04/Resources
NCWA documents and organises. These are the outside organizations that investigate, enforce, and represent. Every one of them is independent of us — we do not work for them, and they do not work for us.
01/Outside organizations
We list them because they are the ones with the legal authority to investigate or represent. Contacting them is entirely your decision — NCWA does not file, refer formally, or transmit anything on your behalf.
State of North Carolina · State agency
The state agency responsible for labor standards, workplace safety oversight, wage and hour enforcement, and private employment agency registration in North Carolina.
Typically handles
Wage and hour complaints, workplace safety citations, child labor, and labor standards.
A separate state government agency. NCWA has no affiliation with NCDOL.
Federal agency · Federal agency
The federal agency responsible for enforcing federal employment discrimination statutes, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Typically handles
Discrimination and harassment charges based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability.
A separate federal government agency. NCWA is not a partner of or representative for the EEOC.
U.S. Department of Labor · Federal agency
The federal workplace safety regulator responsible for inspections, citations, and abatement of unsafe working conditions under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Typically handles
Physical hazards, unsafe equipment, chemical exposure, fall protection, and workplace injuries.
A separate federal government agency. NCWA is not affiliated with OSHA.
Federal agency · Federal agency
The federal department that oversees labor standards, worker protections, and employment-related programs across the country.
Typically handles
Federal labor standards, whistleblower programs, and worker protection guidance.
A separate federal government agency with no relationship to NCWA.
Nonprofit legal aid · Legal aid nonprofit
A statewide nonprofit network of legal aid programs that may review employment matters for people who qualify financially, subject to availability and area of practice.
Typically handles
Employment questions for eligible low-income North Carolina residents.
An independent nonprofit. NCWA is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation.
Links to external government and nonprofit sites. External content is outside NCWA control and is not an endorsement, partnership, or referral agreement.
02/Where to start
This is orientation, not legal advice. Deadlines apply to some of these processes and they differ from the deadlines of others — if a deadline matters, confirm it directly with the agency.
Wage, hour, overtime, or minimum wage issues
Organization
NC Department of Labor
The state agency handling wage and hour complaints and labor standards enforcement in North Carolina.
Discrimination or harassment based on a protected characteristic
Organization
U.S. EEOC
The federal agency enforcing federal employment discrimination statutes.
Physical hazards, unsafe equipment, or workplace injuries
Organization
OSHA
The federal workplace safety regulator conducting inspections and issuing citations.
You need someone to review your documents
Organization
Legal aid organizations
Nonprofit legal aid programs that may review matters for people who qualify, subject to availability.
03/Independence
Every agency and nonprofit listed on this page is a separate legal entity with its own authority, jurisdiction, and process. NCWA has no affiliation, partnership, funding relationship, referral agreement, or representation agreement with any of them. We do not file with them, and they do not act for us.
No funding
NCWA receives no government funding or agency grants.
No referral pipeline
We do not send intake records to any agency.
No representation
We do not appear before any body on anyone’s behalf.
Full disclaimer
North Carolina Workplace Advocates is an independent private organization. NCWA is not affiliated with the State of North Carolina, NCDOL, OSHA, EEOC, or any governmental agency. NCWA is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation or legal advice.
Read the complete disclaimer