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Louisiana labor laws balance the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers while providing employees with fair treatment and a safe workplace. By establishing these rules, you can check the minimum standard for wages, hours, and benefits. While these rules are established at the federal law level, states are free to develop their own base set of employment laws. Louisiana is no exception in this respect.
Additionally, employees should understand their rights in order to protect themselves from unfair treatment and abuses otherwise allowed under the State of Louisiana labor laws.
In this guide, we provide an overview of some key aspects of Louisiana labor and employment law, including wage laws and protections for employees.
Standard Working Hours & Wages
If you hire in Louisiana, you must follow federal wage laws since the state does not have its own minimum wage.
Minimum Wages
Louisiana has no minimum wage law, which means that employers must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at the federal level.
As such, the minimum wage in Louisiana is the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 per hour. Local governments are not permitted to set a minimum wage for their municipalities.
The FLSA has exceptions:
Any employee who is under the age of 20 may be paid a subminimum wage of $4.25 per hour for the first 90 consecutive days of their employment. After that time or when the employee is 20, they must be paid the full federal minimum wage.
Overtime Laws
Louisiana does not have a state law regarding overtime. In Louisiana, employers must follow the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Under the FLSA, nonexempt employees must be paid 1.5 times the employee’s regular hourly wage for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Overtime pay can be unavoidable, either meeting a deadline for work or because someone is out of the office, and the employee must cover their shift. Because of the different ways overtime pay can arise, employers must ensure that employees are correctly classified the overtime.
Tipped Minimum Wages
In Louisiana, employers abide by federal regulations for tipped employees set forth in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). When an employee customarily receives greater than $30 per month in tips, the employer is allowed to pay the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 per hour.
Break And Rest Laws
The Labor laws of Louisiana on employee breaks are limited. There are no mandatory Louisiana labor laws breaks for adult employees. Employers are not required to provide breaks during the course of the workday; however, many employers provide breaks in their workplace policies.
The rules are stricter for minors. If a minor is under 16 years of age, the law requires the employee to have a 30-minute meal break if they work 5 or more consecutive hours.
For employers who are covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and provide breaks, federal law controls those breaks.
Under federal law:
- A break of 20 minutes or less is legally considered time worked.
- A meal period that lasts 30 minutes or longer does not need to be paid time when the employee is relieved from duty during that time.
Employe Compensation
Louisiana does not have a comprehensive state law applicable to all businesses regarding the frequency or method of payment to employees. The Louisiana labor laws salaried employees applicable to certain businesses are as follows:
- Employers in the mining and manufacturing sector with 10 or more employees must pay employees at least every 2 weeks.
- If the employer does not designate specific paydays, employees must be paid as close as practicable to the 1st and 16th of the month.
To protect workers, Louisiana labor laws for hourly employees that all new and returning employees receive written notice from the employer of the following information:
- The frequency of pay.
- The wage rate.
- The method of payment.
In addition, the employer must post the Timely Payment of Wages notice in the workplace to inform employees of their rights as a workforce.
Leave Laws In Louisiana
Louisiana Labor Laws 2025 includes a combination of federal law and state-specific law. State of Louisiana labor laws do not require vacation, holiday, voting, bereavement, or general sick leave, but there are rules relevant to the employer/employee relationship.
| Type of Leave | Details |
| Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) | Qualified employees are allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for their own serious health issue or to care for a family member with a serious health issue. |
| Military Leave | Federal law and Louisiana’s Military Service Relief Act allow the employee to return to work within one year of the employee’s military service. The employer may not discharge the employee during this year, except for cause. The employee will continue to accrue vacation and other benefits. |
| Jury Duty Leave | Employees are allowed to be paid for up to one day of being on jury duty, and the employer may not count that time against vacation or sick leave. |
| Emergency Response Leave | First responders, who include fire fighters, police officers, and medical personnel when they respond to emergencies, are allowed leave. |
| Pregnancy Disability Leave | If pregnancy results in a complication or disability, the employee is entitled to use up to 4 months of additional leave. |
| Sick Leave | Louisiana does not require employers to provide either paid or unpaid sick leave. However, if an employer has a sick leave policy in place, it must be applied consistently and fairly. |
While Louisiana does not require many types of leave that are required in other states, certain protections.
Child Labor Laws
Louisiana establishes various regulations to establish norms of employment opportunity for young workers. The minimum age to work in Louisiana is 14, except in narrow situations.
All workers who are under the age of 18 must obtain an employment certificate before starting work. To obtain the certificate, the employer must fill out their part of the Application to Employ Minors Under Age 18.
A minor is not legally allowed to be employed in Louisiana without an employment certificate. Children aged 12 and 13 may work only in limited circumstances. The business must either be owned by the child’s parent or legal guardian, or the business must be partly owned by the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Workplace Safety
Louisiana has not enacted its own workplace safety laws, so private employers must comply with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). OSHA has strict standards that protect workers from unsafe conditions, and employers must follow those rules by law.
Under OSHA, employers in Louisiana must do the following:
- Provide a workplace free of recognized hazards.
- Comply with all OSHA safety regulations and standards.
- Train employees on workplace safety in a manner they are able to understand the training presented to them.
- Keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Report deaths to OSHA within 8 hours.
- Report serious injuries or in-patient hospitalizations within 24 hours.
- Post the official OSHA workplace safety poster where employees can see it.
Workers can file confidential complaints if they think their workplace is unsafe online or through the OSHA Baton Rouge Area Office.
Taxes In Louisiana
Louisiana’s tax system consists of a blend of state income taxes and corporate taxes, as well as state, local, and city sales taxes and property tax obligations that residents and businesses need to consider.
Louisiana has a graduated income tax with tax rates based on an individual’s income level, both voluntary and otherwise, that range from 1.85% to 4.25%.
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Curious Minds Also Ask
How many breaks are in an 8-hour shift by law in Louisiana?
Minors under the age of 16 can take 1 break, having a 30-minute break after 5 consecutive hours of work. Other than that, employees are not obligated to get a break.
How many hours can you legally work in a day in Louisiana?
There is no daily cap for work hours, but after 40 hours in a workweek, overtime is paid.
How do you file a complaint against an employer in Louisiana?
OSHA or the Louisiana Workforce Commission is the place where you can file complaints about safety issues.
What is considered wrongful termination in Louisiana?
The retaliation, discrimination, or breach of employment contracts is considered wrongful termination.
Is 32 hours full-time in Louisiana?
Although full-time is not defined by Louisiana labor law, most employers consider 32–40 hours to be full-time.
What are the labor laws in Louisiana?
In addition to some state-specific leave and termination regulations, the state complies with federal wage, overtime, and safety laws.
Does Louisiana require PTO payout?
Employers who provide PTO are required to reimburse unused time at the conclusion of employment.
Can you sue your employer in Louisiana?
Employees may file a lawsuit for unsafe working conditions, discrimination, retaliation, or wage disputes.
Does Louisiana require a termination letter?
No, unless company policy mandates it, employers are not obligated to provide a termination letter.
How long does an employer have to pay you after termination in Louisiana?
By the following payday or within 15 days, whichever comes first, final wages must be paid.
What is the new salary law in Louisiana?
Louisiana has no state-specific wage laws; it abides by the federal FLSA salary regulations.
Does Louisiana have paid sick leave?
Employers must adhere to their stated policies, but paid sick leave is not mandatory.
Can I sue my employer for emotional distress in Louisiana?
Employees may file a lawsuit if their distress is connected to unlawful activity, harassment, or discrimination.
What is a hostile work environment in Louisiana?
Serious or widespread harassment or discrimination that interferes with employment is referred to as a hostile work environment.
Is Louisiana a pay-out state?
Yes, if company policy permits it, employers are required to pay accrued vacation time and earned wages.
What are the termination laws in Louisiana?
Since Louisiana is an at-will state, workers may be terminated at any time unless there are legal violations.
What qualifies as harassment in Louisiana?
Unwelcome behaviour based on protected characteristics that makes the workplace hostile is known as harassment.
Can you sue for a toxic work environment in Louisiana?
No, employers aren’t required to provide a termination letter unless company policy requires it.
Can you sue for emotional distress in Louisiana?
Claims for emotional distress that are connected to illegal workplace practices are legitimate, yes.
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Louisiana in 2025?
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Louisiana does not have its own state minimum wage. Employers must follow the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour, unless federal law changes.
Does Louisiana require paid sick leave for employees?
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No, Louisiana labor laws do not mandate paid sick leave. However, employers may choose to provide it as part of their benefits policy.
Are Louisiana employers required to provide meal or rest breaks?
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Louisiana law does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks for adult workers. If breaks are offered, short breaks (usually 20 minutes or less) must be paid.
What are the overtime rules in Louisiana for 2025?
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Louisiana follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, unless exempt.
