Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tens of thousands of North Carolina state employees are now provided with paid leave to observe a day of “personal significance,” Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Monday.

Cooper’s executive order gives workers in Cabinet-level agencies an additional eight hours of leave annually for an observance that includes but isn’t limited to days of cultural or religious importance.

The order makes reference to days not listed in the paid holiday schedule for state employees, like Juneteenth, Diwali, Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah.

“North Carolina is at its best when we celebrate our diversity and show respect for the cultural and faith traditions of all North Carolinians,” Cooper said in a news release.

The state employee schedule already is at its maximum of 12 paid holidays. State law says those holidays must include Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Veterans Day and three days for Christmas.

Agencies and commissions that aren’t directly controlled by the governor can also follow the policy.

The “Personal Observance Leave” should begin no later than June 16, and workers should give at least two weeks’ notice, the release said.

The Office of State Human Resources asks agencies to grant leave requests for Juneteenth and LGBTQ pride month activities to “the greatest extent possible” given their proximity.

 

Photo via AP Photo/Susan Walsh.

 

Related Stories
‹
North Carolina Gov. Cooper Isn’t Sold on Tax-Cut Restrictions by Republicans Still Finalizing Budget
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said on Tuesday he’s skeptical that an apparent tax agreement by Republican legislative leaders within a state budget that’s still being negotiated would over time protect revenues to fund pressing needs within government. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger provided on Monday few […]
NC Democratic Black Caucus Boycotting Weekend Party Events
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A caucus supporting African Americans within the North Carolina Democratic Party announced on Wednesday it’s boycotting statewide party events this weekend because it said party officials overlooked Juneteenth and Father’s Day. The state party convention, State Executive Committee meeting and “Unity Dinner,” all in Durham, will be held Saturday, the day […]
NC Retiree Health Insurance Case Left Unsettled by Top Court
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON A decadelong legal fight over whether retired government workers were wronged when North Carolina stopped offering them a more generous level of premium-free health insurance remained unsettled after Friday’s ruling by the state Supreme Court. A majority of justices did agree that the former state employees and teachers had a […]
NC Employees' Personal Info Uploaded to Internal Website
Personal information for nearly 85,000 North Carolina state employees was mistakenly uploaded to an internal portal, state officials said. A file containing the names, Social Security numbers and employment information of 84,860 employees was uploaded to an internal website that is accessible to other state employees, the Department of Information Technology and Office of State […]
2 Years After Hurricane Helene, Where Does Relief Fall Short in North Carolina? – On Air Today (September 29, 2026)
Public Policy Analyst Alex Campbell joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, September 29 shortly after the two-year mark of Hurricane Helene.
Trump Refers to Black Man From Racially Offensive 1988 Campaign Ad While Stumping in North Carolina
During a stop in North Carolina, Trump referenced one of the most controversial campaign advertisements that relied on racist tropes.
Postal Service Work To Comply With Trump’s Executive Order Is Rushed and Sloppy, a Whistleblower Contends
The U.S. Postal Service is poised to launch a hastily built, error-riddled computer system that could jeopardize the process of mail voting.
Longtime Chatham County Educator Wins $10 Million Lottery Prize
The North Carolina Education Lottery office revealed that Jean Johnson, who teaches in Chatham County, is the winner of a $10 million prize.
Theodore Nollert on North Carolina's Budget Corrections Bill and Its Process – On Air Today (August 26, 2026)
Theodore Nollert — the directory of policy for Carolina Forward and a Chapel Hill Town Council member — joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, August 26.
UNC Health Expands, Rebrands Venture Capital Efforts of Emerging Tech
The statewide healthcare system announced Rex Health Ventures platform is now UNC Health Ventures and will use $125 million to invest in emerging health tech companies.
›