Press Releases

RALEIGH—NCDOL today announces the rollout of a new process for obtaining youth employment certificates that aims to streamline the process and better ensure youths are working in safe jobs. After a soft launch in April, the new process takes effect today, May 3.

“I’m heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of Watauga County Sgt. Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox.

“On Workers’ Memorial Day, we pause to remember the men and women who lost their lives while on the job. Each one of these deaths is a tragedy, not only for the worker’s family and friends, but also for their co-workers and community. Though workplaces are safer today than in the past, all lives are precious, and any life lost in the workplace is unacceptable. My mission as Labor Commissioner, and the goal of our dedicated staff at the N.C.

The N.C. Department of Labor is now accepting applications from businesses that qualify for a workplace safety award. 

Safety awards are given to companies that have above-average worker safety and health programs. 

Read this news release about the N.C. Department of Labor implementing Executive Order No. 95, Providing Paid Leave to Eligible State Employees, effective Feb. 1, 2021.

Read this new release about the Occupational Fatality Inspection Review (OFIR) courtesy of NCDOL's Planning, Statistics and Information Management Bureau.

Read about veteran NCDOL employee, Tommy Petty, who was named the new chief of the labor department’s Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau by Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson.

North Carolina native Josh Dobson, who was elected in November as the 18th state labor commissioner, was officially sworn into office Saturday, Jan. 2.
Commissioner Dobson today announces 11 appointments that will make up his leadership team.

On Dec. 15, from noon to 3 p.m., the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will collect toys at 4 W Edenton St., in front of the Labor Building. This is the 22nd year that the N.C. Department of Labor and its Toys for Tots partners have co-hosted this annual toy drive. Because of the health concerns, this year’s drive will be a “drive-by and drop-off” event.

New figures show the nonfatal workplace injury and illness rate for the Tar Heel state’s private industry remains at a historic low for 2019 with a rate of 2.3 cases per 100 full-time workers, well below the national rate of 2.8.