North Carolina Paid Leave Local Preemption Rules

North Carolina does not require private employers to provide paid sick leave, paid family leave, or paid vacation. The Wage and Hour Act, NCGS Chapter 95 Article 2A, requires employers that voluntarily offer leave or vacation to follow their written policies but does not impose any minimum benefit. Local governments lack statutory authority to mandate paid leave for private employers and any such ordinance would conflict with state preemption principles. Federal FMLA still applies to covered employers for unpaid, job-protected leave.

Local paid leave mandates on private employers would be unenforceable; failure to follow a written employer policy can result in wage-and-hour penalties under NCGS 95-25.7A.