Laura Noble Elected to the Fellows of The American Bar Foundation
The American Bar Foundation certifies that Laura L. Noble has been elected to The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. Chapel Hill, NC — The American Bar Foundation announced that Laura Noble, founder of the Noble Law Firm, has been elected to The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. The honor is selected in recognition of exemplary dedication to the profession, commitment to the work of the American Bar Foundation, and support for the ideals and objectives of the American …
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Summary of Unemployment Eligibility and Benefits in NC
In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly drastically cut benefits for individuals who lost their jobs. Here are a few things you should know about the unemployment insurance benefit in North Carolina if you have recently become separated from your employer and are considering filing a claim for benefits: Prerequisites Eligibility Benefit Amount Benefit Duration About The Noble Law Firm The Noble Law is a women-owned employment law firm with offices in North Carolina and South Carolina, founded by Laura …
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Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress at Work
Understanding the Limitations of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress in North Carolina North Carolina recognizes torts for both negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, North Carolina courts have instructed that North Carolina law does not permit an action for negligent infliction of emotional distress by an employee against an employer because the Workers’ Compensation Act preempts all claims for negligent injury by employees against employers. What is Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)? Intentional infliction of emotional distress …
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Should NC Employees Worry About the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?
Congress passed the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) in 1986 to curb hacking practices, especially against the federal government. However, the law’s broad construction lent itself to the law’s use in prosecuting or suing departing employees for unauthorized access or exceeding authorized access of company computers or networks when they download company data for their use after departure. Until a few years ago, such claims made under the CFAA by employers against departed employees were successful in some courts. …
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Moonlighting While on FMLA: Will It Get Me Fired?
The short answer is “it depends.” Does Your Employer Have a Policy Against Outside Employment? What does it depend on, you ask? Well, it depends on whether your employer has a policy against outside employment and whether the company applies and enforces such a policy consistently to all employees who takes leave. FMLA Regulations on Outside Employment In fact, the regulations promulgated under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) speak directly to this point – “If the employer has …
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Just Cause Termination: More than “Just ‘Cause” They Don’t Like You
Just Cause vs. At-Will Employment If you signed an employment contract, there’s probably a provision in the contract that governs the terms by which the contract can be terminated by your employer or by you. Often, termination of an employment contract can be immediate if done so “for cause” or “for just cause,” or a party may opt to terminate the agreement without cause with an appropriate amount of advance notice. Understanding Employment Contracts for Public and Private Employees Most …
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Laura Noble Nominated for Business NC Magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite
Laura Noble of The Noble Law Firm in Chapel Hill, NC has been nominated for Business NC Magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite in the category of Employment Law. Business NC Magazine publishes a list of winners annually. Laura was named in the magazine’s 2014 list as a winner in the Employment law category. She is thrilled to have been nominated once again by her peers.
What to Expect at a Consultation
If you’ve never met with an attorney before (or even if you have), you’re probably wondering what to expect at the consultation you’ve scheduled with an employment attorney. You should expect that the attorney will: If your attorney advises that you should move forward, it is still your choice whether you wish to do so or not. If you wish to move forward by hiring the attorney, the attorney will draft a client services agreement that you will sign and …
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President Obama to Sign Executive Order Curbing LGBT Employment Discrimination
Yesterday, President Obama pledged that he would sign an executive order that would prohibit federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Because federal contractors employ 22% of the American workforce, the impending executive order will serve as an important step in eliminating discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace. While the executive order will not protect all LGBT workers in the private labor market, it is a step in the right direction. Employment opportunities should …
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Emotional Distress Damages Allowed in Wrongful Discharge Suit
While North Carolina follows the employment at will doctrine, North Carolina courts recognize specific exceptions to that doctrine based upon a violation of public policy. If an employer terminates an employee for reasons that violate a specific expression of state public policy, the plaintiff may pursue a wrongful discharge claim to remedy the personal injury suffered. Very recently, the North Carolina Court of Appeals analyzed the kinds of damages that a jury may award in a successful wrongful discharge action. …
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