North Carolina Expands Parental Leave, Speeds Path to Permanent State Jobs

North Carolina state employees are gaining expanded parental leave, while temporary workers could move into permanent positions sooner under changes that took effect October 1.

The Public Workforce Modernization Act expands paid parental leave to 12 weeks for both parents following a birth, adoption or foster placement, according to the state Office of Human Resources. It also increases vacation leave and standardizes bereavement leave across state agencies.

For temporary workers, agencies can convert high-performing employees to permanent status after three months instead of six. The change allows faster appointments but does not make conversion automatic.

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The law also adds apprenticeship and skills-based routes into public service and extends veterans’ hiring preference to spouses of active-duty service members. JoinNC, formerly Temporary Solutions, will provide applicant support and job matching for permanent and non-permanent positions.

Lawmakers passed the measure unanimously, and Gov. Josh Stein signed it in July. State officials describe the changes as an effort to fill vacancies and retain employees.