The below content should be reviewed in conjunction with the in-depth federal coverage of this topic provided above.

Author: Michelle Rippon, Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP

Summary

  • North Carolina does not have a statute that is analogous to Title VII. See North Carolina Laws Prohibiting Discrimination.
  • North Carolina also has an Equal Employment Practices Act which establishes as a matter of public policy that private employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from discriminating against employees on account of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap. It does not provide for a private cause of action or offer any remedies. See Equal Employment Practices Act.
  • North Carolina's Person's with Disability Protection Act prohibits discrimination against any qualified person with a disability. The definition can include both physical and mental disabilities. See Person's with Disability Protection Act.
  • Additional discrimination laws that go beyond the protected categories in Title VII include laws that prohibit discrimination based on the sickle cell trait or the hemoglobin C trait, genetic testing information, and persons having AIDS virus or HIV infection. See Unlawful Discrimination.
  • Employees who perform any military duty are protected from discrimination. See Military Personnel.
  • Employers may not discriminate against employees for the lawful use of lawful products during nonworking hours (smoker's protection). See Smoking and Lawful Off Duty Conduct.