How to Find South Carolina Minimum Wage Laws

Minimum wage laws exist to improve profitability and ethics in the workplace and the quality of life in the private sector. While the United States government has federal minimum wage laws in effect, most states have their own laws regarding minimum wage. Because South Carolina is one of only five states that do not have their own minimum wage laws, federal standards dictate the minimum wage there. Read on for more information.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Learn More About South Carolina Minimum Wage Laws

1. Be aware that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides limited exceptions that permit payment of wages lower than the national standard. Conditions that allow exemption include the employment of full-time students, individuals under the age of 20, employees who earn tips and those in training for the first 90 days of employment.
2. Check to see if your occupation is exempt from federal minimum wage laws in South Carolina under the Fair Labor Standards Act (see Resources below).
3. Report noncompliance with minimum wage laws to the Wage and Hour Division Offices of South Carolina (see Resources below), or consult an attorney experienced in employment and labor law.

Advocate to Change South Carolina Minimum Wage Laws

4. Get the facts. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 4.6 percent of the population of South Carolina currently lives at or below the poverty level, despite working 40 or more hours per week, compared with the national rate of 4.1 percent.
5. Write to your state governor and your legislators and urge them to improve minimum wage laws in South Carolina. To date, neither has ever introduced a bill to do so.
6. Know that the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 proposes an increase in the federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour by March 2009.

Tips & Warnings

• Employers must comply with federal regulations governing the minimum wage standard or face fines for noncompliance, litigation fees and payment of restitution for underpaid earnings.