Workplace Excellence and Equal Opportunity
At the North Carolina Department of Commerce, we are committed to maintaining a professional workplace where every employee is treated with fairness, respect, and dignity. We strive to ensure our employment practices are consistent with state and federal law and provide every employee with the opportunity to contribute and succeed.
Commerce serves businesses, workers, and communities across every region of North Carolina. By fostering a workplace grounded in professionalism and accountability, we strengthen our ability to deliver excellent service and support the state's continued economic growth and competitiveness.
The Office also provides support to the Commerce Employee Engagement Council, helping strengthen communication, recognize employee contributions, and promote professional development opportunities across the department. These efforts contribute to a positive workplace culture and support the goals of the First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan by strengthening Commerce's workforce and organizational effectiveness.
Our commitment to equal employment opportunity helps us attract and retain a talented workforce while encouraging collaboration, innovation, and high performance across our organization.
Why It Matters
A strong workplace supports a strong economy. Employers recognize that fair employment practices and professional workplaces help attract and retain talented workers, strengthen organizational performance, and support long-term business success.
Businesses also consider the overall business climate—including workforce quality, public institutions, and employment practices—when making decisions about where to invest, expand, or create jobs. By maintaining high standards of professionalism, fairness, and equal employment opportunity, North Carolina supports a competitive environment for employers and workers alike.
For the Department of Commerce, these principles help us:
- Recruit and retain talented employees.
- Foster a professional, respectful, and productive workplace.
- Encourage collaboration, innovation, and strong organizational performance.
- Deliver high-quality service to North Carolina's businesses, workers, and communities.
- Support North Carolina's long-term economic competitiveness.
By upholding high professional standards and ensuring equal employment opportunity in accordance with the law, Commerce strengthens its ability to serve North Carolina's businesses, workers, and communities while advancing the goals of the State’s First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan.
Additional Information
Betty Marrow-Taylor
Chief Culture & Community Engagement Officer | Biography
betty.marrow-taylor@commerce.nc.gov
Mose Dorsey
Compliance Officer
mdorsey@commerce.nc.gov
Kelly Gamble
EEO Officer
kelly.gamble@commerce.nc.gov
2026 OSHR Holiday Schedule
Notable Observances
JANUARY
National Braille Literacy Month
National Braille Literacy Month recognizes and honors the legally blind and visually impaired. The mission of this month is to raise awareness of the importance of Braille to the blind and visually impaired community. Learn more about National Braille Literacy Month.
World Braille Day (January 4)
Created in honor of the birthday of Louis Braille, who was born on January 4th, 1809. Learn more about World Braille Day.
Dia de los Reyes/Three King’s Day (January 6)
Holiday observed by Eastern and Western Christians that recognizes the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus 12 days after his birth. Culturally significant in some Latin American countries (and Spain) and is celebrated differently in each country. Learn more about Three King’s Day.
Lunar New Year (January 29)
Festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. One of the most sacred of all traditional Asian holidays, a time of family reunion and celebration. Learn more about the Lunar New Year.
FEBRUARY
Black History Month
Black History Month recognizes the history, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans to our nation and the State of North Carolina. Learn more about Black History Month.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11)
A day to recognize the role that women and girls play in science and technology. Learn more about International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
International Mother Language Day (February 21)
A day that recognizes languages and multilingualism. Learn more about International Mother Language Day.
Maha Shivarati (February 26)
Hindu festival celebrated each year to honor Lord Shiva. It is celebrated just before the arrival of spring. It is also known as the Great Night of Shiva or Shivaratri and is one of the largest and most significant among the sacred festival nights of India. Learn more about Maha Shivarati.
Ramadan (Evening February 28 – March 29)
An Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer and devotion to Islam. Dates are dependent on the moon cycle and may vary across countries. Learn more about Ramadan.
MARCH
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Recognizes the contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities and promotes awareness of the importance of accessibility and opportunity. Learn more about Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Women’s History Month
Women's History Month recognizes the many contributions women have made to our nation's history, economy, government, and communities. Learn more about Women’s History Month.
Ramadan (Evening February 28 – March 29)
An Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer and devotion to Islam. Dates are dependent on the moon cycle and may vary across countries. Learn more about Ramadan.
Ash Wednesday (March 5)
1st day of Lent on the Christian calendar. Its name is derived from the symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence. It takes place immediately after the excesses of the two days of Carnival that take place in Northern Europe and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Learn more about Ash Wednesday.
Lent (March 5 – April 17)
In the Christian church, a period of penitential preparation for Easter. In Western churches it begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40-day fast (Sundays are excluded), in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Learn more about Lent.
International Women’s Day (March 8)
Recognizes the achievements and contributions of women around the world. Learn more about International Women’s Day.
Deaf History Month (March 13 – April 15)
This observance celebrates key events in deaf history, including the founding of Gallaudet University and the American School for the Deaf. Learn more about Deaf History Month.
Equal Pay Day (March 15)
Equal Pay Day is an annual observance that highlights discussions about pay equity and compensation in the workplace. The date varies from year to year. Learn more about Equal Pay Day.
World Down Syndrome Day (March 21)
A global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Learn more about World Down Syndrome Day.
The CCE Office supports the First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan by fostering a professional workplace and strengthening Commerce's ability to serve North Carolina's businesses, workers, and communities.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of language proficiency, have access to its services and resources. Read the strategies that Commerce is implementing with its Language Access Plan.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is proud to present its 2026 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Plan. This plan reaffirms our commitment to fostering a workplace that is fair, accessible, and free from unlawful workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and without barriers to equal employment opportunity. Read more about our pledge.