All Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Charleston, SC

Workplace Rights and Termination Defense in Charleston

Charleston is a city of history, hospitality, and booming industry. From the busy Port of Charleston and the manufacturing plants of Boeing and Volvo to the restaurants and hotels of the Peninsula, the Holy City drives South Carolina’s economy. However, South Carolina is also known for being a strict ”at-will” employment state. This means that challenging a termination here is more difficult than in many other jurisdictions. Employers have broad latitude to hire and fire. Yet, this power is not absolute. There are specific federal and state protections that prevent firing based on bias, retaliation, or violations of public policy. This directory helps you connect with Charleston Wrongful Termination Lawyers who specialize in identifying the narrow but critical exceptions to the at-will rule to protect workers in the Lowcountry.

The Public Policy Exception

One of the few ways to defeat the at-will doctrine in South Carolina is through the Public Policy Exception, established in the landmark case Ludwick v. This Minute of Carolina, Inc.. This rule states that an employer cannot fire you for refusing to violate the law.

• Refusing Illegal Orders: If your boss ordered you to falsify safety records, dump chemicals illegally, or commit fraud, and fired you for saying no, you have a claim.
• Obeying a Subpoena: You cannot be fired for complying with a legal subpoena to testify in court.

A Charleston employment attorney can evaluate if your situation fits this specific legal niche. It is important to note that this exception is applied narrowly by South Carolina courts, so professional legal analysis is essential.

Employee Handbooks and Implied Contracts

In Charleston, many disputes revolve around employee handbooks. Under South Carolina law, a handbook can create an implied contract that alters your at-will status. If the handbook states that employees will only be fired for ”just cause” or outlines a mandatory disciplinary procedure, the employer may be legally bound to follow it.

However, employers often include ”disclaimers” in bold, capitalized text stating that the handbook is not a contract. A lawyer will scrutinize the placement and prominence of these disclaimers to see if they are legally effective. 📜

Discrimination and the SCHAC

Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability is prohibited by the South Carolina Human Affairs Law. In Charleston, claims are often dual-filed with the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) and the federal EEOC.

Common issues in the local economy include:

• Hospitality: Sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination in the food and beverage industry.
• Manufacturing: Age discrimination against older workers or failure to accommodate disabilities in industrial settings.
• Tourism: Racial steering in hiring for client-facing versus back-of-house roles.

You generally have 180 days to file with SCHAC, or 300 days for the EEOC. Missing these deadlines can destroy your case.

Workers’ Compensation Retaliation

It is illegal in South Carolina to fire an employee because they filed a workers’ compensation claim in good faith. If you were injured on the job at the port or a construction site, and then suddenly let go, this is a specific statutory violation. Proving this requires showing a causal link between the filing of the claim and the termination. Lawyers in our directory are skilled at gathering the necessary evidence, such as emails or witness statements, to prove this retaliation.

Wage Payment Act Violations

Often, a wrongful termination is accompanied by a failure to pay final wages. The South Carolina Payment of Wages Act requires employers to pay all wages due within 48 hours of firing or by the next regular payday. Failure to do so can result in triple damages.

If you were fired and your employer withheld your commission, vacation pay (if the policy allows), or your final paycheck, legal counsel in Charleston can help you recover these funds along with attorney’s fees.

Find Legal Representation in Charleston County

Taking on an employer in South Carolina requires a lawyer who is tenacious and knowledgeable about the specific precedents of the state courts. This page provides a list of law firms and attorneys serving Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding islands.

Whether you believe you were fired for whistleblowing, discrimination, or in breach of an employment contract, help is available. Browse the profiles below to find a Wrongful Termination Lawyer who can explain your options. Most employment lawyers offer consultations to determine if the facts of your discharge violate the law. Protect your career and your rights today.