NO RT H CA RO L IN A OF F IC E O F STATE HUM AN RESOURCES
Second Quarter 2019
Meet the Secretary
Anthony Copeland
Department of Commerce
Executive Orders Benefit State Employees Flag The Hazard, New Safety Campaign New Agency Helps State Rebuild Smarter, Stronger
Message from T HE
DIRECTO R Spring is shaping up to be a great season for state employees. In April, we honored 21 individuals who achieved the milestone of 45 years of public service with the Caswell Award program, and in May we celebrated all state government workers during State Employee Recognition Week. State agencies and our universities united to commend more than 82,000 dedicated employees, hundreds of whom attended a State Employee Appreciation Day open house at the Executive Mansion. To offer improved work-life opportunities for state employees, Governor Cooper has signed three Executive Orders since March, including one that will provide Paid Parental Leave to eligible state employees to enable them to care for and bond with a newborn or child under the age of 18 newly-placed for adoption, foster or other legal placement.
Barbara Gibson
As per Executive Order No. 95, Paid Parental Leave will become available to eligible state employees who become parents on or after Sept. 1. This will include up to eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave for eligible state employees who have given birth, and up to four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to other eligible state employees. Read about this important new benefit on page 14. On Equal Pay Day in April, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order No. 93, which bans the use of salary history in state government hiring to address gender wage inequity. The State of North Carolina job application has been revised to remove salary history, and the salary of current state employees cannot be used in a discriminatory manner when making employment decisions. See details on page 23. Additionally, Executive Order No. 92 established North Carolina as an Employment First State with a pledge to make state government workplaces more inclusive of individuals with disabilities. I was proud to stand with Governor Cooper when he signed this order in March and was inspired by the testimonials delivered by employees of the Department of Health and Human Services. We share their stories on pages 19 and 20. This issue of The Resource is filled with stories of inspirational state employees, including Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland. In Meet the Secretary, pages 10-13, learn how he applies the lessons from a happy childhood in small-town Hertford, in coastal Perquimans County, to recruit globally for jobs and industry that strengthen our state’s robust economy.
Barbara Gibson, Director Office of State Human Resources
Meet the new
DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Scarlette Gardner has been named Director of the Division of Safety, Health and Revenue Secretary Ronald Penny playfully posed for selfies with agency coworkers, including Administrative Assistant Denise Faison, during DOR’s employee appreciation luncheon.
Employee Appreciation The State of North Carolina’s more than 82,000 employees were honored during 2019 State Employee Recognition Week, May 5-11, for the dedication and expertise they provide to North Carolina residents and visitors. “Through your individual efforts and collaborative accomplishments, you touch nearly every aspect of daily life for the more than 10.4 million people who call our state home,” OSHR Director Barbara Gibson said in an email sent to all state agency employees. “Your extraordinary skills and mission-driven sense of purpose also serve to make our state attractive to visitors who spend close to $24 billion here annually, and to the many job-creating industries that want to establish or grow their presence in our state’s fertile soil.” Click this photo to hear Governor Cooper’s video message to state employees about the essential program and services you provide:
Workers’ Compensation (SHWC) in the Office of State Human Resources. Gardner brings a wealth of diverse professional experience related to workplace safety and workers’ compensation, including three years serving as legal counsel to the chairman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission and various roles working with or on behalf of employees, employers, providers and attorneys. She most recently served as SHWC’s interim director and OSHR Workers’ Compensation Manager and has represented OSHR as a member of several task forces and committees. “Scarlette is looking forward to engaging in strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives in partnership with the entire network of human resources, safety and workers’ compensation professionals in all state agencies and universities,” said OSHR Deputy Director Tammy Penny. “She will work to promote a culture of safety for state employees and proper handling of workplace incidents and injuries in accordance with state law and policies.” Gardner is a licensed attorney, graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law, and graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and master’s degree in business administration. She is also a North Carolina Superior Court Certified Mediator. See related stories about Flag The Hazard, page 4, and the success of DHHS’s safety program, page 5.
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The North Carolina Aquariums are among the nation’s best, according to a recent poll. The USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Award for best aquariums announced on May 3 that the state’s aquariums were voted No. 7 in the country.
The aquariums and pier are dedicated to connecting guests with the natural world and are leading attractions in the state, with a combined visitation of more than 1.3 million a year. In addition, the aquariums, each accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, are committed to saving animals locally and globally, with a focus on sea turtles, sand tiger sharks, and Carolina gopher frogs. The top spots in the poll were Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (Tennessee), The Florida Aquarium and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (Louisiana). The full list of winners can be found here: https:// www.10best.com/awards/travel/bestaquarium-2019/
“This honor shows that our expert animal care, personal connections made with our guests, and our commitment to saving animals in the wild have made a positive impression on our visitors and communities,” said Maylon White, director of the North Carolina Aquariums. The North Carolina Aquariums include multiple coastal sites at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, on Roanoke Island, as well as Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. 2
About the North Carolina Aquariums
The North Carolina Aquariums are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and are dedicated to the mission of “Inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.” Each location is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Wilmington at 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach. For more information, see ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher or call 910-772-0500. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is five miles west of Atlantic Beach at 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores. For more information, see ncaquariums.com/pine-knollshores or call 252-247-4003. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located in Manteo at 374 Airport Road, off U.S. 64. For more information, see ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island or call 252-257-3493. Jennette’s Pier is located on the Outer Banks at 7223 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head. For more information, see ncaquariums.com/jennettes-pier or call 252-255-1501.
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Flag The Hazard Campaign’s Launch in Safety Month to Build Culture of Safety Across State Government As part of its continuing efforts to reduce workplace injuries and build a culture of safety across state government, OSHR’s Division of Safety, Health and Workers’ Compensation (SHWC) will launch a new safety awareness and reporting program in time for June’s observance of Safety Month in North Carolina. Flag The Hazard will be implemented at all state agencies and university system campuses across the state. The goal is to proactively mitigate risk in state government workplaces by encouraging employees to report potentially unsafe conditions for corrective action. An online Flag The Hazard reporting tool — easily found at hazards.nc.gov — allows employees to file reports with their name or anonymously, with reports automatically directed to the appropriate agency safety officer. Employees without computer access may report concerns by contacting their agency safety officer, who will file the request on their behalf.
Know who your agency’s safety officer is? Click here for a contact list.
“OSHR is proud to report that workplace injuries have decreased across state government over the last five years, due in large part to individual agency and university efforts to identify and eliminate workplace hazards,” said SHWC Director Scarlette Gardner. “Fewer injuries means decreased workers’ compensation claims and costs and increased state resources that may be devoted to improved workplace safety and other priorities.” Flag The Hazard replaces Hazard Hero as the state’s year-round workplace safety program. Stepped up activities will be held at agencies and universities throughout June. The Department of Health and Human Services, for example, has a series of weekly programs scheduled at its various facilities to highlight different aspects of workplace safety. Many agencies will conduct focused “Stand Down” events lasting 30-to-60 minutes. During these, teams of employees will emphasize identification of potential workplace hazards that can be corrected through requests for repair or service. Among the conditions employees will be encouraged to look for are slip, trip and fall hazards, such as cracked pavement or sidewalks, uneven flooring and worn or torn carpet; broken or malfunctioning tools or equipment; absence of personal protective equipment; broken, damaged or unsuitable furniture; exposed or frayed electrical wiring; water leaks and wet spots on floor; and unpleasant odors. Gardner cautions that some requested maintenance may lack funding for immediate response, and some perceived hazards may in fact be within the scope of acceptable condition. Reports that can be addressed within the system should be scheduled for corrective action within seven business days. “The potential to reduce injury and related costs through employee engagement is significant,” Gardner said. “We are optimistic that Flag The Hazard will make a positive difference in the well-being of state employees when they are on the job, and that these proactive practices will carry over to have a beneficial impact at home, too.”
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DHHS SAFETY PROGRAMS
Reduce Workplace Injuries by 28%, Save $30 Million Since joining DHHS in 2014, Safety Programs Director
Martin Sinicki and his team have reduced workplace injuries within the Department of Health and Human Services by 28% — and lowered worker’s compensation costs by $30 million. Sinicki began by assessing the state of safety within DHHS and looking for areas of improvement. Fire safety, emergency management and environmental safety were added to the officers’ responsibilities, and their job titles were renamed Environmental Health and Safety Officers. “Without this dedicated group of safety professionals, reducing workplace injuries was not achievable,” Sinicki said. DHHS Safety Programs Director Martin Sinicki stepped up training, inspections and education, Sinicki and his team didn’t stop leading to a significant decrease in injuries and increased cost avoidance. Photo by Elaine Darby, there. They set up work groups Office of State Human Resources. that standardized safety programs for DHHS, and even created a standardized safety manual and forms. The Environmental taught by local fire departments, the Department of Labor Health and Safety Officers received leadership, training and the State Bureau of Investigation, among others. and mentoring development. These included hands-on fire extinguisher training, using personal protective equipment, hazardous materials, food Facility inspections went from occurring annually to safety, infection control, chemical safety, and occupational quarterly, making it possible to find and fix hazards before and fire safety. they could lead to injury. To make the quarterly inspections more effective, the work groups created an auditing The initiatives were based off the National Safety Council’s assessment tool and a process for following up with “No 1 Gets Hurt” campaign, which focuses on emergency facilities until noted deficiencies were corrected. preparedness, wellness, falls and driver safety. Employee programs have been developed that enhance employee “The biggest thing was change,” said Sinicki. “Our safety to the point of reducing and sometimes even motto is ‘Ownership Brings Change.’ The support from eliminating injuries. leadership was instrumental in incorporating change, as they wholeheartedly bought into the process.” “The key is to be forward thinking,” Sinicki said. “We have to think of what will affect us in five to 10 years, not just In 2016, a workers’ compensation attorney was hired today.” to close claims and streamline worker’s compensation ____________________________________________ processes and procedures. Coupled with the creation of a Return to Work program that helps employees go back to work after they’re released by their doctor, DHHS has By Ryan Hill, Public Information Officer with the reduced worker’s compensation costs by $30 million. Department of Health and Human Services.
The focus on safety has also expanded to employee education and training through Stand Down courses
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New N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency NAMES KEY LEADERS
The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) was created in October 2018 by Governor Cooper to lead the state’s initiative to help storm-impacted communities rebuild smarter and stronger in the face of future natural disasters and long-term climate change.
Jessica Whitehead (in red sweater) guides Nags Head community members as they prioritize actions suggested during the VCAPS (Vulnerability, Consequences, and Adaptation Planning Scenarios) process, which Whitehead co-developed. Photo by Jordan Luebkemann.
The team will improve collaboration between governments, nonprofits, the private sector and academia, with a goal of developing solutions that enhance the resilience of communities and the natural environment while creating safe and affordable housing solutions. “The science tells us we can expect to see a continued increase in the frequency and severity of hurricanes and the flooding that follows. North Carolina has got to plan now to make our communities more resilient to future storms,” said Department of Public Safety (DPS) Secretary Erik Hooks. “We can’t afford to wait for another Matthew or Florence to take action.” NCORR, a DPS division, administers funds received by the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery Program, in partnership with the Department of Commerce. The office provides disaster recovery coordination with services that include oversight of recovery funding, processing of program applications, construction and vendor management, and public outreach and education, among other responsibilities.
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Key staff includes:
Laura Hogshead, Chief Operating Officer, has extensive experience in administering federal housing programs, having served as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief of Staff for Budget and Policy at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She most recently served on the executive staff at the Center for Community Self-Help in Durham and has also worked on Capitol Hill as a congressional staffer for HUD-related appropriations committees. She is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Jessica Whitehead, Chief Resilience Officer, served for 11 years served as the coastal communities’ hazards adaptation specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant, where she helped coastal communities improve their resilience by helping them incorporate weather and climate information into their local planning and decision-making. Recognized nationally as an expert in using science for adapting to coastal change, Whitehead is a member of the Independent Advisory Committee on Applied Climate. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in geography and Master of Science in meteorology from the Pennsylvania State University, and her Bachelor of Science in physics with a concentration in meteorology from the College of Charleston. Jim Klingler, Finance Chief, is a finance professional who has served in senior finance positions at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University, and as a fiscal analyst at the N.C. General Assembly. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
John Ebbighausen, Director of Recovery Operations, has been leading the Resiliency section at N.C. Emergency Management since early 2018. He retired from the N.C. National Guard as a lieutenant colonel serving as deputy director for strategic plans and policy. Ryan Flynn, Acting Chief of Staff, has served in the Governor’s Recovery Office since the start of the Cooper Administration. Amanda Martin, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer, will focus primarily on housing projects. Martin is a city planner who specializes in resilient community and economic development. For the past three years, she ran the Southeast Disaster Recovery Partnership, where she oversaw capacity building and planning projects in four states, conducted applied research and built a network of recovery and resilience professionals across the Southeast and Caribbean. Martin is finishing her Doctor of Philosophy in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill. She holds a Master’s degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an undergraduate degree from Harvard University. Marlena Byrne, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer, will focus primarily on infrastructure projects. Byrne is an environmental and land use lawyer with extensive experience as an advisor for large scale public infrastructure, planning and capital improvement projects, as well as private development projects. As a deputy city attorney for the City and County of San Francisco for 13 years, she advised officials on urban planning, land use and historic preservation, as well as environmental, government, administrative and constitutional law.
NCORR, a DPS Division, administers funds received by the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery Program, in partnership with the Department of Commerce.
Byrne received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California-Berkeley, School of Law. Norma Houston serves NCORR in an advisory capacity while continuing her work as a faculty member at the UNC School of Government. Her expertise in local government procurement and FEMA programs will assist the office and local communities in recovery operations. Mike Sprayberry continues to serve as director of N.C. Emergency Management and the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency. _______________________________________ By Bridget Munger, Communications Director for the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency in the Department of Public Safety.
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21 State Employees Honored with Caswell Awards for 45 Years of Public Service Twenty-one state employees with 45 years of public service were honored on April 2 with the Richard Caswell Award during a ceremony in the North Carolina Museum of History. The recipients, who work at nine state agencies, join the distinguished ranks of longserving employees who have earned the award since it was established in 1998 in tribute to North Carolina’s first governor. Collectively, the 21 state employees have devoted more than 945 years to public service. “Many workers think about retiring as soon as they are eligible, but Caswell Award honorees demonstrate an extraordinary commitment and dedication to public service,” said Barbara Gibson, Director of the Office of State Human Resources. “With their deep institutional knowledge and capacity to grow with our evolving workplace, they have contributed substantially to a remarkable scope of work across state agencies – all for the betterment of the people of our great state.”
Guilford County Chief Public Defender Fred Lind, once a standout basketball player at Duke, gets a hand with his boutonnière from Pamela Taylor Shaw of OSHR.
honorees work. Steve Daniels, WTVD news anchor, served as emcee.
In addition to Gibson, the ceremony featured remarks from Ronald Penny, Secretary of the Department of Revenue and, at age 65 and with 30 years of state service, the most senior member of Governor Cooper’s Cabinet. Awards were presented by leaders from the agencies where the
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler presents Kay Harris with her Caswell Award. Harris recalled being extra cautious the first time she drove a state car, only to be scolded after another driver reported her for driving too slowly while they were rushing to the beach.
Richard Caswell was a Maryland native who dedicated most of his adult life to North Carolina. He was the first Orange County Clerk of Court before taking up arms
Leonard Tyson, a fraud investigator at the Department of Commerce, recalled paying just $3.75 in out-of-pocket expenses for the birth of his first child. He is flanked by Revenue Secretary Ron Penny, OSHR Director Barbara Gibson and Commerce Chief of Staff George Sherill. Also honored from Commerce was Ray Grace, who serves as Commissioner of Banks.
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during the Revolutionary War. He later became a member of the colonial assembly, where he was a champion for free public education. With our young nation’s independence from Britain, Caswell became North Carolina’s first governor, serving from 1776-1780. He next served as state controller, returning to the job of chief executive from 17841787. Caswell also was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, then served as a state senator. In 1789, at age 60, he suffered a fatal stroke while presiding over a senate session in Fayetteville. Photos by Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resources, and Jess Law, Department of Transportation. To view more photos of the 2019 Caswell Awards, please go to flickr. com/photos/133699294@N05/
DPS employee Pat Jackson, a social worker in the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, shares a laugh with Reuben Young. The former chief deputy secretary is now a judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
RECIPIENTS OF THE 2019 RICHARD CASWELL AWARDS INCLUDE: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Timothy A. Batten, Kay Glenn Harris Department of Commerce: Raymond E. Grace, Leonard T. Tyson Department of Health and Human Services: James L. Butler, Andrew L. Coward, Steven Freedman, Tom Leeder, Barbara Roseboro Myers, Rosalie A. Pugh, Susie Sherrod-Sanders, Robert V. Young III Judicial Branch: Frederick G. Lind Department of Natural and Cultural Resources: Martha Battle Jackson Office of State Human Resources: Ronald C. Condrey Department of Public Safety: Cleveland Allen Graham, Patricia C. Jackson
DHHS Deputy Secretary Mark Benton presents a Caswell Award to Susie Sherrod-Sanders, long time business manager at Cherry Hospital. Her first state job, in 1973, was as a secretary in the Wayne Community College library.
Department of Public Instruction, Governor Morehead School: Frederick McEachern Department of Transportation: William L. Faulk, Stephen W. Jackson, Douglas Sossamon
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M E E T
T H E
S E C R E T A R Y :
Photo by Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resources.
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Small-town life in coastal Hertford was ideal for young Tony Copeland, whose family has deep roots in Perquimans County. He could adventure fearlessly across his close-knit community, piloting a boat solo on the river or losing himself in books, as well as focus on his studies in a household that valued academic achievement. Role models were plentiful. In addition to his parents, Copeland was strongly influenced by the equitable mission of the Quakers, who settled in Hertford in 1656. In 1910, the progressive community became the first in the country to erect a monument to black soldiers of the Civil War. In his smartphone, Copeland saves an image of the Colored Union Soldiers Monument, which recognizes the men who first fought for the right to enlist with white volunteers before dying beside them on the battlefield. Copeland’s outlook was particularly shaped by Clinton White Toms of Hertford, first president of the American Tobacco Company and a trustee of Trinity College, which become part of Duke University. The educator and philanthropist founded a scholarship for Hertford students that enabled Copeland to attend Duke.
Secretary Copeland surrounded by family in 2012 (from left): Elliot, Monique, Sasha (a Jack Russell) and Simon. Photos courtesy Copeland family.
Such influences contributed to Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland’s drive to succeed as a means to help others. In his current role and a previous tenure as Assistant Commerce Secretary under Governor Easley, the former Wake County Assistant District Attorney and BTI Telecommunications executive has done much to improve the economic landscape of his home state.
With the unbridled enthusiasm of a local booster and keen intellect of an Oxford scholar, Copeland has recruited more than 44,500 jobs and $8.5 billion in investment to North Carolina’s economy since his appointment in January 2017. Additionally, his agency has expanded or launched several resources, including the NCWorks Career Centers located on many community college campuses and a new jobs portal created to help veterans transition skills to non-military employment.
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Commerce Secretary Copeland (third from left) joins leaders of E-N-G Mobile Systems, LLC at a ceremonial ribbon cutting on May 16 to announce that the designer and manufacturer of specialized vehicles will create 60 jobs as it locates its first East Coast operations in Cumberland County. Photo by Beth Gargan, Department of Commerce.
Q&A: How have things changed in your rural hometown?
a business that has been in your family for nine generations – and how rewarding that is. He was a very hard worker, as am I.
In my lifetime, I’ve experienced the total change of the rural economies and makeup. When I was growing up, one had to leave to have a professional career. Today my focus is, how can we help rural communities to continue to contribute? I’m passionate about this, as is Governor Cooper. We’re the tenth most populous state in the country and 50% of our residents are non-native. Talk about a paradigm change from 1950, to when we were the poorest in the country, to now, where we have the highest concentration of PhD’s. Our diversity is what’s made us a powerhouse in the 20th century.
I didn’t think the business was an option for me as the economy was changing. I grew up with an understanding that there were no limitations on where I could go and what I could do. Today, my job is to bring companies here and help them be prosperous, hire North Carolinians and contribute to the tax base. If it’s [a company that is] legal, safe, environmentally sound – we should take a hard look at it. Everyone can win.
What motivates you?
Working for Roy Cooper. He chose me a to sit on the front row of history with him, and I couldn’t be more honored. Very few people have that opportunity. When he reached out to me to I keep a copy of a 1983 New York Times Sunday Magazine take this job – which is the best job in North Carolina – I didn’t in my office as a reminder of how far we’ve come. The story hesitate. We’re creating better opportunities for businesses and is called “The Good Life in North Carolina.” They call us “the people who are looking for opportunities. Dixie Dynamo,” and it’s still relevant today. The difference, compared to a decade or two ago, is that everyone knows A challenge definitely motivates me. People motivate me. I love it now. And if they don’t know it, I’m going to tell them. interaction with people. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that, Our brand should be, We’re a State of Minds. That’s what with enough time, you can’t find good things about. You’re not distinguishes us. human unless you enjoy that.
Who most influenced your professional career?
What are your hobbies?
For pure selfish recreation, I ride horses. I do cross-country riding. That type is a fine line between exhilaration and fear. A friend of mine has a farm in Zebulon, which has a lot of cross-
My father taught me about being a businessman and understanding the responsibilities that come with running
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Meet the new DIRECTOR
country courses. I’m probably on the down side of that sport with my age, but I’m still doing it. Otherwise, my main focus is my family. I have a wonderful wife, Monique. She’s in the technology industry and now works at Citrix. We had two sons, Elliot and Simon. Simon is a rising junior at N.C. State University, An ardent equestrian, Secretary where he studies business Copeland is seen here in 2002 administration. Elliot died riding his horse, Rango. tragically in New York in 2016 when he was hit by a car. I think about the people connected to the shooting at UNC-Charlotte, who got the call like I got the call. It’s a club no one should belong to. When I see these young lives snuffed out, accident or intentional, there’s nothing that affects one like the loss of a child. He was a marvelous young man.
What is your favorite movie?
I enjoy watching Masterpiece Theater and movies where you can move back in time. There are two movies I could watch again and again. One is Witness for the Prosecution, with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich. The other is Lawrence of Arabia, with Peter O’Toole, which is my all-time favorite. It’s just a brilliant film and it is visually stunning. Also, I have ridden throughout the Middle East on horses, so I really connect with the landscape.
What is your vision for the Department of Commerce?
Besides being a conduit for economic development, part of our mission is to help everyone have the capacity to prosper for economic development in the 21st century. The skill sets [needed for new jobs] are pretty much the same in our communities: it’s all advanced robotics and integrated technology. This is the global economy, and you can’t disconnect yourself what is happening in other parts of the world.
OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi H. Hamilton recently announced the appointment of Angela Thorpe as the director of the N.C. African American Heritage Commission (AAHC). Thorpe has served as acting director since September 2018. Previously acting director, Thorpe served as associate director of the AAHC since 2017. In that role she led the development of a five-year organizational strategic plan, managed organizational partnerships and grants, led collaborative programming efforts with groups and institutions across North Carolina, and oversaw organizational messaging and digital communications strategy. She was the first African American historic interpreter at the James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville and worked to attract diverse audiences through inclusive programming and leading community engagement initiatives. Thorpe’s family home is the small community of Pinetops, N.C., but she calls herself an Air Force brat and has lived in the U.S. and abroad. She returned to her roots after receiving a B.A. in history with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Florida and was awarded the M.A. in history from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. As a graduate student she worked to connect marginalized communities with museums and was involved with the award-winning exhibit, “Warnersville: Our Home; Our Neighborhood, Our Stories,” at the Greensboro Historical Museum.
At the end of the day, I think the Governor has charged me with the mission of what every parent probably wants – which is for their children to enjoy a life larger than the one they were born into. The Governor may not articulate it like that, but that’s how I see it. Working together, we will achieve this for more people in North Carolina. ____________________________________________
Thorpe has written on museum professionals, public history and race for the National Council of Public History. She has also spoken on diversity and inclusion in museums and cultural institutions; community engagement; and African American heritage at conferences and symposia. She was awarded a Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship by the American Alliance of Museums in 2016.
By Jill Warren Lucas, Communications Director for the Office of State Human Resources.
For additional information call 919-814-6655. The N.C. African American Heritage Commission is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
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Executive Order No. 95 Eligible State Employees to Receive Paid Parental Leave to Support Family Health, Stronger Economy
Surrounded by state government leaders, child advocates and health professionals, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order No. 95 on May 23 in a ceremony at the Executive Mansion. Photos by Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resorces.
To support healthy families and strengthen our economy, Governor Roy
Family and Medical Leave can qualify for Paid Parental Leave. Part-time employees are eligible to receive Paid Parental Leave on a prorated basis. According to the Office of State Human Resources, about 56,000 state employees will be eligible for Paid Parental Leave under the new policy.
“This new Paid Parental Leave policy will give state employees more time to recover from childbirth and give their newborns the care and attention they need,” Governor Cooper said. “It will help reduce gender inequality in our workplaces, and it will help our state attract and retain a strong workforce.”
Paid Parental Leave policies promote wellness by providing time parents need to recover from childbirth and bond with a new baby, to attend regular medical checkups and to manage family caregiving responsibilities. Research suggests children whose parents have access to Paid Parental Leave are more likely to attend regular medical checkups and have fewer health problems. When Paid Parental Leave is available, women who give birth are less likely to experience postpartum depression and men are more likely to be involved fathers.
Cooper issued Executive Order No. 95 on May 23, extending Paid Parental Leave to state employees in cabinet agencies.
Effective Sept. 1, 2019, state employees of any North Carolina department, agency, board or commission under the oversight of the Governor will receive eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave after giving birth or four weeks of Paid Parental Leave after a partner gives birth or to bond with and care for a child in the event of adoption, foster care or other legal placement of a child. Eligible state employees will receive 100% of their regular pay while on parental leave.
Paid Parental Leave is also good for the economy and fiscally responsible. Paid Parental Leave can help families care for children without risking financial insecurity and can reduce demands on the social safety net by reducing the likelihood that working parents must apply for taxpayerfunded benefits. Private sector employers have found that Paid Parental Leave can improve employee retention, productivity and morale.
Full-time permanent, probationary or time-limited employees in the Cabinet agencies who have been continuously employed by the State of North Carolina for at least 12 months prior to their leave and are eligible for
For a fact sheet on Paid Parental Leave, click HERE.
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Remarks FROM
GOVE RNOR R OY COOPER
When you’re a parent, you never forget what it’s like to welcome a new baby into your family.
Everything in your life changes in an instant. Diapers. Doctor appointments. 2 AM feedings. Long days and little sleep. In addition to the demands of a new baby, parents have to keep a household together and recover from childbirth, all the while trying to enjoy every moment with their new family member. Parenting is often more than a full-time job. It takes some time to learn the balancing act, and every family could use some more support. That’s why today (May 23), I’ll sign Executive Order No. 95, extending Paid Parental Leave to about 56,000 state employees who work in my Cabinet agencies. Joined by First Lady Kristin Cooper, Governor Cooper delivered the following remarks to a crowd of supporters.
Parents deserve this time to care for their kids, and kids deserve healthy beginnings. Studies have shown that children whose parents have Paid Parental Leave are more likely to have all of their well-care doctor visits and fewer behavioral or mental health problems as they grow up.
This new Paid Parental Leave policy will give state employees more time to recover from childbirth and give their newborns the care and attention they need. It will help reduce gender inequality in our workplaces. And it will help our state attract and retain a strong workforce.
Women with paid leave are less likely to experience post-partum depression. Men who take leave after the birth of a child are more involved fathers later on in the child’s life. And Paid Parental Leave reduces overall demands on the taxpayers through the social safety net.
When I became Governor, I developed a mission for our state. I want a North Carolina where people are better educated, where they’re healthier and where they have more money in their pockets so they can live more abundant, purposeful lives.
Starting on September 1, Cabinet agency state employees who give birth will be granted eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
I’m proud to sign this executive order that moves our state toward fulfilling that mission, but it’s only one important step.
Four weeks of Paid Parental Leave will be available for those whose partners give birth or for anyone who has an adoption, foster care placement or other placement.
More North Carolinians in the private sector deserve access to Paid Parental Leave. There are several bills in the General Assembly that would provide Paid Parental Leave to more North Carolinians, and some of the legislators who’ve championed those bills are here today. I thank them for their work, and I’m calling on their colleagues to give these proposals the attention they deserve.
And parents will receive 100% of their regular pay while they’re on leave. That means during this important bonding time, our employees will no longer have to choose between their career and their child. Many employers in the private sector have already taken this step, and they’ve seen success.
Supporting healthy families through Paid Parental Leave isn’t only the right thing to do — it’s smart, bottom line economics. It’s good for children, it’s good for parents, it’s good for employers seeking a stronger workforce, and it’s good for our economy.
Paid Parental Leave boosts productivity, helps recruit and retain top talent and keeps businesses thriving. So, this is also a win for state taxpayers.
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Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families “Paid leave provides working parents the time they need to care for new children, which is so critical to the healthy development of children and families. We applaud Governor Roy Cooper for championing working people and families in North Carolina by providing Paid Parental Leave to all Cabinet employees. We also urge the state legislature to pass legislation that would allow all working North Carolinians paid time away from work to care for a new child, their own serious illness or a seriously ill family member.”
Secretary Mandy Cohen, MD, Department of Health and Human Services
Leaders in Support of Paid Parental Leave
“Experiences children have in their earliest years serve as the foundation for healthy development. That’s why paid leave for moms and dads has critical benefits for children and families, including positive impacts on child health and development, parent health and wellbeing and financial stability. For children and families, the benefits of paid leave are numerous and long lasting.”
Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse NC
Secretary Anthony M. Copeland, Department of Commerce
“North Carolina’s future prosperity requires the healthy development of our children. North Carolina will lead in innovation, resiliency, and economic development when we invest in building strong families and strong communities. Paid Parental Leave is one of many prevention investments that North Carolina can make as a state. Paid leave is good prevention, good public policy, good business, and good medicine.”
Michelle Hughes, Executive Director, NC Child “Bringing a new family member home is such an exciting time for families, but it can also be a deeply stressful time. Decades of research show us what a critical period those first weeks are. We applaud Governor Cooper’s leadership in advancing this preventive, family-friendly policy that could literally save lives, and we hope that more employers across North Carolina will follow suit.”
Beth Messersmith, Senior Campaign Director, North Carolina for MomsRising “MomsRising welcomes the new Paid Parental Leave measure for state employees as an important step on the road to ensuring that all workers in this state can access the paid family and medical leave they need to cover the range of caregiving and self-care needs they are likely to face during their working years.”
Susan R. Mims, MD, MPH, FAAP, President, North Carolina Pediatric Society “Right after childbirth is a critical time for babies to bond with their new families. Paid leave is proven to promote increased breastfeeding, higher rates of vaccination, and improved maternal mental health and is a big win for babies and parents, especially in the early weeks and months of life.”
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“Paid Parental Leave for state employees is a great step to ensuring North Carolina has a quality workforce and that we can compete with private industry for top talent. State employees can rest easy knowing they don’t have to choose between working and childcare. This is a great demonstration of how family-friendly employment practices enhance the quality of life and economic development across the state.”
Barbara Gibson, Director, Office of State Human Resources “This order establishes North Carolina as a leader in providing Paid Parental Leave to support the health and well-being of parents and children. It is an important benefit for the employees who work hard every day to provide essential programs and services to the people of our state and modernizes our system to serve as a valuable recruitment tool in attracting and retaining more young people in state government careers.”
Sunburn isn’t the only thing that can ruin a summer vacation – cybercriminals can! Throughout the entire summer, The Department of Information Technology (DIT) will be posting cybersecurity and digital safety tips to keep you secure during your summer vacation. Follow along with the hashtag #DITSecureSummer.
NCDIT: What To Do With Suspicious Emails, and Other Cybersecurity Tips An email arrived in your state agency account this morning, and there’s something that doesn’t quite ring “true” about it.
Remember: Never click on links in the suspicious email, and never enter your email address and/or password if requested. If you have even the smallest doubt, send it to report. spam@nc.gov.
It’s from a fellow and trusted employee downtown, but maybe the email comes with an odd attachment you weren’t expecting. The message itself is kind of off: perhaps it has language or misspellings that are atypical of your friend; maybe the email is asking you to open the attachment in a way that just doesn’t feel right.
These steps are incredibly important. The ransomware that nearly shut down Mecklenburg County’s government awhile back was launched by a county employee innocently opening a welldisguised email.
You call your friend, but he’s out of the office.
Protect yourself at home and in your workplace by following these other cybersecurity tips: • Use up-to-date antivirus software. • Do not open email from unknown or suspicious sources. • Use hard-to-guess passwords. Or rather, “#@ rdt00Ge55 P55wrds.” G3T !t? Gud. • Use a firewall on your computer. • Update your computer’s operating system and applications regularly. • Shut down your computer when you are not using it. • Back up your computer regularly. • Remember: Your cell phones and tablets are also computers. Everything that applies above applies to your mobile devices. • Remember: You are always a target, and the stakes are incredibly high. Don’t think, “It won’t happen to me.”
What do you do? Attach the suspicious email to another email and send it to report.spam@ nc.gov. Your email will be reviewed by an expert here at DIT and will be either cleared or flagged as spam or worse, an email containing a virus or ransomware. Here is exactly what to do: Compose a new email to report.spam@nc.gov. Your subject line should be something similar to “suspicious email.” Click on “Insert” in your Outlook toolbar, and then select “Outlook Item.” Then, simply double-click the suspicious email. You can also choose to directly “Forward as Attachment.” This option is located by clicking “More,” located next to “Forward” in the Outlook “Home” toolbar. Send. You have just forwarded your email as an attachment.
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Provided by the Department of Information Technology.
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Executive Order No. 92 Establishes Employment First for North Carolinians with Disabilities Governor Cooper issued Executive Order No. 92, Employment First for North Carolinians with Disabilities, to increase opportunities for fair
wages, employment, and careers for individuals with disabilities. Through the order, signed on March 28 at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in Kernersville, the Governor directs state government to become a leader in recruiting and creating an inclusive job climate for workers with disabilities. “North Carolina can be its best when all people have the opportunity to achieve their potential and live lives of purpose, including North Carolinians with disabilities,” said Governor Cooper. “With this order, I’m establishing meaningful work as the first and preferred choice for all North Carolinians, regardless of disability, and directing state government to lead the way on including more people with disabilities in the workplace.”
Governor Cooper signs Executive Order No. 92, establishing North Carolina as an Employment First State. He is joined by (from left) Rodney Maddox, Chief Deputy Secretary of State; DHHS employees Joy Tribble, Travis Williams and Matthew Herr; and State Human Resources Director Barbara Gibson.
“We will build upon existing resources to further improve the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and reduce their high unemployment rate while strengthening our overall workforce.”
More than 1.3 million North Carolinians have a disability, making up approximately 13% of the state’s population. Of those, more than 720,000 are of working age, but only 35% are employed, compared to 76% of North Carolinians without disabilities. Increasing employment for people with disabilities increases independence and results in cost savings for behavioral health services, intellectual/developmental disability services, and acute health care. It is also good for businesses and other employers, resulting in lower employee turnover, increased productivity, and access to a broader pool of skilled workers.
The Executive Order directs OSHR to collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to enhance recruitment and outreach efforts to potential workers with disabilities and to identify and attract qualified individuals with disabilities for state employment. “A large and capable untapped pool of talent exists, and we commit to work closely within state government to address the barriers and create opportunities for North Carolinians with disabilities who want to be employed. This is a win for the employee, for the state as employer, and for our communities,” said Chris Egan, senior director at DHHS. Employment First builds on the progress of Governor Cooper’s NC Job Ready and Everybody Works NC and is aligned with efforts to create an inclusive work environment through Executive Order No. 24, Prohibiting Discrimination in State Employment.
“This creates an opportunity to think about diversity in our state workforce in a new light and to partner with agencies that can help us connect with job seekers who have disabilities,” said Barbara Gibson, Director of the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR).
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Three employees of the Department of Health and Human Services shared their stories at the March 28 signing of Executive Order No. 92 declaring North Carolina an Employment First State. Joy Tribble is Planner/ Evaluator and BEAM Services System Administrator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Matthew Herr is Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff for Health Services. Travis Williams is a Systems Change Manager for the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (see page 20). For the first time in a long time, I felt a part of a team. I became a part of something much bigger than myself. I began to have hope.
I am so proud to work for an Administration that views disability not merely as something to be accommodated, but as an asset to be embraced. Because lived experience matters.
Joy Tribble
Matthew Herr
I began my career with Vocational Rehabilitation Services as a Rehabilitation Counselor working with a physical caseload. Every day, consumers sat across my desk telling their stories.
I spent my early work life working with North Carolinians who have disabilities. I saw the struggles they and their families faced when trying to navigate a world that wasn’t always designed with them in mind. After seeing that struggle repeat itself too many times, I decided to become a lawyer and dedicate my career to improving the systems that touch their lives.
Many of these individuals were at the same place I had been only a few years earlier. They often expressed hopelessness and a huge sense of loss. These consumers wanted the same thing that all of us want. They wanted a way to earn a livable wage and be a part of society again. They wanted to contribute rather than be a burden.
In the middle of my second year of law school, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. With that diagnosis came one of the toughest decisions my wife and I have ever had to make as a couple.
Employment was the only path. And together, we worked alongside each other to achieve that goal. There is no better feeling than that phone call that says: “You got the job!”
My wife was working for a small business, and finances were tight; we had just started a family. We had to ask ourselves: Do we cut our losses, and avoid the expense and burden of finishing my education in the face of an uncertain future?
My journey to employment was not that much different. I began my working career as a teacher in another state. When I was about half way to retirement, I realized that my body was not going to allow me to continue in this job. The physical and emotional demands of teaching were just more than I could tolerate.
Or do we choose to “walk the walk” and push forward, armed with the knowledge that my condition did not just bring hardship, but also insight and perspective; that it would equip me to even better work towards creating an inclusive world where people with disabilities are equally valued and integrated in society.
With the support of my physician and my family, I made the difficult decision to leave teaching. I earned a master’s degree in counseling and then began to look for work. It was a struggle. And as rejections started to mount, I started to lose hope.
Spoiler alert: We chose the latter option.
I am extremely grateful to the State of North Carolina and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which not only hired me, but saw to it that every accommodation need was met. I had an amazing supervisor who encouraged me and helped me to grow professionally.
That is part of what makes today such a joyous day. I am so proud to work for an Administration that views disability not merely as something to be accommodated, but as an asset to be embraced. Because lived experience matters.
For the first time in a long time, I felt a part of a team. I became a part of something much bigger than myself. I began to have hope.
As a person with a disability, and as a member of the Department’s Executive Leadership Team, I am privileged to live openly with my condition while serving alongside fellow servant leaders, as we work to deliver for the people of North Carolina.
I am honored to work for an agency that works tirelessly to help individuals with disabilities achieve their goals of employment and living independently. And while I no longer provide direct services to consumers, I am proud to support the counselors and other field staff who work in the field to carry out our mission. I work each day to advocate for policies and procedures that help our counselors provide the services that are needed to help our consumers reach their goals.
Adopting Employment First won’t just make North Carolina a model employer and build on the HR strides already made by this Administration. It also signals the state’s, and our Governor’s commitment to “walk the walk” as well — to make sure all North Carolinians have access to meaningful, competitive and integrated employment. And with that employment, comes dignity, prosperity, independence and strength.
There is still much work to be done, but I am hopeful for the future. I look forward to sharing this journey as we move forward as an Employment First State.
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For those living with a disability, just seeing a professional in front of them with a disability helps to start a conversation and says to them that gainful employment is a realistic option.
Travis Williams
As a systems change manager for the Council on Development Disabilities, my areas of focus include employment and financial asset development for individuals living with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. I am familiar with the disparities in employment rates between people living with, and without, disabilities. I am excited to see our state move the needle towards real systems change as it pertains to increasing competitive integrated employment for all North Carolina citizens. As a person living with a disability, I know firsthand the very real challenges we sometimes face in securing employment. When I was 17, I nearly died from a brain aneurysm. This incident resulted in me having short term memory loss, speech difficulties, and lingering seizures. Most devastating for me was that I lost the functional use of my left hand. I will not gloss over what happened to me, and to be completely transparent, it was years before I gained my confidence back.
Nevertheless, my personal experience with disability has ended up working in my favor. I went on to complete my formal education, earning multiple master’s degrees, state licensure and a national certification. I married Michellina, my wonderful wife of 20 years, and together we have a 5-year-old son, Kaiden. My experience lit a fire in me to be intentional with my life, to prioritize what is important, and to use what I have been through to make a difference in this world. My career with the state has blessed me with so many opportunities to have a positive impact on the lives of other individuals living with disabilities. For those living with a disability, just seeing a professional in front of them with a disability helps to start a conversation and says to them that gainful employment is a realistic option. My presence as a state employee also serves as a visible reminder for those living without a disability that we can be, and are, just as successful as anyone. Adopting Employment First says to self-advocates and their families that no longer is the state going to stand by and wait for change. Instead it takes the stand that we are going to effect change, to increase inclusion and diversity in our workplace. Moreover, this executive order says that our leadership is committed to making sure our workforce accurately reflects the communities that we live in.
State Internship Program celebrates 50th year The State of North Carolina Internship Program marks its 50th anniversary this year with a new group of 101 students reporting for a 10-week, hands-on educational experience at North Carolina’s state government agencies. Since its establishment in 1969, more than 4,000 internship opportunities have been awarded to North Carolina students attending a college, university, technical institute or community college. “For half a century, the State of North Carolina Internship Program has helped introduce our state’s best and brightest students to state government,” said Governor Cooper. “This program creates opportunities for young people to explore a career in public service while helping North Carolina cultivate the next generation of leaders.” The State of North Carolina Internship Program is coordinated by the Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement.
It offers college students across the state an opportunity to connect lessons learned in the classroom to potential career choices all while serving the people of North Carolina. The program enables students to develop practical workplace skills in a variety of professional areas ranging from technology solutions and lab assistance to ecological research and quality analysis. As a former participant of the program, DOA Deputy Secretary of Advocacy Christy Agner appreciates the program and the experience it offers students each year. “I am grateful for the foundation the program gave my career in public service,” Agner said. “The state internship program offers students critical hands-on experience as they head out into the workforce and can help them learn skills they’ll need to compete for future jobs.”
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Aviation Director Bobby Walston (fourth from left) accepts the award on behalf of NCDOT.
NCDOT Recognized for Drone Use in Disaster Response The Department of Transportation
Jim Trogdon. “Being recognized for this exemplifies exceptional teamwork coming together to use technology in ways we couldn’t even imagine just a few years ago and is an example of ingenuity at its best.”
NCDOT was awarded the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s XCELLENCE Award in the humanitarian category at the AUVSI’s annual XPONENTIALconference on May 2 in Chicago. The award comes with a $5,000 prize, which the Division of Aviation has elected to present to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.
More than a dozen NCDOT drone teams flew more than 200 missions and captured 8,000 pictures and videos of the damage and flooding left behind by Hurricane Florence in September. This helped state and federal agencies make real-time decisions around aiding emergency response, planning detour routes, assessing future repair needs, expanding disaster declarations and warning the public of the dangers faced on North Carolina’s roadways.
received national honors for its innovative use of drones during the state’s coordinated response to Hurricane Florence.
The entry from the Division of Aviation’s drone program was selected out of more than 140 other entries worldwide. The division was honored for its groundbreaking use of emerging drone technology to keep people safe from a tragic storm in a way that had never been done on this scale.
This was the first year that AUVSI has presented an XCELLENCE Award in the humanitarian category. Zipline, a partner with NCDOT on the Drone Integration Pilot Program, was also among the winners selected. Photos courtesy Department of Transportation.
“Utilizing drones and other technological advances helped NCDOT keep people safe during Hurricane Florence and aided all our recovery efforts,” said Transportation Secretary
Section of I-40 under water near flooded homes in Pender County.
Vast swath of NC-41 at Chinquapin inundated by the Cape Fear River.
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Long stretch of US-421 north of Wilmington swamped with floodwater.
Human Resources
Q
Is there a way to review payroll or benefits information if I don’t have access to a computer?
We’re here to assist you by answering your human resource questions and concerns.
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The Office of State Controller recently introduced the HR/Payroll Mobile App that allows state employees access to review and update their payroll data from their smartphone. Visit the OSC website for directions on how to install the app. For example, instead of entering your work email at the prompt, press the barcode symbol and scan the QR code featured in the instructions.
Please email them to the.resource@nc.gov, or contact your agency Human Resources Office.
Q
Q
Will updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training be available to HR professionals and hiring managers to support Executive Order No. 92?
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I’m a long way from retirement but am concerned that I may have fewer options in the state retirement plan. Are there ways that I can be more proactive now to plan for my future?
Executive Order No. 92 established
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North Carolina as an Employment First state for people with disabilities (see page 18). To assist human resources professionals, managers and supervisors in the recruitment and retention of qualified workers with disabilities, the Office of State Human Resources’ Division of Diversity and Workforce Services has updated its three-hour ADA training. The first session was presented on May 21 and subsequent classes are planned for July 16 and Sept. 10.
It’s never too early – or too late – to take steps to boost and secure your retirement savings. NCFlex, in partnership with the State Retirement System, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) and Prudential Retirement, offers a Sensible Savings class to help state employees learn how to make the most of their finances and resources. Topics covered in the free financial and retirement planning workshop include NCFlex Benefits, TSERS Retirement Planning, NC 401(k) and 457 Retirement Plans, and Financial Wellness with SECU.
Additionally, a new module specific to ADA has been added to the 12-hour Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Fundamentals (EODF) curriculum designed for new managers and supervisors. The new module will be launched in July 2019.
Eight classes have been scheduled around the state, starting with June 21 in Wilmington and July 9 in Raleigh. For the full schedule, which also includes online sessions, and to register, visit https://oshr.nc.gov/sensible-savingssessions-2019.
Information on both courses is available through your agency training coordinator or the NC Learning Center.
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Executive Order No. 93 Bans Use of Salary History in State Government Hiring To help address the gender pay gap for women in the state government workforce, Governor Cooper
Employment and Earnings Report released last spring by the Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement,” said Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders. “It is my hope that other states will follow suit to reduce barriers that prohibit the equity of women across the nation.”
marked Equal Pay Day by signing Executive Order No. 93. The order directs state government agencies to ban the use of salary history in the hiring process. “Women have strengthened our state and our country for generations, but an unfair wage gap continues to hurt women workers — especially women of color,” Governor Cooper said. “This Equal Pay Day, my administration is taking action to address the gender pay gap among state workers.”
The Executive Order prohibits state agencies under the purview of the Governor’s Office from requesting salary history from job applicants and directs them to avoid relying on previously obtained salary history information to determine an applicant’s salary. Executive Order No. 93 also directs the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) to remove employment salary history fields from state employment applications. As state employee salary history is a public record, the Executive Order mandates that the OSHR work to ensure previous salary information is not used in a discriminatory way.
Women in North Carolina and across the country continue to earn less than men. While median earnings for men in North Carolina are $45,000, women in our state earn just $36,400, putting women’s pay in North Carolina at 32nd in the nation. The wage gap is even wider for women of color. For example, Hispanic women who work full time throughout the year earn 51 percent less than white male workers. If current trends continue, working women in North Carolina would not see equal pay until 2060, and women of color would wait even longer.
“State government is committed to ensuring that all women have fair and equitable compensation,” said OSHR Director Barbara Gibson. “We appreciate Governor Cooper’s commitment to leveling the playing field for women, who represent a large portion of state government’s workforce.”
With women historically earning less on average than men, requiring job applicants to report salary history can perpetuate gender pay inequities, hurting families, employers and our economy. Banning the use of salary history during the hiring process can help close the gender pay gap for women and help families become more economically secure. “Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 93 is a step in the right direction to help more women and families achieve economic security and ultimately close the gender wage gap in our state. It also further supports recommendations outlined in the Status of Women in North Carolina:
Executive Order No. 93 builds on the Governor’s NC Job Ready initiative, an effort to build and strengthen North Carolina’s workforce. The order is also the latest in a series of efforts to promote inclusive work environments through Executive Order No. 24, which prohibits workplace discrimination. For a fact sheet on Executive Order No. 93, click HERE.
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Photo illustration by Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resources.
ASK A LIBRARIAN:
State Government and Heritage Library Offers Resources for State Employees Librarians can assist you one-on-one or in a group setting, either in person or via Skype, email or phone. You can even chat with a librarian through the library website between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Other free, online resources include NCpedia (an online encyclopedia of North Carolina), N.C. Digital Collections (with the State Archives) and the Web Archives, where you can search archived state government websites and social media accounts. And when you’re done working, the library has resources and events for your personal life, too. Librarians can assist you with personal family history research and often host events related to genealogy, archiving family records (including digital records), and more.
Researcher at the State Government and Heritage Library.
The State Government and Heritage Library recently conducted a survey of state employees
And let’s not forget the books — it is a library, after all. Books available for check out include fiction by North Carolina authors along with an enormous collection of books on North Carolina and Southeastern culture, heritage and history. You can even find North Carolina cookbooks if you want to try out some new recipes.
to find out about their experiences related to finding information at work and how the library could improve to help make those experiences better. The survey responses showed that state employees are unfortunately unaware of the many ways the State Library can assist them, both professionally and personally. The library provides a wealth of online and in-person services that can help state employees both in their jobs and in their personal lives, including access to online subscriptions, archives, research assistance, and data and statistics.
Thousands of peer-reviewed research articles are available through the library’s online subscription resources, on topics from healthcare to water quality to engineering and more – the service includes resources for every discipline in state government. Can’t justify paying hefty subscription prices for professional journals, newspapers or other periodicals? Access them online through the library for free.
The newly-renovated library also has a classroom that state employees can book for meetings. Just call the library at 919-814-6790 to schedule. State employees will need a library card to check out materials or access subscription resources and databases. Signing up for one is easy. Stop by the library on the first floor of the Archives and History Building at 109 E. Jones Street in Raleigh or apply online. So the next time you’re struggling with research for a presentation, or maybe just looking for a great book to read, remember that you can always ask a librarian. ____________________________________________
Library staff also provide expert research assistance for locating information and resources for projects, reports and presentations, legislative research, North Carolina state statues and laws, and many other topics. They can also help find data, statistics and demographics information.
By Michele Walker, Public Information Officer at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Photos courtesy DNCR.
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BUILD UP
Emergency Savings for a Rainy Day
You cannot always predict what unexpected and costly events lie ahead, which is why it’s important to set up an emergency savings account. Job loss, car or home repairs, medical bills, and last-minute travel arrangements are just a few of the reasons an emergency fund would be helpful. It’s generally recommended to have at least three months’ worth of expenses saved for an emergency. One way to face this challenge is to treat your emergency fund as another bill. Choose the amount you would like to save each month and set up a payroll deduction or funds transfer to an account dedicated for emergency savings. It’s often helpful to keep these funds separate from other savings you plan to use for vacations, education, etc. If you need help with a savings plan, the State Employees’ Credit Union offers members nocost financial counseling services, including a spending plan review and strategies for future financial goals. More information and resources regarding these services can be found in the Planning section under the Insurance and Investments tab at www.ncsecu.org. You can also call or visit your local branch for assistance. ____________________________________________ Provided by State Employees’ Credit Union.
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N ORT H CA ROL I N A OFFICE O F STATE HUM AN RESO URCES
BA R BA R A G IB S O N , Director, Office of State Human Resources JILL WA R R E N LUCAS, Communications Director E L A IN E DARBY, Public Information Officer
the.resource@nc.gov Design by Patricia Campbell | Cover photograph by Elaine Darby, Office of State Human Resources