COVID-19 and Unemployment in North Carolina

            As things change by the hour, Governor Cooper has issued a new Executive Order dealing with unemployment in North Carolina. It is linked here. We know this Executive Order is like everything else these days, overwhelming and full of confusing information so we have outlined the major changes below. Governor Cooper has made it easier for employees who are laid off due to the coronavirus to receive unemployment benefits in the following ways:

• No waiting period – previously, employees who lost their jobs had to wait a week to qualify for unemployment benefits. Under the current order, employees are eligible right away.
• No job search – currently, employees who are laid off do not have to prove they are actively searching for a job to maintain their benefits. Before this new order, employees had to show an active job search each week.
• Employers accounts will not be charged for layoffs due to the coronavirus – Employers who are unfortunately forced to let people go due to lack of work will not face penalties in terms of the interest rate they pay to the State. Before the new Executive Order employers could see a rate increase with employee layoffs or firings.

As things change, we hope everyone stays healthy and safe. We are here should anyone have questions.