Employees who are fired for cause would not be able to receive any unemployment benefits under a bill introduced in the South Carolina Senate Tuesday.
State Sen. Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson)
Sen. Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg) drafted the legislation after learning of a new state Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) policy that would limit a fired employee to no more than four weeks of unemployment benefits. Bright said those employees should not receive the benefits at all.
Although state law already declares a fired employee ineligible for benefits, but that employee can appeal the firing and apply for benefits in the meantime.
Sen. Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) said once a worker is paid any state benefits, even if it is for only one week, that employee is still eligible for an additional 57 weeks of federal extensions.
SCDEW’s new policy, which took effect two weeks ago, would cover those fired for absenteeism, poor attitude, violating rules, or poor work quality. Bryant says the rules do not go far enough.
