South Carolina . Anti-Discrimination . Updated April 2026

The SC Human Affairs Law ensures broad anti-discrimination protections for employees.

South Carolina's Human Affairs Law (SCHAL) prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age (40+), and disability. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees, mirroring federal Title VII protections, and establishes a clear framework for fair employment practices across the state.

Employee Threshold
15+
Protected Classes
7
Key Similarity
Title VII
Active

SC Human Affairs Law

Prohibits discrimination in employment based on specified protected characteristics.

Discrimination prohibited
15+ employee coverage
Always running

What those rules do as a South Carolina shift is created.

Teambridge integrates the SC Human Affairs Law directly into your operational workflows, ensuring that every employment decision, from hiring to termination, aligns with state anti-discrimination mandates. This proactive approach minimizes risk and fosters an equitable workplace.

Block discriminatory practices

Teambridge flags and prevents scheduling, promotion, or termination decisions that could inadvertently lead to discrimination based on protected classes, ensuring compliance with SCHAL.

Verify employer threshold

For South Carolina employers, Teambridge automatically tracks employee counts to determine if the 15+ employee threshold for SCHAL applicability is met, triggering relevant compliance checks.

Avoid disparate impact

Our system analyzes employment patterns to identify potential disparate impacts on protected groups, allowing for corrective action before issues escalate into formal complaints.

Stop worrying about South Carolina compliance.

Enter your email and company name to see how Teambridge can put your compliance on autopilot.

The rule, plainly stated

South Carolina Human Affairs Law (SCHAL)

The South Carolina Human Affairs Law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or applicants based on specific protected characteristics, closely aligning with federal anti-discrimination statutes.

S.C. Code 1-13-10 et seq.

It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer: (1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge an individual or otherwise to discriminate against an individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability; or (2) to limit, segregate, or classify employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual's race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Protected Characteristics and Employer Coverage

The SCHAL explicitly protects individuals from discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age (for individuals 40 years of age or older), and disability. This comprehensive list ensures broad coverage for employees in South Carolina. The law applies to employers that employ fifteen or more employees for each working day in each of twenty or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year, establishing a clear threshold for compliance obligations.

Prohibited Practices and Enforcement

Under SCHAL, employers are prohibited from engaging in various discriminatory practices, including refusal to hire, discharge, or any form of discrimination regarding compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. This also extends to limiting, segregating, or classifying employees or applicants in a manner that adversely affects their employment opportunities. The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) is responsible for enforcing the law, investigating complaints, and seeking remedies for violations, including reinstatement, back pay, and other equitable relief.

On autopilot

Teambridge ensures South Carolina anti-discrimination compliance without manual oversight.

Teambridge continuously monitors employee data and employment actions against SCHAL requirements, providing automated checks and alerts to prevent potential discrimination issues before they arise. This proactive system keeps your organization compliant and your workforce protected.

01 . Proactive Threshold Monitoring

Automated employee count tracking

Teambridge automatically tracks your South Carolina employee count, alerting you when you approach or cross the 15-employee threshold for SCHAL applicability. This ensures you're aware of your obligations precisely when they become relevant.

02 . Policy Integration & Training

Ensuring fair employment practices

Our platform integrates SCHAL requirements into your HR policies and training modules, ensuring all managers and employees are aware of protected classes and prohibited discriminatory behaviors, fostering an inclusive environment.

03 . Discrimination Risk Assessment

Identifying and mitigating potential issues

Teambridge analyzes employment decisions—from hiring metrics to promotion rates—for potential disparate impact across protected characteristics, providing insights to address and mitigate discrimination risks proactively.

FAQ

People also ask.

What is the employee threshold for the SC Human Affairs Law?
The SC Human Affairs Law applies to employers with 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year.
What are the protected classes under the SC Human Affairs Law?
The law protects individuals from discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, age (40 years or older), national origin, and disability.
How does the SC Human Affairs Law compare to federal Title VII?
The SC Human Affairs Law largely mirrors the protections offered by federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, covering the same protected characteristics and generally applying to employers with 15 or more employees.
What types of employment practices are prohibited under SCHAL?
Prohibited practices include discrimination in hiring, firing, compensation, terms, conditions, privileges of employment, and any actions that limit, segregate, or classify employees or applicants in a discriminatory way.
Who enforces the SC Human Affairs Law?
The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) is responsible for enforcing the law, investigating complaints, and mediating or litigating discrimination claims.
Can employees file a lawsuit directly under the SCHAL?
Generally, an individual must first file a complaint with the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) and receive a "right-to-sue" letter before they can file a lawsuit in state court under the SCHAL. This administrative exhaustion process is similar to federal EEOC procedures.