Summarize: You may not be discriminated against (fired, not promoted, demoted, or otherwise treated negatively) due to your: filing a worker's compensation claim, making a complaint under state or federal wage payment claims, making an OSHA complaint, engaging in "concerted activity,"* or opposing practices which are illegal under state or federal law. You may also not be fired due to: being HIV positive, having sickle cell trait, smoking not on the employer's premises, or for taking or requesting FMLA leave if you are eligible. * "concerted activity" is when 2 or more employees get together to discuss or complain about working conditions or pay. If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of age (over 40), handicap, race, religion, or national origin or for opposing illegal discrimination, you must in most cases file with the EEOC within 180 days. If you believe you have been retaliated against for filing a Workers' Comp claim, an OSHA Complaint or complaining about illegal wage practices, you should file a complaint with the NC Department of Labor within 180 days. Retaliation for concerted activity should be reported to the National Labor Relations Board