What are the North Carolina laws regarding wage discrimination?
The applicable state wage discrimination law is the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA), which states that “it is the public policy of the state is to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all persons to seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination or abridgement on account of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap by employers which regularly employ 15 or more employees.” 35 North Carolina courts, however, have generally held that the NCEEPA does not authorize a private cause of action and is merely a public policy statement.36 Furthermore, the NCEEPA does not provide any remedies for violations.37 A North Carolina federal district court has gone so far as to hold that federal courts should dismiss claims brought under the NCEEPA until the North Carolina courts and/or legislature define a cause of action. 38 Can I bring a wage discrimination claim under North Carolina law? Given the information above, it may be best to pursue
