Unemployment if you quit or were fired in North Carolina

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

If you quit, you are disqualified unless you left for good cause attributable to your employer. The burden of showing good cause is on you.

Examples the state names:

• A permanent cut in your work hours of more than 50% made by the employer alone (presumed good cause)
• A permanent cut in your rate of pay of more than 15% made by the employer alone (presumed good cause)
• Leaving to go with your spouse to a new home because of a military reassignment
• Leaving because of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, if you reasonably believe staying would put you or your immediate family in danger

If you were fired

You are disqualified if you were fired for misconduct connected with the work. The law defines misconduct as willful or wanton disregard of the employer's interest, or carelessness so serious or repeated that it shows intentional disregard. It lists examples that count as misconduct unless you show otherwise, such as violating a written drug or alcohol policy, violence at work, theft, falsifying documents, violating a written attendance policy, or three written reprimands in 12 months for refusing or failing to do assigned work.

If benefits are denied for the separation

A disqualification for quitting without good cause or for misconduct lasts for the whole claim. It can be removed only by filing a new valid claim based on later work with a 'bona fide' employer (a job for an indefinite period or more than 30 days).

Refusing work

Refusing suitable work, not applying for suitable work when told to by DES, or refusing a recall to work without good cause disqualifies you for the remaining weeks of your claim.

Law: N.C. Gen. Stat. 96-14.1(c), 96-14.5, 96-14.6, 96-14.8, 96-14.11

Official source: Source page

You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.

Able, available and looking for work

Job contacts per week: 3

Starting the week you file, you must make at least three job contacts each week. They can be three different employers or the same employer for different jobs. One contact can be replaced by attending a job fair or workshop at an NCWorks Career Center or partner agency. You must enter your work search in MyNCUIBenefits before you can file your weekly certification. During your first 10 weeks you must accept work that matches your skills and experience; after that, a job paying at least 120% of your weekly benefit amount counts as suitable work.

Records to keep

Keep a log of each employer contacted, how you contacted them and the date. DES must be given the record on request. DES recommends keeping copies for two years and says it may ask to see your work search within five years of collecting benefits.

Law: N.C. Gen. Stat. 96-14.9

Official source: Source page

To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)

Noncitizens

What the state says

If you are not a U.S. citizen, have your Alien Number and its expiration date ready when you apply.

Free help

Call 1-888-737-0259. Legal aid and other free help in North Carolina → Official sources →