Missouri Employment Laws

Missouri's minimum wage is $13.75/hr (2025), increasing to $15.00/hr on January 1, 2026, per voter-approved Proposition A. Tipped minimum is 50% of the standard rate ($6.875 in 2025, $7.50 in 2026). Exempt: retail/service businesses with annual gross sales under $500,000.

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, and age. Applies to employers with 6 or more employees. Filing with MCHR within 180 days is a jurisdictional prerequisite. After 180 days, employees may request a Right to Sue letter.

The legislature passed right-to-work (SB 19) in 2017, but voters rejected it by referendum in August 2018 by a 2-to-1 margin. Unions may require dues as a condition of employment under collective bargaining agreements.

Proposition A (November 2024) required paid sick leave at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, effective May 2025. HB 567, signed July 2025, repealed the requirement effective August 28, 2025. Employers may voluntarily offer paid sick leave but are no longer required to.

Protects employees who report unlawful acts or serious misconduct violating public policy, or who refuse to carry out directives that would violate the law. This statute provides the exclusive remedy for whistleblower claims.