North Carolina's general statues provide the commissioner with wide-ranging regulatory and enforcement powers to tend to the welfare of the state's workforce.

With the aid of a chief clerk and other appointed assistants, the commissioner of labor statistics gathered information on workers' hours, wages, education, and finances.

[12] In 2005, Berry began placing her photo on labor department inspection certification forms in elevators in North Carolina.

[13] The move garnered increased public attention to herself and the commissioner's office, and earned her the moniker "elevator queen".

[16] Her successor, Josh Dobson discontinued the practice of putting the commissioner's photo on elevator inspection certifications in 2023.

[18][19] Article III, Section 7, of the Constitution of North Carolina stipulates the popular election of the commissioner of labor every four years.

[21][22] The North Carolina Department of Labor is by law tasked with ensuring the "health, safety, and general well-being" of the state's workforce.

[23] North Carolina's general statutes grant the commissioner of labor wide-ranging regulatory and enforcement powers.