South Carolina Employment Law

South Carolina Human Affairs Law covers employers with 15+ employees. Limited protections; does not include sexual orientation or gender identity.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

Yes

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$7.25

South Carolina State Laws (1)

SC HAL

S.C. Code Ann. §§ 1-13-10 to 1-13-110

180 days
15+ employees

The South Carolina Human Affairs Law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age (40+), national origin, and disability. The Act covers employers with 15 or more employees and complaints must be filed within 180 days with the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission. South Carolina provides relatively limited protections compared to many states, closely mirroring federal law without significant expansion.

Protected Classes

racecolorreligionsexage (40+)national origindisability

Key Provisions

  • ✓Closely mirrors federal anti-discrimination law with limited expansion beyond Title VII and ADA
  • ✓South Carolina Human Affairs Commission investigates complaints and may pursue administrative hearings
  • ✓Does not include sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status as protected classes

Remedies

Back payReinstatementCompensatory damagesAttorney fees and costsInjunctive reliefCease-and-desist orders
File with: South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC)180 days from the discriminatory act

Federal Laws That Apply in South Carolina

These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in South Carolina. As a deferral state, the EEOC filing deadline is extended to 300 days for most claims.

Title VII15+ employees
300 days
ADA15+ employees
300 days
ADEA20+ employees
300 days
EPA1+ employees
730 days
PDA15+ employees
300 days
PWFA15+ employees
300 days
FMLA50+ employees
730 days
FLSA1+ employees
730 days
Section 19811+ employees
1460 days
GINA15+ employees
300 days
USERRA1+ employees
— days
NLRA1+ employees
180 days
OSH Act1+ employees
30 days
WARN Act100+ employees
— days
Rehabilitation Act1+ employees
300 days
SOX Section 8061+ employees
180 days
INA Section 1324b4+ employees
180 days

Check which laws apply to your situation in South Carolina

Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.

Check My Rights

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.South Carolina laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in South Carolina for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: February 2025.