NCDOL recovers record $3.7M in unpaid wages for NC workers

A record-breaking $3.7 million in unpaid wages have been recovered by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) for workers in 89 of the state’s 100 counties.

North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley made the announcement Tuesday morning.

The recovery was for the state Fiscal Year 2026, and a significant increase from last year’s announcement of more than $2.5 million in unpaid wages.

“Today is a win for workers,” he said in a press release. “It’s a win for the people who show up every day, put in the hours and do the job. When a worker comes forward with a concern, they should know that the North Carolina Department of Labor is committed to helping them. Most businesses want to comply with the law, and our goal is always to work with them toward voluntary compliance.”

The recovered wages come from 2,199 complaints investigated by NCDOL’s Wage and Hour Bureau. It enforces the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, which ensures that employees receive the compensation they’re legally owed using compliance assistance, and enforcement actions.

Wake County had 332 complaints that totaled $722,862.85, the most in recovered wages, while Bladen County had one complaint with the least recovered at $133.

The cases involved a wide range of violations, including unpaid final paychecks, withheld commissions, overtime shortfalls, and improper deductions across industries such as construction, retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture.

Workers who believe they are owed any type of wages, including regular wages, final paychecks; commissions, bonuses or vacation pay promised in writing, or money lost through unauthorized deductions, are encouraged to submit a complaint to NCDOL by going to the website or call 1-800-625-2267.

Increase in Elevator device permits signifies growing NC economy, says farley

Another sign that North Carolina’s economy keeps on growing is the number of new elevator device permits across the state.

According to a recent press release from Farley’s office, there were 214 new device permits across the state for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, which ended in June, a 2.9% increase from a year ago. Total device permits for the FY 2026 was 721.

The top five counties for new permits include: Mecklenburg, 47; Wake, 44; Durham, 19; New Hanover, 17; and Guilford, 10.

NCDOL’s Quarterly Elevator Index provides insight into construction activity and broader economic development trends, highlighting continued investment in communities across North Carolina.

“The continued growth in elevator permits is another sign of North Carolina’s strong economy and ongoing development,” Farley said in the press release. “As construction continues across our state, the NC Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring every elevator system is installed, inspected, and operated safely.”

“NCDOL recovers record $3.7M in unpaid wages for NC workers” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.