South Carolina law
Employment Laws in South Carolina.
South Carolina is an at-will, right-to-work state with no state minimum wage (federal $7.25/hr applies), no state overtime law, and no state-mandated paid leave. The SC Human Affairs Law protects against employment discrimination for employers with 15+ employees. South Carolina has very limited state employment protections — federal law provides most workplace safeguards.
Last verified: 2026-02-25
State law
Statute of Limitations
Discrimination complaints with the SC Human Affairs Commission must be filed within 180 days. Common law wrongful discharge claims have a 3-year statute of limitations.
State law
Key South Carolina Statutes
South Carolina has no state minimum wage. The federal $7.25/hr applies to FLSA-covered employers. No state overtime law — federal FLSA provides the only overtime protections.
Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin (including ancestry), and disability. Applies to employers with 15+ employees. Enforced by the SC Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC).
South Carolina is a right-to-work state. No worker can be required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment.
Public employees are protected from retaliation for reporting violations. Must file within 1 year. Limited private-sector whistleblower protections exist.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.
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