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Louisiana Labor Laws 2025

Louisiana labor law primarily follows federal standards with minimal state-specific employment requirements. The state does not have its own minimum wage law or require meal breaks, relying on federal FLSA protections.

Note: Louisiana follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. The state has minimal additional labor law requirements beyond federal standards, though it has specific wage payment timing rules.

Minimum Wage

Louisiana does not have a state minimum wage law and follows federal minimum wage requirements.

Key Requirements

  • No state minimum wage - federal minimum wage applies: $7.25 per hour
  • Tipped employees: $2.13/hour cash wage (with tip credit to reach $7.25)
  • All employers covered by FLSA must pay federal minimum wage
  • Some exemptions for certain agricultural workers and small farms
  • Most Louisiana employers are covered by federal FLSA

Additional Resources

Overtime

Louisiana follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA with no additional state requirements.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws
  • Workweek is seven consecutive 24-hour periods

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Louisiana does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks for employees of any age.

Key Requirements

  • No state law requiring meal breaks
  • No state law requiring rest breaks
  • No meal break requirement even for minors (unlike most states)
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided
  • Nursing mothers have right to express milk (federal requirement)

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Louisiana has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least twice per month
  • Wages must be paid within 24 hours of employee demand if employee leaves employment
  • If employer terminates employee: wages due immediately or by next business day
  • Regular paydays must be designated by employer
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Louisiana has restrictions on youth employment, particularly during school hours.

Key Requirements

  • Minors under 14: Generally prohibited from employment except family businesses, agriculture
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: No hour restrictions but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Federal child labor laws apply in addition to state requirements

Additional Resources

Right to Work

Louisiana is a "Right to Work" state with constitutional protection.

Key Requirements

  • Employees cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment
  • Employers cannot require union dues or fees as a condition of employment
  • Protected by Louisiana Constitution Article I, Section 17
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • Constitutional protection makes it difficult to overturn

Additional Resources

Unique Wage Payment Timing

Louisiana has specific requirements for final wage payment that are more stringent than most states:

  • Employee quits: Must be paid within 24 hours of demanding payment, or by next regular payday if no demand
  • Employee discharged: Wages due immediately or by next business day
  • This is faster than most states that allow payment by next regular payday

Louisiana Constitutional Right to Work

Louisiana has strong Right to Work protections in its state constitution:

  • Protected by Louisiana Constitution Article I, Section 17
  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Constitutional protection makes it more difficult to overturn than statutory law

Federal Laws Apply

Since Louisiana has minimal state-specific labor laws, employers must focus on federal compliance:

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act governs minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and youth employment.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected leave for eligible employees.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.

Title VII

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ensure Federal Labor Compliance

Even in states with minimal additional requirements, Rightwork ensures your schedules comply with all federal labor laws and helps manage final wage payment timing.

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