How hard is it to reach N.C. unemployment office? Even a top lawmaker canât get through. Even lawmakers can't get through to N.C. DES By Nick Ochsner | April 12, 2021 at 6:01 PM EDT - Updated April 12 at 7:53 PM RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) - Paula Holdaway worked as a substitute teacher and at Loweâs until the pandemic struck last year. With classes moving on-line, teachers didnât need Holdaway to fill in anymore. And her doctor told her to stop working at Loweâs due to a medical condition that would make her more susceptible to the impacts of COVID-19.