Child Labor Laws
The federal government created the Fair Labor Standards Act to disallow
children under twelve years of age from working. This working aspect
also includes agriculture. South Carolina has had difficulties keeping
this act in effect, especially in the agricultural aspect of work.
Children are often used in pick crops because their hands are smaller
and can reach into smaller places without damaging the plants, fruit,
or vegetables. Parents are however allowed to "hire" their children to
work on family farms without inhibiting the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Fair Labor Standards Act is designed to help the socio-economic
status and to protect children. When children work they are not able to
attend school, affecting their education and their futures. Illiteracy
is also a problem that can grow from child labor. In the current
economy the lack of education can strongly damage future generations as
jobs that are higher paying require education. This leads to increases
in poverty.
Agricultural working also allows children to have exposure to
pesticides and herbicides. Such toxins can have strong affects on their
health in the future, such as asthma, respiratory problems, and skin
problems. The inability to attend school also limits children's social
interactions with their peers.
Leave
South Carolina does not have its own laws in regards to medical and
family leave. Instead South Carolina uses the federal Family and
Medical Leave Act. This act was created in 1993 and allows individuals
the right to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for family or
medical purposes.
The Family and Medical Leave Act also protects an individual's job
while he or she is on leave. The twelve weeks that are annually
provided must be taken consecutively and cannot be spread throughout
the year. Maternity leave is provided under the Family and Medical
Leave Act and can also be used to allow adoptive parents to bond with
their new children.
When an individual returns from leave he or she is guaranteed his or
her former occupation or one of equal pay and benefit. While an
employee is on leave, an employer has the right to hire a temporary
employee for the twelve weeks. Those on leave cannot be terminated but
are not except from termination if a company or business has to make
reductions due to financial difficulties. Employers also have the right
to not allow employees to return early from leave or to allow them to
work part-time before the twelve weeks has concluded.
Holidays
No federal or South Carolina law requires employers to provide holidays
or holiday pay for their employees. Federal law states that businesses
and companies have the right to be in business three hundred sixty-five
days of the year, including Sundays and holidays. Employers may choose
to pay their employees more on holidays or to allow them to take
holidays off.
Such policies are legally required to be written and presented to the
employees. Federal holidays are not stipulated for all employees. These
kinds of holidays are designed for government entities and the postal
service.