Mole v. The City of Durham

**What Happened** Sergeant Mole, a police officer with the City of Durham, was fired from his job and sued the city. He claimed the termination violated his constitutional rights in three ways: it denied him proper procedures before firing (due process), treated him unfairly compared to others (equal protection), and wrongfully took away his ability to earn a living from his work. **What the Court Decided** The North Carolina Court of Appeals gave Mole a partial victory. The court threw out his claims about improper procedures and unequal treatment, saying those arguments didn't hold up. However, the court allowed his third claim to proceed – that the city violated his state constitutional right to benefit from his work and labor. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling is significant because it recognizes that North Carolina's state constitution may protect workers' right to earn a living from their labor. While this case specifically involves a public employee, it could potentially strengthen protections for workers who believe they were wrongfully terminated in ways that interfere with their fundamental right to work and support themselves. The decision suggests courts may be willing to consider broader constitutional protections for workers beyond traditional employment law.