North Carolina is an “employment at will” state which means that without an employment contract you can be terminated at any time, unless your employer’s decision was based upon discriminatory illegal considerations such as race, gender, national origin, color, or disability.
In addition to the anti-discrimination protections provided by state and federal law, North Carolina law prohibits employers from terminating or retaliating against an employee for participating in protected activities or opposing employment practices which are illegal or abhorrent to the public interest.
You can’t be treated unfairly, harassed, punished or terminated for these reasons or for taking advantage of your rights under the Civil Rights Act, the Workers Compensation Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, or a host of other state and/or federal laws. Employers must also follow their own policies and guidelines for termination if they have binding written policies in place.
