Missouri - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In Missouri, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

No statute in Missouri requires an employer to pay wages of any employee who takes time off for jury duty obligations.

An employee may not be required to use annual, vacation, personal, or sick leave for time spent in jury duty service.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of Missouri for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

An employer shall not terminate, discipline, threaten or take adverse actions against an employee responding to a jury summons or fulfilling any jury duty related obligations.

You should be sure to show your employer your Missouri jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

A discharged employee may bring civil action against the employer within ninety days for recovery of lost wages, other damages, and an reinstatement order. Successful employee entitled to reasonable attorney's fee and prescribed by the court.

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.