What is wrongful termination in South Carolina?

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South Carolina recognizes   at-will employment   with notable exceptions for public policy and implied contracts from handbooks.    1. Ludwick Public Policy Exception    Ludwick v. This Minute of Carolina, Inc. , 287 S.C. 219 (1985), recognized a wrongful discharge tort for terminations contravening clear public policy. The Supreme Court has limited  Ludwick  to: - Termination for refusing to violate the law ( Ludwick  itself). - Termination violating a constitutional or statutory right.  The court has   declined to extend    Ludwick  to general whistleblowing absent statutory authority.    2. Implied Contract from Handbook — Small Doctrine    Small v. Springs Industries, Inc. , 292 S.C. 481 (1987), held that handbook language using   "mandatory" or definite terms   creates an implied contract modifying at-will employment. This is unusual among Southern states.    Disclaimers  : Under S.C. Code § 41-1-110, handbooks must contain a   conspicuous disclaimer   in   underlined capital letters on the first page   to preserve at-will status. Missing or inadequate disclaimers = implied contract.    3. South Carolina Human Affairs Law — S.C. Code § 1-13-80   Prohibits discrimination based on   race, religion, color, sex, age (40+), national origin, or disability  . Applies to employers with   15+ employees  . File with   South Carolina Human Affairs Commission within 180 days  .    4. Whistleblower Statutes   -   Public sector  : S.C. Code § 8-27-10 (Employee Disclosure of Mismanagement). -   Private sector  : very limited — must rely on  Ludwick  or specific federal statutes.    5. Workers' Comp Retaliation — S.C. Code § 41-1-80   Codifies protection against termination for filing workers' comp.    6. Pregnancy Accommodations — S.C. Code § 1-13-30   2018 South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act.    7. WARN Act   Federal WARN applies; no state WARN.    8. Damages    Ludwick  allows compensatory and punitive damages. Punitive subject to general SC cap of $500,000 or 3x compensatory.    9. Statute of Limitations   -  Ludwick  tort:   3 years   (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). - SCHAL: 180 days to SCHAC; 1 year after right-to-sue. - Workers' comp retaliation: 3 years.  This is legal information, not legal advice.