed.