North Carolina Appeals Court Rejects Labor Department Appeal
The court denied the department's attempt to reverse a ruling in favor of a former employee who was fired.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Jobs — General
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The North Carolina Court of Appeals has denied the state Labor Department's request to challenge a ruling that previously favored employee Beth Benson. The court dissolved a temporary stay, affirming a prior decision that the department lacked just cause for her 2026 termination.
Why it matters
The ruling settles a legal battle regarding employment termination procedures within state agencies. It highlights the judicial oversight applied to personnel decisions when departments allege policy violations by long-term workers.
The dispute involved allegations of personal web browsing over a period of 20 workdays. Beth Benson has more than 20 years of total experience working for North Carolina state agencies.
The players
Beth Benson
She is a long-term state employee who currently works at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
North Carolina Court of Appeals
This is the intermediate appellate court that reviews decisions from administrative agencies and lower trial courts.
North Carolina Department of Labor
This state agency is responsible for enforcing labor laws and overseeing workplace safety and employment standards.
The details
The Labor Department had dismissed Benson in January 2026, alleging she violated the Acceptable Use Policy by searching for jobs during work hours. However, an administrative law judge ruled in September 2026 that there was no just cause for her dismissal, a decision the Appeals Court has now refused to block.
Timeline
Beth Benson began her career with North Carolina state agencies in 2004.
The Labor Department dismissed Beth Benson in January 2026.
An administrative law judge issued a final decision in favor of Benson on September 16, 2026.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued orders rejecting department requests on October 23, 2026.
Market Landscape
This case centers on the interpretation of North Carolina's Acceptable Use Policy within the public sector workforce. The ruling marks a judicial limit on how state agencies can enforce such internal policies to justify the termination of long-term employees.
Public employees across North Carolina may see this as a precedent for how internal policy violations are reviewed in legal settings. It emphasizes the importance of documented just cause in maintaining job security within state departments.
The takeaway
The court's decision underscores the necessity for state agencies to meet clear evidentiary standards before terminating long-term staff. Employees should remain aware of agency-specific Acceptable Use Policies to ensure their workplace activities remain compliant.
Further reading
For more context on the state employment environment, visit the Jobs — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Carolina Journal.
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