Best Employment Lawyers in Charleston, SC

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Charleston, South Carolina?

  The non-emergency dispatch number of the Charleston Police Department is 843-743-7200.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Charleston, South Carolina?

  You must visit the Charleston Police Department's Records Office to obtain copies of incident reports, or you can contact 843-577-7434 for assistance. Each police report costs $5. Crime victims are not charged for obtaining their incident reports.

• What should you do if your Charleston employer offers you a severance package?

  Severance packages in Charleston frequently include complex releases with difficult-to-understand legal jargon. Before you sign, make sure you fully understand what you are agreeing to in exchange for the severance pay. In addition, determining whether the money is worthwhile in comparison to any potential trade-offs and whether a better offer is possible is preferable. An employment law expert can look over your severance package and all of the information surrounding your dismissal.

• Should you sign a Charleston employment contract without first seeking legal advice?

  No. It is a good idea to have an employment contract in Charleston reviewed by an attorney before signing it. The majority of employment contracts include provisions for inventions, intellectual property, non-disclosure, and non-competition. A Charleston employment lawyer can explain the contract terms and your responsibilities. They can also help with contract negotiations before you sign anything.

• What should you do if your Charleston employer fails to pay you?

  If your Charleston employer refuses to pay your wages, you may file a lawsuit with the South Carolina Department of Labor for contract violation and a reasonable request for compensation. You may also be able to sue a company officer for unpaid wages if you can prove that they allowed their company to violate the Payment of Wages Act on purpose.

• What medical conditions are acceptable in Charleston under the FMLA?

  In Charleston, the FMLA covers time off for bonding with a newborn child, recovering from a serious health issue, or caring for a family member with a serious illness or accident. For FMLA leave to be granted due to a serious health condition, the employee must provide medical documentation of an illness or injury that prevents them from working, attending school, or performing other daily activities for more than three consecutive calendar days.

• What should a Charleston business do if a worker complains of being sexually harassed by another employee?

  An employer in Charleston is required to launch an immediate investigation into any allegations of sexual harassment made by a worker. Employers should implement a policy against sexual harassment, create an environment that does not tolerate sexual assaults, and then take the appropriate action. These complaints should always be handled carefully.

• What does an employment attorney do?

  Employment attorneys represent workers, companies, unions, and advocacy groups. Their primary job is preventing and resolving disputes related to state and federal employment regulations as well as civil rights. They assist with the development of policies, including laws and employee handbooks, and they represent clients in court and during administrative hearings overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level labor agencies.

• How much should I ask for in a discrimination lawsuit?

  Employment-related claims are among the most complex and time-consuming lawsuits heard in the civil court system. Before workers can file a lawsuit, they must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Every year, the EEOC recovers $505 million for victims of workplace discrimination. When cases proceed to court, the average settlement is approximately $40,000. However, roughly 10% of claimants receive at least $1 million.

• How do I prove discrimination in the workplace?

  Discrimination lawsuits are typically based on an established pattern of behavior in the workplace. Employment attorneys who handle these claims generally advise clients to gather evidence and document all instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse, as they occur. The following documents are often vital for proving workplace discrimination:

  • Personnel files
  • Payroll records
  • Employee handbooks
  • Diary or journal entries
  • Medical or mental health records
  • Reports from witnesses
  • Photos or video footage
  • Physical evidence

  
  

• Can I sue my company for a hostile work environment?

  Yes, offensive or unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment and affects your terms of employment may give you reason to take legal action. However, rude or abusive behavior on its own isn’t illegal. It must also be tied to other legal issues, such as retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination directed at members of a protected group.

• What is the EEOC?

  The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's a federal agency tasked with helping to enforce laws concerning discrimination in the workplace. Not all employers are covered under the EEOC. Typically, you have to work for an organization with at least 15 employees or for a labor union or agency to be covered by EEOC protections.

• How do I report an abusive boss?

  If you believe you're being discriminated against, you have several options. First, follow internal reporting procedures with human resources or other leadership. You can also file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Talking to an employment attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests.

• What laws protect employees from job discrimination?

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides employees with protection against discrimination based on a wide variety of factors, including national origin, sex, religion, race, and color.
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 applies age to the protected class.
  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963 forbids sex-based compensation discrimination.
  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of disability in terms of employment decisions.
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1991 adds more protection and power to the federal government to enforce some of these laws.

• How do I file a wrongful termination claim?

  You can file a wrongful termination claim with the EEOC online, via mail, or in person at various EEOC branch offices. You may be able to file a complaint with a state agency. To determine an appropriate plan of action and which organizations you can file with, speak to an employment lawyer.

• What is unfair treatment at work?

  Unfair treatment is not the same as unlawful treatment. There aren't laws against unfair treatment, which can include a boss who generally bullies people into action or someone who doesn't make fair decisions about time off because of nepotism or mood. Such issues may not constitute a claim for a court argument or allegation, unlike unjust judgments made on the grounds of race or age. An employment attorney can clarify if unfair treatment is also unlawful.

• What are some workers\' rights related to injury and illness?

  Employees have a variety of rights related to time off if they're injured or fall ill. For example, in workplaces covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act, workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks off without losing their position in a company. The leave is unpaid unless PTO time can be used to cover it. Employees may also have rights to file a workers' comp claim if they're injured on the job. All of these laws cover different situations and types of employers, and an employment attorney can help you understand what rights you have.

• Can an employer force you to work?

  This is a gray area in some cases, which is why it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer if you have concerns about your workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , workers have a right to refuse to work in dangerous situations. But the burden of proof that this is, in fact, the case, can weigh heavily on the employee.