The North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act covers staff who sustain an injury or become ill as a result of on-the-job work. In accordance with this act, Duke staff will not be paid for the first seven calendar days of disability following the injury or illness. However, if the injury or illness results in a disability lasting more than 21 days, staff will be paid from the date of the disability. Staff who are absent due to compensable injuries may use accrued PTO, sick leave, vacation time, or earned discretionary holidays to cover the work-time missed during the seven-day statutory waiting period.