South Carolina . Accommodations . Updated April 2026

South Carolina requires reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth.

The South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act (SCPAA) mandates employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for an applicant or employee’s pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This includes triple notice requirements: at hiring, within 120 days for existing employees, and through workplace postings. The SCPAA operates in parallel with the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).

Applies to employers with
15+ employees
Notice requirement
Triple notice
Federal parallel
PWFA
Active

SC Pregnancy Accommodations Act

Mandates reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and requires comprehensive notice to employees.

Employee Notice
Reasonable Accommodation
Always running

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

The SC Pregnancy Accommodations Act imposes both proactive notice obligations and reactive accommodation duties on employers. Teambridge ensures these requirements are met seamlessly, integrating them into the employee lifecycle from hiring through employment.

At-Hire Notice Deployment

When a new employee is onboarded in South Carolina, Teambridge automatically provides the required written notice regarding their rights under the SCPAA, ensuring compliance from day one.

Existing Employee Notice Tracking

For current employees, Teambridge tracks the 120-day notice requirement, automatically flagging and delivering the necessary information about pregnancy accommodation rights.

Accommodation Request Workflow

Teambridge provides a structured workflow for employees to request reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, guiding employers through the interactive process.

Stop tracking South Carolina rules manually.

Teambridge updates as the laws do, and keeps you compliant automatically. Fill out the form to learn how we can put your compliance on autopilot.

The rule, plainly stated

The South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act requires reasonable accommodations and specific notices.

Effective May 13, 2018, the SC Pregnancy Accommodations Act (S.C. Code § 1-13-85) mandates that employers with 15 or more employees provide reasonable accommodations for an applicant or employee’s pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This includes duties such as providing more frequent or longer breaks, modifying food or drink policies, providing a private non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk, modifying work schedules, or light duty assignments.

S.C. Code § 1-13-85

Reasonable Accommodation Requirements

Employers covered by the Act must engage in an interactive process with employees to determine effective reasonable accommodations, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer's business operations. Examples of reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to, providing more frequent or longer breaks, modifying food or drink policies, providing a private non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk, modifying work schedules, temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position, job restructuring, light duty, or acquisition or modification of equipment. An employer may not deny an employment opportunity to an otherwise qualified applicant or employee because of the need to make a reasonable accommodation for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Notice Obligations

The SCPAA imposes specific notice requirements on employers. Employers must provide written notice of the right to be free from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including the right to reasonable accommodations. This notice must be given in three distinct ways: (1) to new employees at the commencement of their employment, (2) to existing employees within 120 days after the effective date of the Act (or 120 days after the date the employer becomes subject to the Act), and (3) by posting the notice in a conspicuous place in the workplace, in a form prescribed by the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission. Failure to provide these notices can result in enforcement actions.

On autopilot

Teambridge ensures South Carolina pregnancy accommodation compliance, automatically.

Navigating the nuances of the SC Pregnancy Accommodations Act, especially its triple notice requirements, can be complex. Teambridge streamlines this process, ensuring your business remains compliant without manual intervention or risk of oversight.

01 . Proactive Onboarding

Automated At-Hire Notice Delivery

Teambridge integrates the SCPAA notice into your digital onboarding flow, automatically presenting and documenting acknowledgment of the rights and responsibilities for all new South Carolina hires.

02 . Continuous Compliance

Scheduled Existing Employee Notifications

Our system tracks employee tenure and automatically triggers the 120-day notice distribution for existing employees, ensuring ongoing compliance with the Act's requirements.

03 . Guided Accommodation Workflow

Structured Request Management

Teambridge provides a clear, compliant pathway for employees to submit accommodation requests, guiding managers through the interactive process and documenting all steps to mitigate risk.

04 . Digital Workplace Posting

Accessible Policy Disclosures

Beyond physical postings, Teambridge ensures the SCPAA notice is readily accessible digitally to all employees, complementing your physical postings and providing an audit trail of accessibility.

FAQ

People also ask.

What is the South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act?
The South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act (SCPAA) is a state law that requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for an applicant or employee’s pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. It also mandates specific notice requirements to employees about these rights.
Which employers are covered by the SCPAA?
The SCPAA applies to all employers that employ 15 or more employees within South Carolina. This threshold is consistent with other discrimination laws under the South Carolina Human Affairs Law.
What are examples of reasonable accommodations under the SCPAA?
Examples include more frequent or longer breaks, modifying food or drink policies, providing a private non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk, modifying work schedules, temporary transfer to a less strenuous position, light duty, or job restructuring. The specific accommodation will depend on the individual's needs and the employer's ability to provide it without undue hardship.
What are the notice requirements for employers under the SCPAA?
Employers must provide written notice of pregnancy accommodation rights to (1) new employees at hiring, (2) existing employees within 120 days after the Act's effective date or when the employer becomes subject to it, and (3) by posting the notice in a conspicuous place in the workplace.
How does the SCPAA relate to the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)?
The SCPAA operates in parallel with the federal PWFA, which also requires reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. While there is overlap, employers must comply with both laws, ensuring they provide the greater protection or benefit to employees where the laws differ.
Can an employer deny an accommodation request under the SCPAA?
An employer may deny an accommodation request only if it would impose an "undue hardship" on the employer's business operations. Undue hardship is generally a high standard to meet and requires a significant difficulty or expense. Employers are expected to engage in an interactive process with the employee to explore potential accommodations.