South Carolina Wrongful Termination Lawyers
You lost your job, but something feels off. Now you don’t know what to do.
Maybe you feel you were fired for discriminatory reasons. Or that your employer is retaliating after you refused to cross legal lines. Whatever the case may be, you don’t have to face your employer or these unknowns alone.
Punchwork Law is ready with a legal counterpunch to put unjust employers back in their place.
A job loss is hard enough as it is, but navigating legal hoops and strict deadlines can feel overwhelming. At Punchwork Law, our South Carolina wrongful termination lawyers will review your case and determine your legal rights, helping you seek justice and protect yourself.
Ready to punch back? Contact our team for legal services, and let Punchwork Law do the work.
What Counts as Wrongful Termination in South Carolina?
Not every firing is illegal. And because South Carolina is an at-will state, employers don’t need a reason to terminate an employee. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions.
At-Will Employment in South Carolina
South Carolina is a strict at-will employment state. This means that an employee may be terminated for (almost) any reason.
But there are important at-will employment exceptions in South Carolina. A wrongful termination violates state and federal law, public policy, or an employment contract.
Examples of wrongful termination include:
- Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, age, pregnancy, or national origin
- Retaliation for reporting discrimination, harassment, illegal activities, or other workplace violations
- Exercising a legal right, such as filing for a workers’ compensation claim or taking protected leave
- Following the law or refusing to break the law
Understanding Wrongful Termination Protections in South Carolina
It can be challenging to prove you were fired illegally in South Carolina. That’s why it’s helpful to speak to a wrongful termination attorney in South Carolina.
At Punchwork Law, we deal with wrongful termination cases every day. We know how South Carolina’s employment laws work.
If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated, here are a few key things to know about South Carolina’s employment laws, policies, and institutions.
South Carolina Human Affairs Law
You deserve to feel safe at your job. The South Carolina Human Affairs Law protects employees from workplace discrimination.
It includes discrimination based on:
- Race
- Gender
- Religion
- National Origin
- Disability
- Age
- Pregnancy
South Carolina Payment of Wages Act
You are a hardworking employee, and you deserve to get paid. The South Carolina Payment of Wages Act protects an employee’s wages.
It requires employers to:
- Tell employees pay and hours upfront
- Notify employees in writing before changing pay
- Pay employees on time and in full
- Provide an itemized pay statement for each pay period
- Pay all final wages after an employee is terminated within 30 days
South Carolina Whistleblower Act
You shouldn’t be punished for doing what’s right. The South Carolina Whistleblower Act protects public employees who report wrongdoings in their workplace.
Under this law, if you work for a government agency and report wrongdoings, your employer cannot:
- Terminate your employment
- Demote your position
- Suspend you
- Cut your pay
While South Carolina whistleblower protections mainly apply to public employees, federal whistleblower laws offer broader protections.
South Carolina Public Policy Exception
You shouldn’t be fired for following the law. And through Ludwick v. This Minute of Carolina, Inc. (1985), South Carolina recognizes a public policy exception to at-will employment.
Some examples of public policy exceptions may include:
- Appearing for jury duty
- Following the law
- Refusing to break a law
- Appearing as a witness in court
In short, if you are trying to follow public policies and your employer fires you for it, you may have a wrongful termination case.
Implied Contract Exceptions
Even though South Carolina is an at-will employment state, there are times when an employer makes clear promises about job security or termination.
These may be found in:
- Conversations with your employer
- Employee handbooks
- Written policies
- Offer letters
In Small v. Springs Industries, Inc., South Carolina recognizes clear promises as an implied contract, and if you are fired in violation of this informal agreement, you may have been wrongfully terminated.
Federal Laws That Protect You From Wrongful Termination
Compared to other states, South Carolina has fewer state-level protections. As such, federal laws play a major role in protecting employees from wrongful termination.
In some instances, certain charges of discrimination are taken by the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) but investigated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
You can’t be fired because of who you are.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Â protects you against discrimination for:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex (including pregnancy)
- Age
- National origin
If losing your job is tied to any of these protected characteristics, you may have a wrongful termination case.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Life happens. And sometimes there are important family or medical matters that require you to take leave from work to care for those you love.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can qualify for leave for:
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Care for spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition
- A personal health condition that prevents you from performing the functions of your job
- Qualifying exigencies from a spouse, child, or parent’s military employment
If you are fired in retaliation for taking protected leave, you may have a wrongful termination case.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)Â
You can’t be fired for having a disability. And you can’t be ignored, either.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protects you from losing your job due to a disability or from an employer refusing to make reasonable accommodations to support you in your employment. It also protects you from retaliation for speaking up about discrimination against a disability.
How to Punchback with Punchwork Law
Losing your job can feel like a suckerpunch. But being wrongfully terminated can feel like a real KO.
The good news? You don’t have to fight back alone.
Punchwork Law is ready to step into the ring on your behalf.
Our team of South Carolina wrongful termination lawyers is here to listen. We are real people who empathize with your story. Our lawyers, paralegals, and support staff have diverse backgrounds and career paths — and a razor-sharp legal understanding.
If you think you have been wrongfully terminated, let’s talk. We’re ready to listen.
