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Labor laws in North Carolina can be tricky to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with local employment laws. Labor laws greatly favor employers over employees, so knowing your rights is essential before starting a new job or leaving one. North Carolina is an at-will employment state, which means an employer can treat its employees as it sees fit unless there’s a specific law to protect employees or an explicit employment contract. Though it might not be pleasant, an employer is entirely within their legal right to assign an employee “demeaning” tasks and terminate an employee for any reason, including no reason at all. 

North Carolina Employment and Labor Laws

Child Labor Laws | How to Report a Violation

Child labor laws in the United States are federal and state regulations designed to protect children from exploitation and unsafe working conditions. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the primary federal law governing child labor, which prohibits children under 16 years old from working in hazardous jobs and limits the hours they can work. States may have additional child labor laws, but they cannot permit work that is prohibited under federal law. Learn more by reading this page.

What Is the Average Settlement for Employment Lawsuits? [2023]

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against job applicants and employees, there are thousands of cases of employment discrimination every year in the United States. Recent data shows that in 2019, 61% of American employees (three out of five) said they had witnessed or personally experienced workplace discrimination.

What Is the Average Settlement for Employment Lawsuits?

employment lawyer cost

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against job applicants and employees, there are thousands of cases of employment discrimination every year in the United States. Recent data shows that in 2019, 61% of American employees (three out of five) said they had witnessed or personally experienced workplace discrimination. When it comes to these violations, seeking the help of a qualified employment attorney is likely the quickest and most efficient path toward reaching an appropriate resolution for employees and employers alike. 

How Much Does an Employment Attorney Cost? [2023]

How To File a Lawsuit Against Your Employer

Under federal and state laws, employees have specific rights and protections to ensure ethical employer-employee relationships. However, some corporations and other employers don’t abide by the regulations and try to deny workers their legal rights, pay, and benefits. Employers can skirt the law in a variety of ways, and common lawsuits filed against employers include discrimination and harassment, workplace-related injury, and wage and hour violations.

HTH-employmentlawyer hero

An employment lawyer can be your best asset in fighting workplace discrimination, harassment, unequal pay, employer retaliation or wrongful termination. 

How To Hire An Employment Lawyer

When To Hire an Employment Lawyer and What to Expect

Employment lawsuits are becoming increasingly common in the United States, with a growing number of employees seeking legal assistance to address labor law violations in the workplace. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), there were over 60,000 charges of discrimination in 2021. If you are an employee who has experienced a labor law violation, protecting your rights and seeking justice may be necessary.

Unlawful Terminations | Know Your Rights

Unlawful termination, also known as wrongful dismissal, occurs when an employer terminates an employee violating their legal rights. This violation can take many forms, including discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, violation of public policy, or whistleblowing. Unfortunately, wrongful dismissals happen frequently in the United States, with many employees suffering from unfair treatment and the resulting financial and emotional damage.

Labor Unions: Know Your Rights

Labor unions, also called trade unions or unions, are an important part of the American labor force. There are pros and cons to being a union member, but many of the long-established labor laws in this country geared toward protecting workers’ rights would not exist without them. International, national, state, or local unions can be found in the private business sector. Labor unions have a long and complicated history in this country and abroad. The potential to form unions is often met with pushback

Labor Unions | Know Your Rights

The Raleigh Police Department's non-emergency line is 919-831-6311.

To obtain a police report, you have two options. First, you can access the online system at <a href="http://crash.raleighpd.org/">http://crash.raleighpd.org/</a>. This allows you to retrieve a copy of the report electronically. Alternatively, you can email the Raleigh Police Department's Records division staff at <a href="mailto:police.records@raleighnc.gov">police.records@raleighnc.gov</a> to request the document.

Common employment issues in Raleigh include:
<ul>
<li>Overtime and Unpaid Wages: When an employer doesn't compensate an employee for hours worked outside of their regular schedule or for working over 40 hours in a workweek</li>
<li>Harassment: Unwelcome discriminatory behavior that turns a work setting into one that is hostile, intimidating, or demeaning.</li>
<li>Discrimination: When an employee is unfairly treated due to their religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or genetic information.</li>
<li>Family and Medical Leave: Refusal of an eligible employee to take unpaid job-protected leave and maintain health insurance coverage for certain family and medical purposes.</li>
<li>Retaliation: Punishment of an employee or job applicant for participating in a legally protected activity, such as claiming the right to be free from discrimination and harassment.</li>
</ul>

There are several reasons why wage and hour claims are common in Raleigh, including:
<ul>
<li>Employers do not know it is their duty to pay employees on time.</li>
<li>Employers are unaware that if an employee is fired, incentives and commissions are due.</li>
<li>Some businesses consider withholding employees' paychecks when they are experiencing financial difficulties.</li>
<li>Although rare, some companies consider underpaying, abusing, and even stealing from their workers to be acceptable business practices.</li>
</ul>

If you have experienced discrimination or a violation of your employment rights in Raleigh, you may be eligible for financial compensation to address the damages you have suffered. These include:
<ul>
<li>Back pay</li>
<li>Front pay</li>
<li>Reinstatement</li>
<li>Liquidated damages</li>
<li>Retroactive seniority</li>
<li>Compensation for emotional distress</li>
<li>Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses</li>
<li>Punitive damages</li>
<li>Attorney's fees</li>
</ul>

Employment attorneys play a crucial role in safeguarding your rights as an employee. An employment lawyer in Raleigh can:
<ul>
<li>Explain&nbsp;your rights and the applicable North Carolina employment laws</li>
<li>Gather proof of unfair treatment or discrimination</li>
<li>Make sure you meet the filing dates and keep your case moving</li>
<li>Examine your employment agreements </li>
<li>Analyze and determine probable front and back pay, if necessary</li>
<li>Give guidance and suggest suitable legal action</li>
<li>Mediate between you and your employer</li>
<li>Help you submit a claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)</li>
<li>Act as your legal representative in a civil lawsuit against your employer</li>
</ul>

To secure a fair severance payout in Raleigh, it is recommended to seek an impartial third party to assess the offer details and documents. An employment lawyer can offer guidance on whether the proposed package aligns with standard practices, considering factors such as your tenure, experience, and relevant variables. They can also clarify your rights and obligations under any agreements and advocate for improved compensation tailored to your unique circumstances. Even if a severance package is not explicitly stated in your employment contract or at the end of a contract, it is possible to negotiate one through mediation. While success is not guaranteed, taking the initiative to negotiate the terms of your termination is a wise decision.

Employment attorneys represent workers, companies, unions, and advocacy groups. Their primary job is preventing and resolving disputes related to state and federal employment regulations as well as civil rights. They assist with the development of policies, including laws and employee handbooks, and they represent clients in court and during administrative hearings overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level labor agencies.

Employment-related claims are among the most complex and time-consuming lawsuits heard in the civil court system. Before workers can file a lawsuit, they must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Every year, the EEOC recovers $505 million for victims of workplace discrimination. When cases proceed to court, the average settlement is approximately $40,000. However, roughly 10% of claimants receive at least $1 million.

Discrimination lawsuits are typically based on an established pattern of behavior in the workplace. Employment attorneys who handle these claims generally advise clients to gather evidence and document all instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse, as they occur. The following documents are often vital for proving workplace discrimination:<ul><li>Personnel files</li><li>Payroll records</li><li>Employee handbooks</li><li>Diary or journal entries</li><li>Medical or mental health records</li><li>Reports from witnesses</li><li>Photos or video footage</li><li>Physical evidence</li></ul>

Yes, offensive or unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment and affects your terms of employment may give you reason to take legal action. However, rude or abusive behavior on its own isn’t illegal. It must also be tied to other legal issues, such as retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination directed at members of a protected group.

The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's a federal agency tasked with helping to enforce laws concerning discrimination in the workplace. Not all employers are covered under the EEOC. Typically, you have to work for an organization with at least 15 employees or for a labor union or agency to be covered by EEOC protections.

If you believe you're being discriminated against, you have several options. First, follow internal reporting procedures with human resources or other leadership. You can also file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Talking to an employment attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests.

<ul><li>The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides employees with protection against discrimination based on a wide variety of factors, including national origin, sex, religion, race, and color.</li><li>The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 applies age to the protected class.</li><li>The Equal Pay Act of 1963 forbids sex-based compensation discrimination.</li><li>The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of disability in terms of employment decisions.</li><li>The Civil Rights Act of 1991 adds more protection and power to the federal government to enforce some of these laws.</li></ul>

You can file a wrongful termination claim with the EEOC online, via mail, or in person at various EEOC branch offices. You may be able to file a complaint with a state agency. To determine an appropriate plan of action and which organizations you can file with, speak to an employment lawyer.

Unfair treatment is not the same as unlawful treatment. There aren't laws against unfair treatment, which can include a boss who generally bullies people into action or someone who doesn't make fair decisions about time off because of nepotism or mood. Such issues may not constitute a claim for a court argument or allegation, unlike unjust judgments made on the grounds of race or age. An employment attorney can clarify if unfair treatment is also unlawful.

Employees have a variety of rights related to time off if they're injured or fall ill. For example, in workplaces covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act, workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks off without losing their position in a company. The leave is unpaid unless PTO time can be used to cover it. Employees may also have rights to file a workers' comp claim if they're injured on the job. All of these laws cover different situations and types of employers, and an employment attorney can help you understand what rights you have.

This is a gray area in some cases, which is why it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer if you have concerns about your workplace. According to the <a href="http://www.osha.gov/workers/">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a> , workers have a right to refuse to work in dangerous situations. But the burden of proof that this is, in fact, the case, can weigh heavily on the employee.