Wage & Hour Bureau

The Wage and Hour Bureau is responsible for enforcement of the N.C. Wage and Hour Act, Controlled Substance Examination Regulation Act, Private Personnel Services Act and the Job Listing Services Act. The Bureau uses a combination of education and outreach efforts and regulatory investigations to assure compliance with these laws.

The Wage and Hour Act includes employee protection for minimum wage and overtime payments, payment of promised wages not normally covered by law, youth employment, and recordkeeping. The minimum wage, overtime and youth employment provisions generally parallel the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and apply to all businesses whose annual dollar volume is under $500,000. The minimum wage rate is currently $6.55 an hour in North Carolina.

Overtime is based on hours actually worked in a workweek and is generally paid for hours in excess of 40. Some exceptions and alternate methods of calculation are allowed. Written notification of promised wages, including changes, is required.

Youth employment certificates are required for all youth under the age of 18. Restrictions on hours of work and occupations apply to youths under 18. Some exemptions are allowed for public sector, domestic, and agricultural employers.

The Controlled Substance Examination Act sets procedural standards that employers must follow when conducting drug testing of applicants and employees. The act does not protect employees from adverse actions taken by employers as a result of test results.

The Private Personnel Services and Job Listing Services Act establish license, certification, and notification requirements of agencies that provide information or services leading to employment of a client.

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1101 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1101 •  (919) 807-2796 or 800-NCLABOR