Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
This Rule addresses requests for fee reimbursement by an
applicant who accepts employment, the compensation for which is based, in whole
or in part, on commission and who pays a fee based on the commission-based
earnings.
(1) Complaints Against
Employers:
(a) Filing the Complaint. Any
applicant using a private personnel service desiring to file a complaint
involving a fee reimbursement from an employer in accordance with
G.S.
95-47.3A(a) shall file a
written complaint with the Commissioner, signed before a notary public. The
complaint shall be filed either within 60 days of the date last employed or
after one year of employment, whichever is earlier.
(b) Contents of the Complaint. The complaint
shall state the name and address of the employer complained against, the
licensee's name and address, and shall fully detail the nature of the
complaint.
(c) Copy of Complaint to
Employer. When a complaint is filed, the Commissioner shall serve a copy of the
complaint upon the employer complained against either personally, by certified
mail, by overnight express, or faxed as long as the employer acknowledges
receipt. Likewise, the Commissioner shall send a copy of the complaint by the
same means to the licensee responsible for making the placement. The employer
and the licensee shall respond to the complaint within 10 days of the receipt
of the complaint. The response shall include copies of all written receipts and
agreements which either the employer or the licensee has in its possession
concerning the particular complaint and other material as requested by the
Division.
(2) Complaints
Against Private Personnel Services:
(a) Filing
the Complaint. Any applicant using a private personnel service desiring to file
a complaint involving a fee reimbursement where the private personnel service
is responsible for any potential fee reimbursement in accordance with
G.S.
95-47.4(h) shall file a
written complaint with the Commissioner, signed before a notary public. The
complaint shall be filed either within 60 days of the date last employed or
after one year of employment, whichever is earlier.
(b) Contents of the Complaint. The complaint
shall state the name and address of the licensee complained against and shall
fully detail the nature of the complaint.
(c) Copy of Complaint to Licensee. When the
complaint is filed, the Commissioner shall serve a copy of the complaint upon
the licensee complained against either personally, by certified mail, by
overnight express, or faxed as long as the licensee acknowledges receipt. The
licensee shall respond to the complaint within 10 days of the receipt of the
complaint. The response shall include copies of all written receipts and
agreements which the licensee has in its possession concerning the particular
complaint and other material as requested by the Division.
(3) Investigation:
(a) The Commissioner shall investigate the
complaint to determine whether the applicant is entitled to a fee
reimbursement.
(b) If the employer
is liable for a potential fee reimbursement, the burden of proof is on the
employer to show that a statement by the employer in the licensee's written job
order of potential or anticipated commission-based earnings is realistic under
the circumstances.
(c) If the
private personnel service is liable for a potential fee reimbursement, the
burden of proof is on the private personnel service to show that a statement in
the licensee's written job order of potential or anticipated commission-based
earnings is realistic under the circumstances.
(d) In addition, the Commissioner may
consider such factors including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) What compensation other people in the
same job as the applicant are making or have made;
(ii) The market and economy;
(iii) Competition.
The Commissioner shall look at these factors in the context
of the complainant's job training, relative experience, number of hours worked,
number of calls made in person or over the phone, and a determination of the
complainant's ability and effort to do the job.
(4) Determination. The
Commissioner shall make a determination within 60 days from the date of the
filing of the complaint and shall notify both the complainant, and either the
licensee or the employer, as is appropriate, of the determination.
(5) Hearing:
(a) Request for Hearing. Either party may
file a written request for a hearing before the Commissioner within seven days
from the receipt of notice of the Commissioner's determination.
(b) Notice of Hearing. Notice of the hearing
shall be given in accordance with
G.S.
150B-38.
(c) Conduct of Hearing.
(i) Parties may appear in their own behalf or
be represented by counsel. When an attorney represents a party, he or she shall
advise the Commissioner of his or her name, address and telephone number in
advance of the hearing as soon as practicable after assuming
representation.
(ii) All witnesses
at the hearing shall testify under oath or affirmation.
(iii) The Commissioner may issue subpoenas
requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and take depositions as
deemed necessary.
(iv) Within 30
days after the conclusion of a hearing, the Commissioner shall render a
decision in writing. Copies of the Commissioner's findings and order shall be
sent by certified mail to the parties.
(v) A party aggrieved by the Commissioner's
decision may seek a review of the decision in accordance with
G.S.
150B-43 through
G.S.
150B-52.
Authority
G.S.
95-47.3A;
95-47.9;
Eff. February
27, 1995;
Pursuant to
G.S.
150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without
substantive public interest Eff. July 22,
2018.