I work for a staffing agency in North Carolina. There are several women who work as contract workers who plan to take maternity leave. They are told that they will not be hired back after their leave. In one case already, a woman took a short medical leave (problems due to pregnancy) and was not hired back. These women have worked as contract workers for this company for over a year. What are their legal rights?

Had they worked more than 1,250 hours in the year immediately preceding the leave? Was there an assignment to go back to?

How many employees does the employer have within a 75-mile radius? Thanks.