North Carolina

North Carolina's Gov. Cooper issuing paid parental leave order

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is using the power of his pen again to promote policies his administration considers supportive of women in the workplace and family-friendly.

Cooper's office said the Democratic governor on Thursday will sign an executive order addressing paid parental leave.

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In recent months, Cooper signed orders addressing protections for pregnant state employees and the pay gap between female and male state workers.

One order requires agencies under Cooper's control to provide workplace adjustments to pregnant workers unless it would impose an undue hardship on the organization. The other prevents agencies in his administration from reviewing salary histories of job applicants.

That prohibition is designed to narrow pay inequities based on gender.