EMPLOYMENT:

 

2003 Omnibus Labor Law Changes (H 1129) (SL 2003-308): Chapter 95 is amended to conform with expanded service options in Rule 4 of the Rules of Civil Procedure.  Other technical changes are made to the Wage and Hour Act and the Private Personnel Services Act.  The Wage and Hour Act is amended to repeal N.C.G.S. 95-25.3A, the section on training wages.  The changes to the Private Personnel Services Act involve who shall pay costs of publication and background investigations.  The bill also expands the time deadlines for determination of whether or not a private personnel service operator receives a license.  The act states the law became effective July 1, 2003, but the bill was not actually signed into law until July 4, 2003. 

 

Omnibus Employment Security Changes (S 439) (SL 2003-220): This bill makes a number of changes to the Employment Security Laws including no disqualification of unemployment benefits for workers who have to leave work because of a disability or health condition of a minor child in their custody, an aged or disabled parent, or a disabled member of the immediate family.  The benefits provided to an employee who must be separated from work because of a family hardship will not be charged against the last employer. 

 

Victims of domestic violence who are separated from work because of circumstances related to the violence may receive unemployment benefits.  This bill expands the proof that a victim may provide to prove he or she is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. 

 

The bill also makes permanent part-time workers eligible for benefits.  This section does not apply to students or seasonal workers who work part-time.