The state of South Carolina utilizes a market-based classification and compensation system. In addition, both state agencies and institutions of higher education have unclassified state titles.

Sick Leave Eligibility

Employees in full-time equivalent (FTE) positions who are scheduled to work at least one-half of the workweek on a 12-month basis or the equivalent of one-half of the workweek during the full school or academic year of nine months or more are eligible to earn sick leave.

If the part-time employee is scheduled to work at least one-half of the workweek of the agency, the employee is eligible to earn sick leave on a pro-rata basis.

On May 13, 2022, Governor Henry McMaster signed into law S. 11, which added Section 8-11-150 (A) and amends Section 8-11-155 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, to provide six weeks of paid leave at one hundred percent of the eligible state employee’s base pay or two weeks of paid leave at one hundred percent of the eligible state employee’s base pay depending on the qualifying event. Leave for part-time eligible state employees must be on a prorated basis corresponding to the percentage of hours they are normally scheduled to work.

Other Types of Leave

Other Types of Leave (.pdf)

References

• State Human Resources Regulations Section 19-712 (.pdf)

Leave Transfer Program

Leave Transfer General Information (.pdf)

Hazardous Weather

References:

• S.C. Code Section 8-11-57
• State HR Regulations Section 19-712.01 (I) (.pdf)

Hazardous Weather Information (.pdf)

December 2025 Holiday Sale at the South Carolina State House Tour Office and Gift Shop

Annual Leave Eligibility

Employees in Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions who are scheduled to work at least half of the workdays of the month are eligible to earn annual leave. Eligible employees begin to accrue leave during their first month of employment. Teaching personnel and officials of academic rank at institutions of higher learning do not earn annual leave under these regulations.

An employee who works less than 12 months a year accrues annual leave at the same rate as other employees in FTE positions, but only for the months the employee is in a paid status.

The state of South Carolina offers its employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance, retirement and savings plan options and paid vacation and sick leave. The benefits calculator found here (.xls) can be used to approximate the monetary value of these benefits providing a complete picture of an employee's compensation package. 

Mediation is a process whereby a mediator, who is an impartial third party, acts to encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute without prescribing what it should be. Mediation aims to help the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The Statewide Mediators Pool has been established as a resource for state agencies seeking a neutral third party to assist in resolving employment disputes at an early stage.

Registered mediators with the Statewide Mediators Pool are individuals from various state agencies who: