Welcome to the Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Bureau

The Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Bureau investigates complaints filed in good faith by employees who believe that their employers retaliated against them for engaging in certain protected activities.  These protected activities are defined by the NC Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA).  REDA protects employees from retaliation for inquiring about or filing claims under the NC Workers’ Compensation Act, the NC Wage and Hour Act, the NC Occupational Safety and Health Act, and eight other North Carolina statutes.  For instance, workers are protected for exercising certain rights if they are members of the National Guard, are involved in a juvenile justice proceeding, or seeking court assistance under laws prohibiting domestic violence.

The Bureau investigates complaints which allege a violation of REDA and makes determinations as to whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the employer retaliated against the employee and violated REDA.   Complaints are assigned to a discrimination investigator who gathers evidence and interviews witnesses and makes a “no merit” or a “merit” determination.  The Bureau may also assist consenting parties in settlement discussions.  On occasion, the Commissioner of Labor may bring suit on behalf of an employee. After a determination is made and if the case is not settled, the Bureau issues the Complainant a 90-Day Right-to-Sue letter which permits the Complainant to pursue a claim against the employer in superior court. Bureau staff are also available to answer questions from the public about REDA and to make referrals to other agencies as appropriate.