MS HB1373

Abolishes employment-at-will doctrine in Mississippi and requires employers with 20+ employees to discharge workers only for legitimate, good-faith business reasons after completion of a 90-day probationary period.

Defines improper discharge as termination based on personal dislike, retaliation, violation of employee handbooks, discrimination, whistleblowing, workplace injury, workers' compensation claims, off-duty conduct, or unequal application of discipline.

Allows wrongfully discharged employees to recover lost wages, compensatory damages for mental distress, punitive damages if employer acted in reckless disregard, and up to one additional year of "front pay" if they cannot secure other employment.

Caps punitive and mental distress damages based on employer size: $50,000 for employers with 20-100 employees, $100,000 for 101-200 employees, $200,000 for 201-500 employees, and $300,000 for 500+ employees.

Grants employees jury trial rights in circuit or county courts with a one-year statute of limitations; prohibits employers from waiving protections through arbitration agreements, damage limitation clauses, or administrative remedy provisions.