Legislature approves bill for worker handbooks

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill that clarifies an employee handbook could be considered a contract unless it is clearly marked with a disclaimer is headed to Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.

House members have tried for years to get a bill passed that said a handbook was not a contract, but found the Senate would not go along with the concept.

The General Assembly agreed Thursday on a bill that says handbooks, personnel manuals and other documents need a clear disclaimer to say they are not contracts. Employees also must sign the disclaimer.

Lawmaker wanted the clarification because state law allows employers to fire workers for any or no reason as long as no contract has been signed.

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Employment bill: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess115_2003-2004/bills/3448.htm