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North Carolina Employment Discrimination Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: Employment/Retaliation Lawsuit

I was let go from my job in 8/2019 due to retaliation. In 11/2019 I filed a complaint with the EEOC but it was dismissed due to it being out of their scope, the company was too small. Long story short the company I worked for had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy which is still in process. Prior to being... View More

David Luther Woodward
David Luther Woodward
answered on Oct 14, 2020

The best thing you can do at this time is to consult a bankruptcy lawyer that has no relationship to the pending matter.

This is too convoluted and involved to address in a Q&A column like this.

Good luck

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Q: twice in 2020 my company forced me to quarantine for 14 days (28 total) without pay. this was in a 4.5 month span.

because of this I have left the company to find a better fit for me and I want to know if I can sue them for the lack of pay as it caused me to surrender a vehicle in my name and lose major credit score points?

Kyle Anderson
Kyle Anderson
answered on Aug 27, 2020

More information is required to fully analyze your claim. If you needed to quarantine because you came into contact with covid-19 or needed time off to care for a child whose school or daycare shut down for reasons related to covid-19, and your employer has less than 500 employees, you may be... View More

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Q: twice in 2020 my company forced me to quarantine for 14 days (28 total) without pay. this was in a 4.5 month span.

because of this I have left the company to find a better fit for me and I want to know if I can sue them for the lack of pay as it caused me to surrender a vehicle in my name and lose major credit score points?

Kyle Anderson
Kyle Anderson
answered on Aug 27, 2020

More information is required to fully analyze your claim. If you needed to quarantine because you came into contact with covid-19 or needed time off to care for a child whose school or daycare shut down for reasons related to covid-19, and your employer has less than 500 employees, you may be... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: Hi my dad is special needs and he worked for this place for 15 yrs and they only paid him 7.25 the whole time can we sue

I mean he serve special needs he don’t read or write only his name alittle not only did he work there for 15 yrs the fired him for eating a piece of ham he didn’t pay for but honestly I feel it was paid in full by never having a raise and it’s not a mom and pop restaurant it’s k and w there... View More

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Jun 4, 2020

Unfortunately, minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and the law does not require pay increases except when the minimum wage increases. Now, if they did not pay him for all hours worked or did not pay him for overtime worked, he still might have a claim.

Q: If a respondent objects to answering interrogatories on grounds of broad, burdensome, how can I respond to get the info?

95% of my requests were responded this way. I am pro se in arbitration in a labor case on issues of discrimination, retaliation, and constructive discharge. I have no money for an attorney.

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Apr 26, 2020

Send a letter to the other party's attorney telling them you need the answer within a certain period for example 10 days or two weeks of the date of your letter to them. Offer to talk about the information and why you need it. See if you can work out a deal to get all the information or your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for North Carolina on
Q: I was off the schedule to work and they tried calling me into work, they are threatening to fire me if I don’t come in..

Is this legal?

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Sep 25, 2019

Yes, they can fire you if you do not come in. You would not have a legal claim unless you were out due to something like jury duty, military service or FMLA.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: Hello, is it against the law for a manager to ask and have a discussion about my medications with my coworkers?

I was out from work for 2 days because of my panic attacks. Today is the third day and my coworker just told me that my manager was asking him about my medications and in front of my coworker while I am not there. I am so embarrassed and upset that my manager is asking my coworker about my... View More

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on May 23, 2019

In this scenario, most like this is not unlawful. Employers with 15 or more employees are required to keep employee medical information once they receive such information from the employee or a third party on the employee's behalf (a doctor for example). However, asking about your medications... View More

Q: I have separated from my fiance. He is now harassing me and my friends. Can I get a restraining order?

He also is unwilling to give me the money owed me according to our business contract and he also is not allowing me access to get the rest of my things from his home. What should I do?

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on May 23, 2019

If the facts are as bad as you say, you can get a restraining order--and an order allowing you to get your things. But if you do owe him any money, you might see a lawsuit soon.

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for North Carolina on
Q: I am bullied daily at work. complained but no results. I have had severe emotional stress/suicidal thoughts. Can I sue?
Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Apr 20, 2019

Possible, but likely not. Workplace bullying is not unlawful in this state. The only time that you would be able to file a claim for bullying is if it arises to the level of unlawful harassment (pretty much synonymous with the term "hostile environment." Harassment is unlawful only if it... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for North Carolina on
Q: Hi, I started working at a IGA store in my town where I noticed I was being underpaid the agreed wage rate.

I'm headed in for a meeting with the store manager later in the day, though my fear is that my request for being paid my lost wages and switching all my hours for the lower wage to the vastly superior wage. I'm an hourly worker and I have a few coworkers with a similar problem.

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Apr 14, 2019

If the employer is not paying you a promised wage, you can file a complaint for free with the North Carolina Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Bureau. Search online and their website will give you information on filing via phone.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for North Carolina on
Q: I am paid on salary. If my boss asks me to stay longer than my shift to train without pay. If I left, could he fire me?

My boss says the training is required, but it was not in my contract.

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Feb 13, 2019

Yes, he can lawfully fire you for leaving. In fact, whether you are paid hourly or salary, non-exempt or exempt, you can be fired for leaving if your employer expects or demands that you stay beyond your shift.

You mentioned a contract. If it is actually an enforceable employment contract,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: I have a friend that's a manager an gets paid salery.. can they suspend him indefinatly without pay for getting arrested
Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Jan 14, 2019

Yes. North Carolina is an employment-at-wills state where an employer can take any action it wants against an employee for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all. As such, your friend's employer can suspend him at any time for any reason. Also, If your friend is not working, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: Can a religious nonprofit that receives federal aid choose to not hire me because of a hearing disability?

They say they are an equal opportunity employer, but do not want to hire me because of hearing loss.

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Nov 23, 2018

The employer may be able to based on a US Supreme Court case that expanded the "ministerial" exemption in employment law. It is a complex issue that you will need to consult directly with an experienced employment attorney about to get a specific answer.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: My 59 year old father recently lost his job.

The majority of his coworkers were decades younger, and he suspects he was ousted due to his age. How can he prove that?

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Nov 4, 2018

Very complex question with no easy or simple answer. If he believes he was terminated due to age, he will need to file with the EEOC. However, it is very important for him to consult with an experienced employment attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for North Carolina on
Q: Could this be an example of unequal pay?

My male coworker is paid $17k more than me per year. I know because he left his paystub up on his computer screen, when he asked me to help him with something at this desk. We have the same exact job responsibilities. This person only has a couple more years of industry experience than myself and... View More

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Sep 6, 2018

Paying a male more than a female may be a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and/or the Equal Pay Act which requires employers to pay females the same as males for the same work. However, there are a number of defenses possible under... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for North Carolina on
Q: can I force an exempt employee to take a week furlough with no pay if he’s the only one that will be off of work?
Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Sep 6, 2018

In general, under our Wage and Hour law, an employer is not required to pay an exempt employee's salary for any whole day the employee is absent from work for any reason. This is in general, so I recommend you consult with an experienced employer side attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Personal Injury for North Carolina on
Q: injured at work pushing wheelchairs and am now in a medical boot. I was told I can’t Return to whiling wearing boot
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 4, 2018

If you have to have the boot you should be eligible for workers compensation. If they give you a problem contact a member of the NC Assn for Justice who handles workers comp. They give free consults.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Workers' Compensation for North Carolina on
Q: Can you be layed off from work a couple days after coming back from a workers comp ingury?
Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Sep 3, 2018

Yes, you can be laid off or fired at any time for any reason. However, you may have a legal claim in certain circumstances. For example, if you are fired solely because you reported or filed a workers comp claim, if you were fired because you took FMLA time off work to deal with the on-the-job... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Employment Discrimination and Health Care Law for North Carolina on
Q: My employer keeps asking me to quit because he said i was a health risk and isnt paying me right. Do I have a case?

they have messed up my paycheck since i started i get paid 15 hrly but one paycheck says 14.99 and its like they are not trying to pay me the overtime im owed, ive been going to the doctor for a medical reason regarding me working for the employer but he sees me as a health risk and he wants me to... View More

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Jul 11, 2018

If your employer is not paying you the promised wage, and has not notified you in writing that the promised wage changed, then you can file a claim for the unpaid portion. In this case it appears that would be one cent.

In general, just talking to you about resigning or even encouraging you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination for North Carolina on
Q: Can I sue my place of employment for retaliation and discrimination?

Hello,

My boss and I got into a heated disagreement. Afterwords I told my co-worker I needed to leave because I was so upset . The next day I reached out to another co-worker to cover my shift which is protocol when we know we'll be calling out. The next day my boss sends me an e-mail... View More

Kirk Angel
Kirk Angel
answered on Jun 20, 2018

If you did not resign, I would not "hand in a resignation." However, your employer has the right to just fire you instead. This may be retaliation, but it would not be unlawful retaliation for which you can file an employment claim. As for the discrimination, if you have lost your job... View More

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