http://www.elinfonet.com/starticles/41 Articles discussing workplace law in South Carolina. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:02:16 EST en-us http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3764 Article: 3764 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 27, 2011, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed into law S.B. 20, a comprehensive immigration law with new employment verification requirements and harsh criminal penalties. The law expands on the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act passed in 2008 and considered at the time as one of the toughest in the nation. This article will focus on employment verification changes in the new law as well as various criminal provisions that could impact employers and/or their employees. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3758 Article: 3758 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) As the end of 2011 draws closer, employers are reminded of several key changes to the South Carolina Illegal Immigration and Reform Act (SCIIRA), which are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2012. These changes include a state-wide mandate that all employers use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly-hired employees, as well as a significant revision to the penalty scheme for non-compliance with SCIIRA. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3733 Article: 3733 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Regardless of what happens with a recently filed lawsuit, state regulators plan to begin enforcement of employment law provisions that take effect New Year’s Day. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3646 Article: 3646 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Employment in North and South Carolina is at-will, which generally means an employer can terminate an employee at any time without notice. However, both states have long-recognized exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine, including provisions that an employee cannot be discharged for reasons that contravene the “public policy” of the state. Although courts in North and South Carolina generally construe public policy wrongful termination claims narrowly, at least one recent court decision has signaled a willingness to broaden the scope of such claims, potentially exposing employers to more lawsuits by terminated employees. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3613 Article: 3613 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) If a company does not timely pay all wages due to an employee, the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act (SCPWA) allows the employee to file a lawsuit for three times the amount of unpaid wages, plus court costs and attorneys fees. The lawsuit for unpaid wages can be filed not only against the company, but also against agents and officers who permit the company to violate the SCPWA. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3588 Article: 3588 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On May 26, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Chamber of Commerce of the United States v. Whiting, No. 09-115, which held that states could mandate employment verification and could suspend or revoke business licenses for an employer’s violation of immigration laws. Shortly thereafter, several states including South Carolina and North Carolina passed state immigration laws mandating employment verification and imposing penalties for failure to comply. This article summarizes the main provisions of each state law. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3545 Article: 3545 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) South Carolina has joined the growing number of states requiring employers to use the federal E-Verify program exclusively to confirm new workers’ employment authorization. Governor Nikki Haley signed into law amendments to the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act (“Act” or “SCIIRA”) and other state laws addressing immigration on June 27, 2011. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3525 Article: 3525 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 27, 2011, Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law amendments to South Carolina's immigration laws, including the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act. The legislation strengthens what was already considered to be one of the toughest immigration reform acts in the country. The new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2012, brings with it new requirements for employers in South Carolina. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3454 Article: 3454 Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) American businesses are starting to hire again. Figures from the Department of Labor show that the unemployment rate dropped to 8.8% in March - down from a peak of 10.6% in January of 2010. As businesses look to hire, many managers will want their new employees to sign non-compete agreements. Such covenants can be beneficial for employers, but only if executed correctly. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=3432 Article: 3432 Mon, 02 May 2011 00:00:00 EST webmaster@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) South Carolina has shut down a restaurant for 10 days after finding that the restaurant employed persons not authorized to work. This move by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation arises out of a plan to audit 4,000 employers in 2011 for compliance with the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act. Employers found in violation of the Act face stiff civil fines and negative publicity and may be reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or, as in this case, even shut down. LLR has hired 21 investigators to support its aggressive investigation strategy.